Our furry family members mean the world to us, why wouldn’t we use pet safe cleaning products in our homes? Not everyone has kids and lets face it, some days we’d rather the only kids we have are furry…I’m kidding, kinda.
Seriously though, most of us would probably rather spend our days with our pets rather than peopling outside so shouldn’t we know what’s in the products we use around them?
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Are Cleaning Chemicals Harmful to Pets?
They can be. Depending on what you’re using. Most of the common household cleaners found in homes are not only toxic to humans but to our pets as well.
Most common household cleaners leave behind product residue which can not only be harmful to animals (and humans) because it can be absorbed into their skin but product residue also attracts more dust and dirt which means you’re cleaning more often and no one’s got time for that.
Animals have a smaller lung capacity and a faster metabolism which means they breath more rapidly and process chemicals at a faster rate than humans.
Just like babies and toddlers, pets tend to investigate with their noses and mouths so it’s imperative that we know what we’re using in our homes.
And if you have cats, they are always grooming themselves which puts their tongues into contact with practically anything floating in the air that has settled onto their fur or the floor.
RELATED: Best Non Toxic Floor Cleaner Around Pets
What Cleaning Products are Harmful to Pets?
I spend a lot of time talking to people about household cleaning products and one question that always comes up is which cleaning products harmful to dogs (or cats, birds, guinea pigs, etc)?
The short answer is all of them, unless a product is labeled safe for pets.
Our pets spend most of their time low to the floor if not on the floor which means they are absorbing chemical residue and chemical fumes more frequently than us humans are.
And I’m going to guess most don’t wear socks or shoes so their skin (paw pads) are in contact with the floor constantly.
Unless you have already gone through your cleaning supply cabinet and pulled out anything that isn’t labeled safe for pets, keep on reading. We can’t do better until we know better.
Chemicals that are Toxic to Animals (and Humans)
I think it goes without saying if a chemical is harmful to us as humans, it’s most likely harmful to animals as well.
So let’s look at this, animals can make a lot of messes. We have fostered a few dogs and of course been foster failures so no matter if the dog is new to our home or been around a while, there’s bound to be a day when it’s raining out and they decide it’s a good day to pee or poop inside.
When this happens, our first instinct is to grab a disinfectant.
The most common disinfectant people turn to is bleach. Slow down though, are disinfectants harmful to pets?
Again, the short answer is yes.
When you look at the cleaning products you use in your home, you want to look out for these ingredients:
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is used for disinfecting as well as whitening and brightening so it’s typically found in toilet bowl cleaner, all purpose cleaners, disinfecting wipes, tile cleaners and laundry detergent, well, and of course straight up bleach.
Ammonia
Ammonia, also known as ammonium hydroxide can do damage to eyes, stomach and skin as well as potentially cause death. Ammonia is commonly found in oven cleaner and can be found in window cleaners as well.
Glycol Ethers
You’ll see these listed as 2-Methoxyethanol, 2-Ethoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol. Typically they are found in products used for cutting grease.
These chemicals are linked to birth defects, cancer, delayed development, eye and nose irritation and more.
Formaldehyde
It’s not just for embalming. You’ll see it listed as:
- Formalin
- Formic aldehyde
- Methanediol
- Methanol
- Methylaldehyde
- Methylene glycol
- Methylene oxide
Formaldehyde can be toxic if absorbed by the skin (paw pads) or inhaled and can cause cancer. Can be found in dishwashing liquid and fabric softeners.
RELATED: Why Microfiber is the Best Pet Safe Cleaning Product
If you must use chemical cleaning products, follow these tips from the Humane Society for how to keep your pets safe.
Pet Safe Cleaning Products
So what are you supposed to use? Anything that is labeled as pet safe is probably a good bet but you’ll mostly find that on products made for cleaning up pet messes. Like when your doggo decides to pee in the house because it’s snowing outside.
Enzyme based cleaners are typically your best bet because enzymes break down and remove stains and odors at their source. Hint…they work great for kid messes as well…for the same reason.
Pet Safe Cleaning Ingredients
If you have white or apple cider vinegar, baking soda, dish liquid, lemon juice and salt, you’ve got most of what you need.
Vinegar
Vinegar is effective at killing bacteria and microbes as well as having anti-fungal properties. Don’t like the smell of vinegar, no worries, it will dissipate as it dries.
Caution with vinegar, it can cause stomach distress, mostly in small dogs. If you were to spill some or your pet licked the surface before it was dry, it could be a problem.
Baking Soda
You’re probably familiar with using baking soda to absorb odors but it can also be used as a mild scrubbing agent.
Caution with the baking soda, if you spill any on the floor, don’t let your pet lick it up, it can cause stomach distress.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has the same acidic properties as vinegar but not as strong.
