We know that it is very important to clean our houses properly these days because this is the only way the new coronavirus can be killed, but you have to use the right products and make sure that you are not endangering your beloved furry friends. 

Of course, buying the right cleaning products is not an easy task, because you have to choose some products that contain strong chemicals that can kill almost all microbes and germs, but also make sure that they are not harmful to your pets. Moreover, the main rule that you should always keep in mind when buying cleaning products is to realize that what may be good for you is not always good for our pets. 

So, here are some cleaning products that should not be used around animals. Read on for more info and stay safe!

Bleach can be toxic to your pets

As you probably know, many health experts say that we should use bleach when cleaning the house to prevent coronavirus infection, but you have to be careful when you use it because it can be really harmful to your pets. Even though chlorine based products are safe for you, it does not mean that you can use them around your pet. 

Animals have a sensitive sense of smell and bleach can adversely affect their health. This is why it is very important to put your pets in another room while cleaning your house with bleach and open the window for a few minutes.

Ammonia can be harmful to your pet as well

Cleaning products that contain ammonia not only can be really harmful to your pets, but they could adversely affect your health as well, especially if they are highly concentrated. According to health experts, ammonia based products can cause different skin irritations, burn, respiratory and neurological problems, so try to use them in moderate quantities. So, pets or kids who usually touch the surfaces that you often clean such as floor, tables and windows should be kept away from these products that contain ammonia. 

“Most store-bought products, especially those which deal with stubborn grime or claim to kill all bacteria, include harsh ingredients such as ammonia. In high concentrations, these are harmful to both humans and pets,” says Dean Davies, senior supervisor for the cleaning department at Fantastic Services.

Drain cleaners can affect your pet’s health

When you decide to adopt a pet, whether we are talking about dogs, cats or birds, you have to know that you should be very protective and affectionate about them, because being with them it’s like having a baby. Taking care of a pet requires responsibility and loyalty. 

So, some drain cleaners can be really harmful to your pet because they can cause serious skin, eye, gastrointestinal issues. When you clean your house you need to make sure that your pet is not around. 

“Strong bases like drain cleaners are very caustic and can lead to serious damage to the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tract,” says Jennifer Coates, DVM, who serves on the advisory board for Pup Life Today.

Cleaning products for your oven 

Just like drain cleaners, oven cleaners can be really harmful to your pets. If your pet is accidentally exposed to these cleaning products you should visit your veterinarian urgently. According to health experts, some oven cleaners contain caustic or other poisonous chemicals that can adversely affect your health. Instead, you can opt for other eco-friendly products that are both efficient and less toxic. 

Fortunately, there are a lot of non-toxic ways to clean your oven properly, such as products that contain baking soda, or you can even make your own cleaning products with household ingredients.

Carpet cleaners can affect your pet’s health

Well, you should know that carpet cleaners contain some solutions that can adversely affect your pet’s health (and yours as well), such as glycol ethers. Unfortunately, these toxic chemicals can cause serious damage to your kidneys and lungs and other serious health problems such as leukemia. So, it is very important to choose the right products when cleaning your house. 

Instead, you should vacuum your carpets properly and opt for other gentle products that are not harmful to your health. 

When you try different carpet cleaners, maybe you notice some effects such as your eyes getting wet, your hands can be wounded, your throat getting itchy and various skin irritations. So, if you experience these uncomfortable symptoms it means that these cleaners are toxic for your health. 

Carpet cleaners that contain chemicals such as perchloroethylene, naphthalene, butyloxy ethanol can affect children’s and pets’ health badly because they are more susceptible as they play with their toys on the carpet.

Toilet cleaners can be toxic as well

Unfortunately, many people who buy cleaning products expect them to do one thing, namely to be efficient and kill the germs and microbes, but they should pay attention to ingredients as well because many of them could be toxic for your pet’s health. 

Some toilet cleaners can contain bleach which is very harmful to your pets. So, you should be aware that the most harmful effects of these products include vomiting, dizziness, poor orientation or laryngeal edema. Nevertheless, you should try to keep your pets away from these products and put them in another room when you clean your bathroom.

Counter cleaners

Some antibacterial cleaners that can be used in the kitchen usually contain water, perfume, a surfactant and a pesticide. These pesticides used in antibacterial cleaners are quaternary ammonium or phenolic chemicals which can irritate your pet’s eyes and can burn their skin and throat – but you can feel these symptoms as well. 

“Cleaners used on counters are potentially harmful, especially if your dog is known for counter-surfing,” Cathy Alinovi, a retired holistic veterinarian in Indiana, tells PetMD. “Additionally, kitchen cleaners that come in a spray bottle have the potential to travel through the air and get into your pet’s water bowl.”

Laundry detergents

Fabric softeners contain cationic detergents which are very harmful to dogs, according to the ASPCA. Moreover, some laundry detergents contain enzymes to loosen stains and dirt. Cationic detergents are the most toxic if ingested. Harmful effects of these detergents include drooling, vomiting, oral and esophageal ulcers and fever. They can even kill your pet if swallowed, so try to keep your beloved furry friend away from these chemicals.