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Be sure to see the update on canine parvovirus and MRSA below.

The Healthier Alternative for Cleaning Your Dog’s Kennel

Part 1 – Cleaning a Professional Boarding Kennel

I have read many articles that give you step-by-step instructions on cleaning either a single kennel/crate used at home (home) or a professional boarding kennels (professional). In Part 1 of this series we will discuss cleaning methods for the professional boarding kennel. When discussing boarding kennels most of these articles suggest separating the cleaning process into the age or condition of the dog, such as, puppy, adult dog and sick or injured dogs. This is not only a good idea when cleaning it is also a good idea at all boarding times.

However, all of the articles I have read make the same mistake…they tell you what chemical-based cleaners to use and in what proportion to water. The problem with this is that some dogs, actual quite a few, can be harmed by the very chemical-based cleaners you are using to clean their kennels. In addition, many of the people cleaning the kennels have allergies to chemical-based cleaners that can be aggravated while using chemical-based cleaners.

There is an alternative to chemical-based cleaners. That alternative is cleaning with only water. Doesn’t sound like that would work does it? Well, it will work just fine if you incorporate a steam cleaner into your cleaning regimen. One of the many benefits of using a steam cleaner is that it uses only normal tap water heated to temperatures of at least 212 Fahrenheit. Most steam cleaners heat water to 275 to 325 to insure that the steam vapor kills all fleas, flea larvae, bacteria, germs, mold and mildew in and around the kennel.

When cleaning a professional boarding kennel I recommend using a two-step cleaning process that includes both a pressure washer and a steam cleaner. The pressure washer can use either cold or hot water and can be powered by either gas or electricity. I have no preference when it comes to cold or hot water because the steam cleaner will provide the heat necessary to sanitize and disinfect the area being cleaned. However, I do recommend an industrial electric pressure washer because it is quieter than a gas pressure washer and much more environmentally friendly.

The first thing you should do is to makes sure the dog is removed far enough from the kennel to not be in the way while cleaning. Once the dog is removed start the industrial electric pressure washer and begin moving the debris and waste to one corner of the kennel where it can be scooped up and removed. If the walls of the kennel are concrete or a similar material, I would recommend thoroughly washing them down with the pressure washer removing any lose particles that may have found their way to the walls.

As you are cleaning with the pressure washer the steam cleaner should be plugged in and heating. Once you have completed your cleaning with the pressure washer it is time to turn to the steam cleaner. For this article we will assume you are using the Ladybug® Tekno Model 2350 TANCS® Equipped Trolley Package to clean your kennel.

To begin cleaning with the steam cleaner I would recommend you use the rectangle brush and start by steam cleaning the walls and ceiling of the kennel. The next step would be to steam clean the floor of the kennel. Go over both surfaces thoroughly not missing any spots on either the walls or the floor to be certain you are eliminating all fleas, flea larvae, bacteria, germs, mold and mildew in and around the kennel.

Once you have completely cleaned the walls and the floor with the rectangle brush I recommend that you remove the rectangle brush and replace it with one of the small round brushes. The 30 mm brash brush is good if the kennel is a typical concrete kennel. With the 30 mm round brass brush you now want to thoroughly steam clean all of the corners in the kennel where the walls meet and where the walls meet the floor and ceiling. These are grounds where nasty little things can gather and grow and eventually have a negative effect on the dog that occupies the kennel.

After completing your cleaning with the steam cleaner the kennel may still be somewhat wet. This wetness is not from the steam cleaner since the steam is only about 5% water. The wetness is left over from using the pressure washer. If there are any puddles of water you may want to sweep them out with a broom and then allow some time – depending on the weather perhaps 5 to 15 minutes – for the kennel to dry before putting the dog back.

One person should be able to clean a single kennel in approximately 10 to 15 minutes while two people – one using the pressure washer and one following on with the steam cleaner – should be able to finish in half that time. Once completed, a kennel cleaned in this manner would be clean enough for the dog’s owner to sleep in, let alone the dog.

Ladybug Steam Vapor Cleaners Campbell Hausfeld CP5321

Update

Canine Parvovirus and MRSA are a major concern for kennels and veterinarian clinics. Once your kennel or clinic is infected it can be difficult to get rid of. In the past it was recommended that you use chlorine diluted with water but you had to be certain of the dilution rate. Even if you have the dilution rate correct chlorine can be very harmful to the animals in your care, particularly to their reproductive system.

You no longer have to worry about using chemicals to disinfect from canine parvovirus or MRSA…now you can use a Ladybug steam cleaner equipped with TANCS. A Ladybug steam cleaner equipped with TANCS is the only non-chemical disinfection system certified effective by the EPA. And Ladybug steam cleaners equipped with TANCS have been tested by an independent lab and certified effective against both canine parvovirus and MRSA. The test results are available below.

Thanks to Ladybug steam cleaners you now have a safe, effective and chemical-free way to eliminate parvovirus and MRSA. Not only is it safe for people and animals it is also environmentally friendly.

For additional information about Ladybug steam cleaners equipped with TANCS and how they can help you clean and disinfect a veterinary clinic or a kennel please feel free to call us at 1-866-981-6271 to speak with one of our specialists.

Canine Parvovirus Report
N_6 MRSA Report
N_9 MRSA Report

Canine Parvovirus News

Ladybug steam cleaners equipped with TANCS have been tested and certified effective in killing canine parvovirus. Click here for a copy of the report.