None of these will leave behind a residue so you won’t have to worry about pets absorbing it through their paws.
DIY Pet Safe Cleaning Solutions
Pet Urine
I was given this “recipe” from the bulldog rescue we volunteer with and it has worked every time:
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tsp baking soda
- small squirt of dish liquid
Use a paper towel or towel to soak up the urine. Mix the 3 ingredients together and pour on top of the stain. Cover the spot with a wash cloth or towel, let sit until it dries/overnight and vacuum up.
We have a light off white carpet so it’s not an issue but test in an inconspicuous space because the hydrogen peroxide can lighten the carpet/rug.
Caution with hydrogen peroxide, it is used to induce vomiting in dogs so it’s probably best to block off the area of the ‘potty accident’. I’ve never had a problem with any of our dogs going near ‘the site of the potty accident’ but better safe than sorry.
All Purpose Cleaner
Mix together equal parts vinegar (either apple cider or white) and water and shake. If you want a bit more power, add a bit of lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.
Window and Mirror Cleaner
This one is easy, mix equal parts water and vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
Bathroom Cleaner, Countertops, Pots, Pans
Mix together as a paste, baking soda, warm water and salt and you’ve got a great abrasive for the areas that typically need a bit of scrubbing.
Toilet Cleaner
Grab the kids, this toilet cleaner is safe for pets and will be so much fun. Have your kids ever made a volcano at home? This is like the ultimate science experiment for kids. Add half a cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl, then a cup of vinegar and watch the volcano erupt. Let it sit for a bit, 5-10 minutes. Finally, scrub it clean with a toilet brush.
You can do something similar in a clogged drain as well. When our bathroom drains get clogged, I fill the drain with baking soda (about 1/2 – 1 cup). Then pour boiling hot water over it and let it go to work. Let it sit about 10-15 minutes and flush with hot running water. If it’s super clogged, you might need to repeat a few times.
Floor Cleaner
Finally, mix together vinegar and water and you’ll have a floor cleaner.
Disclosure: I am a Norwex Independent Consultant, I will earn a commission from anything purchased via the links on this page at no additional cost to you. All opinions stated here are my own and not to be confused as company statements.
Top Pet Safe Cleaning Products Recommendation
Aside from the ‘pet urine cleaner’ I shared above, we use Norwex microfiber for most all our cleaning. When you’re cleaning with a cloth and water, you never have to worry about toxins.
All Purpose Cleaner
All you need is an EnviroCloth and water and you can clean probably about 80% of your home. Cleaning with microfiber is a mechanical way of cleaning as opposed to cleaning chemically. If you’re not familiar with how microfiber cleans head here to find out why it is a safer, easier way of cleaning. No product residue left behind.
Window and Mirror Cleaner
Paper towels and newspaper leave behind streaks and smears. Use a damp EnviroCloth to clean windows, mirrors and anything you want to shine, then follow with the Window Cloth to dry. No product residue left behind.
Kitchen Counters
Use a damp Kitchen Cloth or a damp Counter Cloth to mechanically (physically) remove dirt, germs, debris, etc from the kitchen counters. No product residue left behind.
Pots/Pans and Scrubbing
When srubbing is needed, I use a SpiriSponge with dish soap. I’ve never had it scratch anything and I’ve used it on a glass top stove, non stick ceramic pans, stainless steel pans, etc.
Bathroom Counters and Toilet Cleaner
In the toilet I use Bathroom Cleaner, it’s non-toxic, super concentrated and can be diluted in a spray bottle with water to use on counters and other surfaces. For the counters, I use the diluted Bathroom Cleaner with either an EnviroCloth (mentioned above) or an EnviroScrub (which has some added srubbing power).
Floor Cleaner
Let’s face it, everyone is looking for a good mop that’s durable, effective and easy to use. I use the Norwex Superior Mop System on my hardwood and tile floors. One microfiber pad is used dry for dusting, grabbing pet hair, etc and another is used wet for cleaning. Just the microfiber and water – the perfect non toxic floor cleaner to use around people and pets.
Lastly, a must have product when you share your home with pets and/or kids – Norwex Odour Eliminator. Remember I mentioned enzyme cleaners up above? This is an enzyme based cleaner that attacks odors at the source and eliminates them with the power of enzymes.
It comes highly concentrated so I dilute some in a spray bottle with water to use in the trash can or where ever there’s a funky smell in the air. I also spray it on upholstered furniture to get rid of funky dog smell. A capful goes in the laundry with pet bedding as well as my teenagers laundry…LOL.
Even if you you don’t care about your own health, do better for your pets.
Comment below and let me know what type of pet you have.
Share this with a friend who welcomed a new pet into their home or anyone you know with pets.
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