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House that Barks

Living a life all about Dogs

3 Pet Shampoo, Dog Leash and Collar Cleaner Recipes

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My dog is the one that finds the most disgusting stuff to roll in. Seriously, if there’s poop, she will find it and roll in it!

After noticing how dirty my dog’s collar was, I quickly got into the habit of washing her collar every time I gave her a bath.

Have you ever thought about how dirty your pets leashes and collars are? How smelly your dog can get?

You’ll love these Pet Shampoo, Dog Leash and Collar cleaner recipes. Give them a try.

At first, I wondered how in the world could I clean this dog’s collar.

A washing machine was a good idea, and I wanted to use natural cleaners just like to do the rest of my house.

I love having a home that is clean and doesn’t smell like dogs by using natural products.

I wanted something that would clean my dog’s collar like I cleaned my home.

Natural dog shampoo

 Why using all natural cleaning products on your pets and pet collars is better

 
While over the counter, chemical cleaners do kill germs. Have you ever looked at the back of the bottle of commercial cleaning products? 
 
Most of them have names I can’t even recognize. 
 
Do you know what is inside of phthalates, triclosan, Quaternary, Ammonia Compounds, etc?
 
This doesn’t even include all the artificial dyes and fragrances.
 

I tried using “green” eco-friendly products. But wasn’t impressed, most of them didn’t seem to work well.

 
This led me to research homemade cleaning products for my dogs and for my home, but I hated that vinegar smell. I found that by mixing them with essential oils, I didn’t have that smell. 
 
I have been working with these products for well over year. Not only has it saved me money, but my home smells clean and fresh.
 
My dog smells good any time you come over.
 
By using these all natural homemade cleaning products, the first time I wash my dog’s collars and leash I was shocked at how much dirt accumulated on them.
 
 

Types of Organic Products and Supplies

 With basic household stuff, I can go to my pantry at any time and mix up dog cleaners, shampoos or air fresheners.
 
 

 The Basics to Keep on Hand

Distilled water:
 
I use distilled water in every product that goes into a bottle for my home and my pets. You want to look for labels for distilled water.
 
Purified, spring water can introduce bacteria you stay set out too long. This is why you’ll always want to choose distilled water.
 
Baking Soda:
 
Baking soda is a naturally occurring mineral deposit. Because it’s abrasive, its great for cleaning dirt on any surface. 
 
It’s odor absorbing, which makes it especially useful in bathrooms and kitchens.
 
Vinegar:
 
I’m used different forms of vinegar. Everything from plain white vinegar to apple cider vinegar. Any of it will do. 
 
Vinegar is a natural cleaning miracle. Especially effective when mixed with baking soda, it cleans dirt and messes.
 
Essential Oils:
 
Essential oils add beautiful scents to all your cleaning products. This includes dog shampoos and perfumes. 
 
As you begin using essential oils, you’ll begin building your collection. 
 
I recommend that you start with these basics.
 
Clove:
 
With it’s antiseptic and antioxidant properties, Clove kills mold and fungus.
 
Eucalyptus:
 
Eucalyptus works wonders for opening your sinus. 
 
It has antimicrobial properties and up reduces odors.
 
 Lavender:
 
Lavender and has wonderful relaxing and calming properties. It’s great for reducing stress.
 
An added bonus is that bugs don’t like it.
 
Lemon:
 
Lemon is a natural disinfectant that kills odors and dissolves grease.
 
It’s a scent that smells like over the counter cleaning products.
 
 Lemongrass:
 
I love the woodsy – citrus scents of lemongrass. It is high in antioxidants and minerals.
 
As a natural cleaner on top of a stress reliever, the woodsy the scent is one of my favorites.
 
Peppermint: 
 
Peppermint always reminds me of Christmas. I love its refreshing scent. It mixes well with vinegar and is a natural bug repellent.
 
Tea Tree: 
 
This is not only an actual cleaner, but it helps repel bugs. People even use it for treating hair lice, its properties are so powerful.
 
Castile Soap:
 
Castile soap is biodegradable, non-toxic and vegetable based. It comes in liquid or bar form. I generally always use the liquid.
 
Glycerin:
 
Glycerin comes from vegetables. It helps to make a gel-like consistency with my recipes.
 
It helps to draw moisture to your skin, which is why you’ll see it in a lot of beauty products.
 
 
 

My all natural cleaning solution for smelly dogs leash and collars

Washing a dog leash
Washing a dog leash
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All Natural Dog Leash and Collar cleaner

Keyword dog leash cleaner, dog collar cleaner
Author Ruby Doodle Dog

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp Castile Soap
  • 2 drops Lavender essential oil
  • 2 tbsp Baking Soda
  • 2 cups Hot Water
  • 1 cup Vinegar (optional)

Instructions

  • Place 2 cups hot water into a bowl.
  • Add 1 tsp Castile Soap, 
  • Add 2 tbsp Baking soda and stir
  • Place 2 drops of lavender essential oil ( can be substituted with your favorite oils)
  • Place leash and collar to soak for about an hour. 
  • Use a toothbrush or a small kitchen brush to clean the grime off the leash and collar
  • If the water becomes grimy and dirty, throw it out and start again until the water is clear. 
  • Lay the leash and collar flat on a towel to dry naturally. 
    ** I recommend leaving this to dry overnight.**
  • To give your leash and collar an extra boost of cleaning power, rinse it in plain vinegar in a separate bowl from the hot water cleaning solution. 

How to dry your pets leash and collar

It’s important after washing your dog’s leash and collar that you allow time to dry.

Air drying is the best way to dry your leash and collar.

Putting this inside of a dryer can potentially damage the appliance, besides the loud clanging noise which can destroy your appliance.

The best way to dry your dog’s leash and the collar is laying on a towel.

