Pet-safe floor cleaning

Marseille soap, liquid black soap, or a steam mop (the best option as you don't get any product build-up that makes the floor sticky).

However, definitely no essential oils around cats. I've heard they don't have the enzymes to break them down, so they're very dangerous.

Hi, I think the cleaning company in Bordeaux that comes to my place uses Marseille soap on my floors.

HELLO!

Yes, I'm the same—I was looking for a non-toxic product and I've gone with what was recommended to me: liquid black soap. Just make sure you read the label carefully; avoid the supermarket versions as they often contain chemicals and essential oils which are dangerous for cats.

You want the completely natural stuff. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention brands, but there is a brand called Marius Fabre who have a website; their soap is 100% natural and olive-oil based (and from what I've read, it's non-toxic if ingested).

I'm actually surprised that some vet advice sites recommend Marseille soap flakes, because it's far too harsh and can be dangerous if swallowed.

Even if you rinse the floor afterwards, there's always a bit of residue left, and my cats love sleeping directly on the floor (despite having mats and beds) because of the heat.

And yes, a steam mop is a great idea, but it's a bit too aggressive for lino flooring.

Thanks.

For instance, I had to use some adhesive remover in one of the rooms. I then cleaned it with white vinegar and soap flakes, followed by a hoover, then water and soap flakes again, and I repeated the whole process. I’ll keep the room closed off tonight, though.

Hi there,

All the products you’re planning to use are completely non-toxic to cats, so you can mop your floors with them without any worries. Generally, the instructions for use depend on the concentration of the products, so I’d recommend checking the label on each one to make sure you're using them correctly.

If you’d like to disinfect your floors as well as clean them—which is recommended at least once a month when you have pets—you can use diluted bleach to kill off the vast majority of germs. Just be sure to dilute it with cold water. Usually, it’s suggested to mix about two cupfuls of bleach into 10 litres of water, apply the mixture, and then rinse the floor 5 minutes later.

Juliette