Providing your dog with access to a kennel gives him or her a safe place to call their very own. Unfortunately, dog kennels can become dirty very quickly. To ensure that your pet's health isn't compromised by a dirty kennel, it's essential that you take the time to clean the kennel on a regular basis.
Here are three natural products you can use to help disinfect your dog's kennel in the future.
1. Vinegar
Using harsh chemicals to clean your dog's kennel could cause your pet to develop allergies or lead to skin irritation. Reaching for some vinegar instead of bleach will help you protect your pet while disinfecting his or her kennel.
Vinegar contains 5% acetic acid, which allows it to kill off any microbes that could be lurking within your dog's kennel. If you are worried about the smell associated with using vinegar as a cleaner, opt for white vinegar instead of the apple cider variety. White vinegar has a milder smell than apple cider vinegar, though both are odorless when dry.
2. Borax
While borax is commonly used as a laundry detergent, it can be used to clean your dog's kennel as well. When combined with hot water, borax has the ability to transform some water molecules into hydrogen peroxide molecules. Borax also has the ability to inhibit the metabolic process of some microbes, preventing them from growing or multiplying.
Using a solution of hot water and borax to disinfect your dog's kennel is a great way to get the kennel clean without resorting to chemicals that can irritate both yours and your dog's skin.
3. Essential Oils
Essential oils are becoming more popular among homeowners who want to live a more natural lifestyle. When it comes to cleaning your dog's kennel, essential oils can prove to be a useful tool for disinfecting the kennel without harsh chemicals.
Research shows that cinnamon oil and thyme oil vapors are effective when it comes to inhibiting the growth of the bacteria strains responsible for E. coli, strep, staph, and influenza. Using these essential oils to clean your dog's kennel is a natural way to protect your pet against exposure to harmful bacteria in the future.
Keeping your dog's kennel clean is essential when it comes to health and wellbeing of your pet. Using harsh chemicals to clean can be dangerous, so finding natural alternatives is advised. Try using vinegar, borax, or essential oils to give your dog the disinfected kennel that he or she deserves in the future.
To learn more, contact a company like Parkland Kennels West Inc.