Paper towels will work, but it will take a lot of paper towels. It’s much easier to use a regular bath towel.

The first thing you want to do is take your leash and collar and wrapped a towel around it, moving in a downward motion to get as much liquid out as possible.

Once you’ve done that, you can lay your leash or collar flat on the towel to dry or hang it over a chair to dry.

By getting out as much water and dirt, your dog’s leash and collar will be usable for years to come.

Pretty Puppy Homemade all natural Pet Shampoo

Bathing a dog all natural shampoo

Have you noticed how expensive pet shampoos are? Ridiculous, right!

After researching and experimenting with different recipes I found the perfect combination that lathered my dog’s coat, deep cleaned her and didn’t strip the natural oils out of my dog’s coat.

It worked for my dog’s itchy skin in the summer months.

Tree tea oil soothed her coat and inflamed skin.

The peppermint oil smelled so good, very refreshing.

When using essential oils you’ll want to keep them diluted.

Homemade dog shampoo
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Homemade All Natural Puppy Dog Shampoo

Author Ruby Doodle Dog

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Castile soap
  • 1/2 cup distilled water
  • 3 drops tea tree oil
  • 3 drops peppermint oil
  • 2 tbsp glycerin

Instructions

  • Using a 16 oz bottle. Mix Castile soap into the distilled water. 
  • Add glycerin into the mixture
  • Add drops of tea tree oil and peppermint oils. 
  • Shake well. 
  • Pour this onto your dog just as you would when washing your own hair. 
  • Keep out of your dogs eyes. 

Secrets the Groomer uses to make our dog’s coats smell so great!

Dog perfume

When I picked up my dog from the groomer the other day, I know she smelled absolutely wonderful.

My dog has allergies to commercial dog shampoo, so I always made my own for the groomers to use on her.

She was always soft and fluffy after getting a bath at the groomers, but I always noticed how good she smelled afterward.

Turns out they made their own all natural mixture with essential oils. 

After making sure she was completely dry, they would spray this in and brush her.  It was heaven; she smelled absolutely wonderful.

I now make this at home and put it into a 12-ounce spray bottle.

I brush her out weekly and spray her with this all natural mixture to keep her smelling fresh and wonderful.

It works as both a coat conditioner and perfume. It really helps to hold down any doggie smell inside my house.

Please try it and let me know how you like it. I know you’ll love it.

DO NOT USE THIS RECIPE ON CATS, IT DOESN’T WORK AND CATS.

THEY ARE SENSITIVE TO ESSENTIAL OILS.

dog shampoo
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All natural Dog perfume spray

Keyword dog perfume, all natural dog spray
Author Ruby Doodle Dog

Ingredients

  • 1 cup boiled water, cooled I use distilled water
  • 1/4 cup jojoba oil This helps condition their coat.
  • 3 drops tangerine essential oil
  • 3 drops geranium essential oil
  • 1 tsp glycerin

Instructions

  • Simply mix all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake.
  • Spray onto your dog’s coat and brush really well. 
  • DO NOT USE ON CATS

Cleaning the grime out of your dogs bowls naturally

I have really hard water at my house.
 
My dog’s bowls get this layer of build up on the bottoms and sides within a day or two, even though I change her water bowl every day. Sometimes twice a day.  Do you have this problem?
 
Even when my dog had plastic bowls it would stick to the sides and bottoms. I moved to stainless steel bowls, but it didn’t stop the problem.
 
In using a vinegar solution you’ll see it will work great on my dog’s bowls. Vinegar is safe for your pets.
 
Because your dog drinks out of these bowls, you’ll want to avoid using essential oils when cleaning your bowls. The essential oils can make your dogs sick.
 
I prefer using this mixture to an over counter dishwashing soap, which can be harmful if our pets ingest the mixture.
 

Enjoy this recipe.

 
Homemade Dog Bowl Cleaner
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Homemade Dog Bowl Cleaner

Author Ruby Doodle Dog

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Hot Water
  • 1 cup Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Baking Soda

Instructions

  • Heat water on the stove until boiling. 
  • Add Vinegar
  • Pour in the baking soda
  • Shake until mixed. 
  • Pour into the dog bowl and let sit for up to an hour. 
  • Rinse really well under water. 
 

All Room Natural Air Spray

Homemade Dog room freshener
I love this homemade all-natural air freshener. I love the smell of lemongrass and eucalyptus oils.
 
This spray works wonderfully in the rooms where dogs hang out.
 
The lemongrass and eucalyptus make the rooms smell fresh and clean. It’s also antibacterial properties help to keep the rooms clean.
 
Give this a try and let me know what you think.
dog shampoo
Print Pin

Homemade Room Freshener and Cleaner

Author Ruby Doodle Dog

Ingredients

  • 4 oz distilled, boiled and cooled water
  • 4 oz witch hazel
  • 15 drops lemongrass essential oils
  • 15 drops eucalyptus essential oils

Instructions

  • Boil and cool the distilled water. 
  • Add the witch hazel. 
  • Add lemongrass and eucalyptus essential oils
  • Mix well by shaking. 
  • Spray around the entire house, especially where the dog’s hang out. 

A few cautions on using natural products and essential oils

 Even though these products are natural, there chemical reactions that can be harmful

  • Never but let your pets drink the cleaning products or ingredients.
  • Keep all products out of your pet’s eyes.
  • Never mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
  • You should never and comment bleach or a monument to any of these formulas. Especially those with vinegar.
  •  Mixing Castile Soap with vinegar will cancel each other out. Always use common sense and be cautious when mixing ingredients. Do not continue to use if you notice any information or skin redness on your pets.

Related Posts: 

wash dogs leash and collar
 
 
 

 

Other posts you might enjoy:

Dog Shampoo Recipes

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