Sunny Fitzgerald
Schick says even products labeled as “natural” aren’t always a safe bet, either, including essential oils, which can irritate airways and even exacerbate asthma. A good rule of thumb: “Don’t let your pets ingest anything you wouldn’t eat!” she says. “Carefully read the labels of everything you use in your home to ensure no harmful ingredients are present.”
Tonya Harris, an award-winning environmental toxin expert and the founder of Slightly Greener, recommends scanning labels and avoiding products with the following ingredients:
Even products with none of the above listed on their ingredients can pose some risk to your pets, as labels can be deceiving.
“It’s sometimes hard to know exactly what ingredients are in cleaning products,” Harris says. “That’s because the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] requires companies to only disclose active disinfecting ingredients and ‘chemicals of known concern’ on their labels.
“The problem here is that there aren’t any testing requirements for most of the chemicals in cleaning products — by the companies or the EPA. And companies aren’t required to disclose their ingredients, because formulations are considered to be proprietary.”
In addition, pets are often curious by nature and may be tempted to sniff, lick or swallow cleaning products they find around the house.
Harris recommends you minimize risk, even with products that appear to be safe, by:
When our beloved pets are the ones creating the mess, a cleaning product that’s tough on stains and stink (even that dreaded cat urine) yet gentle on the pets creating them a must.
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator is Certified Safe by the Carpet and Rug Institute. It’s guaranteed to remove pet stains and odors from carpets and upholstery as well as pet carriers, kennels, concrete, and tile — or this family-run business of 15 humans, five dogs, and one cat will refund your money. We tried it — it works!
Made for animal lovers by animal lovers, a plant-based Bean & Lilly Floor Cleaner can be used safely on all flooring surfaces. Inspired by and named for the founders’ family dogs, this floor-cleaner is gentle for people, pets and the planet. It’s biodegradable and Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free.
As one Amazon reviewer writes, “I am very sensitive to artificial strong fragrances and my dog is allergic to everything. I tried this product and found the fragrance very subtle and the product does not bother my dog at all. I have hardwood and marble and have had no issues with it leaving streaks or film — just a nice clean.”
Although you can make your own (Harris recommends 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar), sometimes streaks are an issue with DIY glass cleaners. Enter Aunt Fannie’s Glass & Window Vinegar Wash.
This plant-based solution cleans safely, gently, and sans streaks. It also works on chrome, light fixtures, and stainless steel. It was awarded the highest health and safety rating by the Environmental Working Group.
Better Life also makes an All-Purpose Cleaner that can tackle soiled surfaces, including countertops, tables, showers, toys, and even boats, cars, and sporting equipment. The unscented cleaner contains no synthetic fragrances, dyes or harsh ingredients, so it’s safe around children and pets.
As one Amazon reviewer writes: “I was looking for a safe, natural product that didn’t have any ingredients requiring a hazardous waste disposal label. A lot of so-called ‘natural’ cleaners have ingredients that need an EPA use and disposal label. This doesn’t. It is strong enough to really go through grease and grime like a clear, organic tornado.
“I haven’t found anything that can’t be cleaned with it yet. Plus it’s odor-free, unlike Simple Green which has a heavy scent. And, I feel comfortable spraying it in places where pets, children or myself in bare feet might absorb it by stepping in the residue.”
Harris recommends keeping Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Pure Castile Soap on hand. A little bit of this concentrated, organic, and biodegradable soap goes a long way. Dilute it for use all around the house, from the shower to the laundry, floors to sinks, and even dishes, humans and pets.
You can feel good about your clean house and your purchase. Dr. Bronner’s aims to support people and the planet — “farm to the shelf to shower” — paying fair wages and using recycled bottles and healthy ingredients.
Pets and children seem to spend a fair amount of time sprawled out on floors and furniture, so carpet and upholstery cleaners are essential.
Developed by a team of chemists, evaluated by medical doctors, and tested by parents, Puracy’s Professional Carpet Cleaner is guaranteed to remove stains and odors from washable surfaces while keeping the human and fur children (and your wallet — no professional cleaning bill!) safe.
The best way to know what’s in your cleaning products is to make them yourself. Schick recommends these DIY options to get you started: