8 Baking Soda Uses for Pet Messes and Odors

Being an animal lover I know the messes and odors you can end up with when a furry friend takes over your, uh, lives in your house with you. Baking soda can be an indispensable product when you have pets. If you always have it on hand you will never have to worry about pet odors when you invite company over. Plus, it is safe for your pet and the environment.

Clean plastic pet toys - Those rubber bones and plastic kitty balls often take a germy beating, inside and out of the home. With a solution of baking soda and water (4 tablespoons baking soda 1 quart water) wash your pets plastic or rubber toys. It is a lot cheaper and safer than bleach.

Clean stuffed pet toys - First, distract your pet and then sneak the toy away from them. While your pet is off looking for their favorite missing stuffed toy, dust the stuffed animal all around with baking soda. Hide it out of your beloved pets sight for 20 minutes and then dust the toy off by shaking then and lightly beating (for lack of a better word) them. Make sure you pet doesn't see you doing that part.

Pet accident - After cleaning up the pets accident and making sure it is dry, pour baking soda on the spot where the accident was and let it sit for at least 20 minutes and then vacuum it up. It help remove the odor so it doesn't attract your pet again.

Pet beds - While your pet is playing and not ready for a rest dust baking soda liberally all over the entire pet bed and let it sit for at a minimum of 20 minutes. Then, take the bed outside and the shake the baking soda off the bed and beat out the rest, similar to beating out a rug.

Dry bath for a dog - In between beauty salon bath appointments for your dog you can give him or her a dry bath to keep their coat fresh. Sprinkle baking soda all over your dog and rub it all over into their fur (most dogs love that part.) Then brush it out with their normal brush.

Cat litter boxes - When you are first starting a fresh litter box, lightly pour baking soda at the bottom of the litter box before adding cat litter. For a continuously used litter box you can also add baking soda to the top of the litter, by dusting it over the top. Do it once a week or so, as it is continuing to be used.

Deodorize couches - Of course, Fido and Fifi have their own personal pet beds but how many time do you find them lounging on the couch with you? To help deodorize you couch dust baking soda all over the sofa. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, then vacuum the couch.

Freshen carpets - With your pets having free roam of the house, especially if they go outdoors, lots of smelly things get tracked in. Sprinkle baking soda all over the carpeting and vacuum it up after 20 minutes. It will help deodorize and freshen the carpet.