Protect your family and pets by using these alternatives when cleaning your home
Whether a cat, dog, bird or lizard, all pet owners want to keep their animals safe from harm. What many pet owners don’t know, however, is many common, household cleaning supplies are extremely harmful to not only themselves, but their pets.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that levels of air pollution inside your home are typically 2-5 times higher than outdoor pollution. This is mostly due to the residue from cleaning solutions lingering in the air. So, if your pet spends most of the day indoors, they are breathing in air that can cause detrimental damage to their health.
Avoid harming yourself and your pets by opting out conventional house-hold cleaning supplies with these harmful ingredients, for inexpensive, easy, and all natural solutions!
1. Ammonia
Typically found in most oven, window and stainless steel cleaners, ammonia is a highly irritating chemical to the skin and body if consumed. It can cause significant respiratory damage to both humans and animals, as well as burning and itching on the skin.
Solution: Opt to use this super simple, at-home cleaning solution: Mix soap, coarse salt, and baking soda into a paste and slather it on your oven, or any kitchen surface. Let the paste sit up to an hour. Then simply wipe it away with a mixture of water, white vinegar, and a scrub brush for tough grime or stains.
2. Bleach/Chlorine
Bleach is a common ingredient found in almost all cleaning supplies. But it’s also one of the most dangerous. Bleach is used in toilet bowl cleaners, mildew removers, detergents, and all-purpose cleaners. If consumed, your pet can experience vomiting, diarrhea, burns, seizures and in severe cases death.
Solution: As one of the most common but dangerous chemicals found in everyday cleaning products, bleach is easily substituted for a much safer, eco-friendly, and cheaper option. Simply add water and vinegar into a spray bottle and you have yourself a safe and effective all-purpose cleaner.
3. Phthalates
More commonly known as the fragrance in cleaning supplies, phthalates can be found in deodorizers as well as almost all house-hold cleaning solutions. They have been scientifically proven to cause various forms of cancer in animals if consumed or inhaled.
Solution: Instead of using products with harmful chemical fragrances, opt for a simple solution of baking soda in any jar or container. Simply place the container of baking soda in your fridge, freezer, bathroom or just about anywhere to get rid of bad odors. The baking soda absorbs any harsh odors in the air, leaving the area smelling fresh and clean. You can also add essential oils to homemade cleaning solutions for an all-natural aroma without any harsh chemicals.
4. Glycol Ethers
This is a toxic chemical found in many house-hold cleaners including spot removers, carpet cleaners, glass cleaners and liquid soap. It is proven to cause significant liver, nerve and digestive damage to humans and animals if ingested.
Solution: Avoid harming yourself and your pets by substituting your normal glass cleaning solution with a simple mixture of water and lemon juice! This all-natural solution will leave your windows shiny and streak-free without any harsh chemicals. For a stronger solution, you can also add vinegar or rubbing alcohol to the mixture for tougher stains and grime.
5. Formaldehyde
Another common ingredient in cleaning solutions, formaldehyde can be found in almost all general cleaning products, plug-in fragrances, paper towels, hand soap and even pet shampoo. Over exposure to this toxic chemical can result in severe eye and skin irritations.
Solution: Substitute cleaning products containing formaldehyde with a solution of water, baking soda and tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an all-natural antiseptic that is safe on all surfaces including human and animal skin. Use this mixture to get rid of mold and mildew in bathrooms or use it on just about any surface for a clean and fresh smelling finish.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
