Bleach

Bleach is a dangerous product and needs to be treated as such. In industrial settings, workers will wear protective gear when working with bleach, because of its corrosive nature. Unfortunately, most people do not protect themselves this way when using bleach in their household or other casual settings (Educating Wellness). Inhaling the gasses released by bleach, or misuse of bleach, can cause skin irritation, irritation of the eyes, respiratory damage, headaches, nosebleeds, loss of consciousness, vomiting, and in severe cases, death (Educating Wellness; Yahoo! Voices).

            Many people make the mistake of mixing bleach with ammonia-based cleaners, which could very well be the last mistake you make. Ammonia and Chlorine cause a chemical reaction that produces chloramine vapors, which are extremely deadly (Helmenstine). Chlorine and Ammonia mixtures were used in WWI and WWII as weapons. The onset of symptoms caused by these vapors is very quick. It is NOT something you want to take a chance with. Nitrogen trichloride is another extremely dangerous chemical that is the result of mixing bleach with ammonia, and this chemical reaction is an explosive agent. (Yahoo! Voices; Washingtion State Dept. of Health).

There is ammonia in urine, and numerous other household messes, so using bleach as a way to clean up a mess is dangerous. Bleach should never be used on organic matter because of this risk, and also because it is not an effective way to clean organic matter. When bleach comes in contact with organic matter, the disinfectant compounds can deactivate. The same is true when mixing cleaners together. Mixing chemical cleaners causes chemical reactions that alter the composition of the chemicals, usually deactivating the agents that make that cleaner useful.

The only thing bleach can be safely mixed with is water, even then you should be very careful, be in a well ventilated area, wear protective gear, and make sure you are using the correct dilution. Bleach disinfects surfaces, but only if the surface has already been cleaned with a soap or detergent. Even then, it cleans just the surface. It is not effective on porous materials. Also, because it is a corrosive, bleach is damaging to most materials. There are much better products out there than bleach (Yahoo! Voices; Educating Wellness).

The Link below is an article that goes over the pros and cons of bleach, and a natural alternative, vinegar. It’s an interesting read.

http://www.rodale.com/natural-disinfectant?page=0,0

Bleach: Health Dangers & Effectiveness. Yahoo! Voices.

           

Dangers of Bleach. Educating Wellness.

           

Dangers of Mixing Bleach with Cleaners. Washington State Department of Health.

           

Helmenstine, AM. Mixing Bleach and Ammonia: Chemical Reactions from Mixing  Bleach and Ammonia. About.com.

            < http://chemistry.about.com/od/toxicchemicals/a/Mixing-Bleach-And-Ammonia.htm>

Household Cleaners

It's spring (kinda)! Time for household projects and spring cleaning. Many daily household cleaners are not only hazardous for humans to use, but are also hazardous for our pets. Pets have more acute senses than we do, so if a chemical is burning your nose, it’s definitely affecting your pet. Pets tend to be closer to the source of the chemical, such as floor cleaners, so they are getting a higher dose of chemicals than we are. Also, pets breathe more rapidly than humans, and metabolize faster, so chemicals can have a severe and quick effect on pets. It is important to pay attention to the chemicals you are using when cleaning your house. When possible, keep your pet out of the room being cleaned, properly ventilate your house, and make sure all surfaces are dry before letting your pet back on to them (remember, we can shower or leave the house when chemicals are bothering us. Pets bathe themselves with their tongues, and in most cases cannot leave the house to escape the chemicals) (Cole 2010; Neer 2008; Eartheasy.com)

Here is a list of dangerous chemicals to use around your pet:

Pine oil products. Any household cleaner containing phenol is not pet friendly. Phenol is found in pine oil products, and cats are especially sensitive to it. Phenol has been linked to liver damage. You will also find phenol in some air fresheners, so be sure to read all labels carefully and keep pets away from these products. They pick up cleaner on their paws when they walk over a wet floor or freshly dusted coffee table. When they lick their paws, some of the cleaner is ingested. Keep pets away from wet floors or tables.

Ammonia. Household cleaners with ammonia are not a good choice if you own pets. Spot removal cleaners want you to think they’re pet friendly, but in reality, ammonia draws pets to a spot faster than a bee to honey. Using ammonia to mop your floor or clean a spot on the carpet actually encourages your pet to go where they smell the ammonia. Avoid ammonia to clean up a pet stains. It acts like a flashing red sign that says, “Go Here.”

Dishwasher detergents. Residue on dishes will build up over time. Most of them use a highly concentrated form of chlorine which can become toxic over time. All dishwasher detergents are harmful if swallowed.

Laundry detergents work using enzymes, phosphorus and phenol, as well as other ingredients. Some residue is left on what was washed. Pets can be sensitive to certain kinds of detergents just like some people are.

Oven cleaner is not pet friendly. This household cleaner is probably one of the most toxic products we use in the home. It contains lye and ammonia which produce fumes that can linger in the air.

Toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, and many have bleach in them. Solid tablets placed on the inside of toilets designed to clean with each flush, or anything that's dropped into the tank can be harmful to pets who drink out of the toilet. Do not allow a pet to drink water from the toilet bowl if you use any product like this.

Furniture polish contains petroleum distillates (a concentration of vapors through a distillation process) making this product highly flammable. They also contain nitrobenzene which is quite toxic.

Carpet fresheners or cleaners, bleach, drain cleaners, liquid potpourri and window cleaners all contain toxic chemicals that are not pet friendly. Many cleaners can cause pets gastrointestinal problems and irritations to their respiratory tract.

Pet Friendly Alternatives:

Baking soda can be used to scrub your tub and sink, or mop your floor. Sprinkle some into the carpet to freshen it. Use it to clean out the litter pan and sprinkle into the litter in between changes as a deodorizer.

Borax can be added to your regular laundry detergent to help remove pet odors from bedding and clothes. You can also use it as a tub cleaner, or sprinkle some into carpets to help control fleas. Rub it in with a broom and then vacuum; it acts like tiny knives to a flea population. You will find this in the laundry detergent aisle.

White vinegar works great as a deodorizer and degreaser, and helps remove stains. I mix half vinegar, half water and use it to clean up pet “accidents” (although I'm pretty sure some were on purpose). Vinegar also works great on windows and floors, in the kitchen and in the bathroom.

[taken from Linda Cole: Responsible Pet Ownership Blog]

Lemon Juice smells great and acts as a bleach and degreaser. (Neer 2008). 

Cole L. 2010. Household Cleaners That Aren’t Pet Friendly. Responsible Pet Ownership Blog.

            < http://canidaepetfood.blogspot.com/2010/06/household-cleaners-that-arent-pet.html>

Neer M. 2008. The Dangers of Household Cleaners: A Special Warning to Pet Owners. Yahoo! Voices.

            < http://voices.yahoo.com/the-dangers-household-cleaners-special-warning-885049.html?cat=6>

8 Common Household Chemicals Harming your Pets & their Non-Toxic Alternatives. Eartheasy.com.

< http://eartheasy.com/blog/2012/03/8-common-household-chemicals- harming-your-pets-their-non-toxic-alternatives/>