Persian cats are among the most popular cat breeds around the globe, with approximately 20,000 registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2014, one of the largest international cat registries. Keeping these beautiful felines healthy is a priority for cat lovers, but maintaining a clean family home with all the fur that accumulates, the litter that can get scattered through the house (not to mention the occasional vomit caused by fur balls) can be a challenge. When it comes to cleaning up after your cat, and the rest of your family, what you are using to clean each surface can have serious implications for your cat’s health.

Many household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals and artificial fragrances that aren’t good for your family’s health but can be even more dangerous for your Persian who is less able to cope with the toxins. Cats are also particularly susceptible given that they groom themselves regularly by licking and will ingest anything that has come into contact with their fur or feet. Cleaning products that contain phenols, bleach, formaldehyde and isopropyl alcohol (known as rubbing alcohol) are particularly dangerous if ingested by cats. Meanwhile, the chemicals and fumes in these products can cause also cause your cat to have a severe allergic reaction. Fortunately, there are now a number of safe and eco-friendly cleansers that you can use around your home that will protect the health of your beloved Persian.

You can easily make your own homemade cleaning solutions that are just as effective as the big-name brands but are less expensive and gentler for your pets. You’d be surprised what you can do with baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and even olive oil. Effective to use to give your surfaces a quick wipe down or a thorough scrub, these ingredients work well together to create effective and pet-safe cleaners. Combine vinegar with salt to make an effective surface cleaner, while you can remove bad odors from carpets with baking soda. Baking soda and water make a great cleaner for baby bottles, meanwhile, combining olive oil with lemon juice works as a great furniture cleaner.

There are a number of cleaning products now on the market that uses natural, gentle ingredients that are cat-friendly while also doing a great job of getting rid of stains, smells and bacteria. For your surfaces, Mrs Meyer’s Clean Daily Multi-Surface Cleaner combines essential oils, garden-inspired scents with plant-based ingredients that are effective to use on all non-porous surfaces and of course completely cat-safe. Nature’s Miracle makes a great deep cleaning carpet shampoo that can lift off stains and odors while completely feline-friendly. The phosphate-free and the low-foam formula contain bio-enzymatic odor locking technology that penetrates deep into the fibers and upholstery to remove stubborn stains. For your laundry, choose a detergent that is gentle on your clothes as well as your cats. Common Good has created a laundry detergent that is safe for cats, children and the environment. Containing no harsh chemicals, brighteners or synthetic fragrances, it’s made from plant enzymes that dissolve fats and breaks down starches to leave your laundry fresh and clean.

Whether you buy prepared products or make your own, you can keep your home healthy and clean for all the family, especially your cats, by taking extra care with the products you use.