In this day and age, with germ warfare at an all-time high, it seems there is a new cleaning product on the market every day. One will get rid of grease faster than the next, while another will sanitize your floors, walls, and air so everything is safe to touch and breathe. In theory, this is a great thing that is supposed to make the world a healthier place. However, in practice, most of the current cleaners on the shelves are even more toxic than the hazards they are trying to destroy. Your dog is especially at risk of coming in contact with these toxins around the house. For example, it is not likely that you will lick the bottoms of your feet, but there is a good chance that your dog will lick his. Any chemicals that are used directly on the floor or land on the floor as a result of being sprayed will end up in your dog’s internal system.
Commercially produced cleaners are certainly the most convenient but have the highest percentage of toxins. Here is some information to keep in mind when selecting a commercial cleaner:
Paradichlorobenzene is a common ingredient in moth repellents and is a key ingredient in many air fresheners. This chemical is known to cause cancer in animals.
Perchloroethylene is used in dry cleaning, and studies have shown that it too causes cancer in animals. If you get your clothes back from the dry cleaner and there is any odor, simply remove them from the plastic bag and air them out outside until the odor disappears. Do not put the dry cleaning in the closet right away in the plastic bag, as you and your dog will end up breathing in these toxic vapors.
Phenol and cresol are both toxic compounds found mostly in products used to disinfect, deodorize, and sanitize. Pets can be particularly sensitive to phenol compounds and can become very ill with any exposure.
Always read ingredients lists, and keep an eye out for essential oils and ingredients that you recognize. Keep in mind that the term “natural” is not regulated by the FDA or any other administrative body and is often used to market products that contain toxic ingredients like the ones listed above. And finally, it does not take much to clean most areas of your home unless it is very dirty, so you should not have to succumb to using toxic chemicals in most cases.
No matter what types of cleaners you use, it is important to keep them stored in a safe and effective way, so they remain out of reach of children and pets. Keep them in locked cabinets, preferably ones not located at ground level. Utility rooms where there is ventilation and the substances are out of reach of small hands, paws, and long, pink tongues are ideal. If you do not have a separate space, though, you can store these items in galvanized metal containers, with holes punched in the sides for ventilation, or in mesh baskets that zip closed or have lids to secure them. Most cleaners should be kept in spray bottles or glass jars with tight-sealing caps.
Use doormats at all entryways to help remove dirt and debris from your shoes and your dog’s pads.
Keep entryways swept or hosed off to minimize the tracking-in of outside dirt.
Remove or clean shoes upon entering the house.
Keep a basket of towels by all entrances to wipe your dog’s feet as she enters the house, especially if she has been running through muddy or wet areas.
Vacuum often, preferably with a vacuum cleaner that is fitted with a HEPA filter system. (HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance; this type of dry-media filter captures 99.97 percent of particles 0.3 microns and larger.)
Brush and bathe your dog regularly.
Keep your dog’s food and water dishes clean at all times.
Refresh your dog’s water several times a day. Use filtered or bottled water.
Eliminate carpeting where possible. Carpets hold dirt, flea larvae and fleas, and mold. Synthetic carpets can off-gas (release chemical fumes), creating a toxic environment for you and your pet.
Reduce your dependence on potentially toxic cleaners by switching to homemade cleansers when possible.
Keep your house well ventilated to reduce indoor air pollution. Air filters are useful throughout the house.
When you want to have a sense that your home is clean, you want it to smell good, too. All too often, though, we cover up the odors in our homes with sprays and chemicals that quickly mask the smells, but that endanger the surroundings by leaving a film on surfaces. Or the products themselves may contain harmful aerosols.
Pet odors in the home can become overwhelming at times and truly make you feel like your house is not clean. Here are a few simple tips to maintaining a fresh and clean-smelling environment.
• Natural essential oils can help keep your home smelling fresh. Use these solutions as a refresher, after you have done your deeper cleaning. Simply place a few drops of any of these in a pint of water, fill a spray bottle with the solution, spray onto a cotton cloth, and give your surfaces a quick once-over, just to add a refreshing fragrance to the air.
Lavender; Rosemary; Thyme; Citronella; Eucalyptus; Sage; Mint; Lemongrass; Lime; Orange; Grapefruit; Lemon; Pine; Wintergreen; Cypress
• Simply place a few drops of lavender essential oil on the inside of the cardboard toilet paper tube. Each time you spin the tube, it will release the fresh, relaxing scent of lavender into the room. You can also use eucalyptus, rosemary, or any essential oil that you prefer.
• Hang some cut branches of eucalyptus, rosemary, or lavender inside the shower. The steam will allow the branches to emit their natural scent more strongly than usual.
The alternative to seeking out safe and effective cleaners is to make them yourself. Here is a list of the various areas of your home and how to clean them safely for you and your pet.
