D.I.Y. - Mean Green Kennel Cleaners

 BY: THE FIT DOG

Being eco-friendly and having a clean, smell free kennel or dog run is actually a pretty easy feat. Many commercial kennel cleaners have harsh chemicals that you can't actually use around your pet. You either have to let it completely dry or you have to do a second rinse before allowing your dog back into the area. It's kind of scary thinking that we use something that could potentially hurt our pets so I've complied a few kennel cleaner recipes that will clean, disinfect and deodorize!

How do natural cleaners work?

Well, in most natural cleaners you use basically the same ingredients and the big one is natural acids like Lemon and Vinegar. Acids break down materials and naturally kill bacteria. Baking soda is also often used for deodorizing. Castile soap is frequently used which is a vegetable based detergent.

#1.  Cement Kennels/Gravel Dog Runs

     1 part distilled white vinegar
     1 part water
     Baking Soda
Directions:  Sprinkle baking soda throughout the dog run. Mix water and vinegar. You can either spray down the dog run or use a hard bristle brush for cement kennels to spread vinegar and water mixture. The vinegar and baking soda will react and start to foam. The foaming action will bring up dirt and soil while the acid in the vinegar eats away at urine and germs. The baking soda will work on odor. Once the foam has done down just rinse away.

#2. Hard Surface Kennel Soft Scrub
        2 cups baking soda
        ½ cup liquid castile soap
         5 drops peppermint oil

Mix all ingredients together for a naturally disinfecting and deodorizing scrub for many hard surfaces.

#3.  Lawn Rinse

       1/2 cup baking soda
        10 drops peppermint oil & rosemary
       Add distilled water and spray down your lawn to safely get rid of pet odors. Peppermint and rosemary are a natural antibacterial keeping this formula acid free for delicate plants and finishes.

#4.   Lemon Rinse
        1 cup Lemon juice
        1/2 cup baking soda

   Dilute with water and spray down. No need to rinse away. Can be used on many surfaces.

#5   Acid Wash

        Un-diluted distilled white vinegar or lemon juice. (you can ruin certain finished if left un-rinsed)