Cleaning up after our fur babies...naturally

Keeping a home with pets is a constant cleaning process.  And many offices now allow our best friends to come to work with us.  Here are some helpful, natural cleaning solution's to get you through some smelly or hairy situations at home and at the work.  
Trying to avoid products that can be potentially harmful to you and your pets is easier then you think.  Most of the products are cheap and easy to pick up at most stores.
Accidents and simple spills
Baking soda works great on spills on the carpet.  Just sprinkle a little on the spot, let it sit for about an hour, then vacuum it up.  Club soda also works quickly on getting wetness to bubble up so you can lightly scrub it lightly and soak it up with paper towels.  Vinegar and water are handy to keep in spray bottle to deodorize areas.  Two cups of water to one tablespoon of white vinegar.
For messy hard floors you can combine 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of lemon juice to a bucket of hot or warm water and mop those pet stains that you missed while they were wet.
We have a new puppy in the house so I am using these methods frequently.  Just when  I think we have this outside business down, I sleep in an extra 10 minutes and we have to start all over again.   Aww... the joys of pet ownership!    
Smelly pet beds and blankets
Sprinkling baking soda on your dog or cat beds and letting it sit for at least 15 minutes before you vacuum it up will help get rid of the smell.  ( This works in cars and on furniture also)
​Baking soda sprinkled in your kitty litter also helps with eliminating odor.  Does anyone else buy the big 15 pound bag of baking soda at Costco?  I use it for everything from the pool to the pets!  Just be sure to get a shopping cart when you need it,  that's a lot of bulk packed in that little bag.  
One of those days...
You got up late and just don't have time to wash your hair so you pull out your dry shampoo in a can.  (This stuff works great!)  Here is a simple solution for your pets on those days that they could use a little refresh without hauling them into the bathtub.   Sprinkle a mixture of baking soda and baby powder onto their coat and brush them until it's gone.  (This would probably work for humans too if your out of dry shampoo?!)
For the globs of hair that our cats leave behind on furniture, a simple cheap pair of rubber gloves works fantastic.  Just roll up the hair and remove.  I store these under cushions or in areas where the critters leave behind the most hair for a quick clean up.
Pets bring so much into our lives that we couldn't live without them.  But, having a good broom, dust pan and vacuum are essential to pet ownership.  Our dog's constantly show us how much they love the toys we bring them by shredding them all over the house. (And I do mean ALL over the house!!)  I hope these few simple solutions make your lives easier, and by using natural cleaning products we won't hurt the environment, ourselves or our furry friends.
Let us know if you have any tips or tricks that work with your pets.  We are always looking for quick and easy solutions so we have more time to play ball!