| While cleaning may not be anyone's favorite activity, | | | | If you have cats, try to steer clear of natural products |
| there is something satisfying about throwing the | | | | containing essential oils. Even though many |
| windows wide open to let in the spring air and giving | | | | manufacturers of essential oils claim that they are |
| every room in the house a thorough cleaning to | | | | safe to use around cats, this is not always the case. |
| welcome the new season. | | | | Tea tree oil in particular can be deadly to cats. |
| Dangers of Chemical-based Household Cleaners | | | | Some of the safest and least expensive cleaners are |
| But did you know that many commercial cleaning | | | | baking soda and white distilled vinegar. Some |
| products can be extremely toxic, and even deadly, to | | | | suggestions for use are: |
| your pets? Cats are especially susceptible since they | | | | Baking Soda: |
| groom themselves by licking and as a result ingest | | | | - Pour a layer in the litterbox before adding fresh litter |
| anything that comes in contact with their feet or fur. | | | | to quell odors. |
| Many household cleaners contain contain hazardous | | | | - Add 1/2 cup to the laundry to freshen pet bedding. |
| ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum | | | | - Use as an abrasive cleaner for sinks, bowls, and |
| based chemicals which can release volatile organic | | | | non-porous surfaces. |
| compounds into your indoor air. Some ingredients in | | | | White Distilled Vinegar: |
| household cleaners are known to cause cancer in | | | | - Use to disinfect feeding dishes, the litterbox, and |
| animals and are suspected human carcinogens. | | | | non-porous toys. |
| Inappropriate use, storage and disposal of these | | | | - Add 1 cup to the wash cycle to freshen and soften |
| hazardous household substances may impact your | | | | pet bedding. |
| personal health and the health of our environment. | | | | - Apply a diluted solution (one part vinegar and one |
| Lysol, Pine-sol and other products containing phenols | | | | part water) to help remove the appearance and odor |
| are deadly to cats as they can cause serious liver | | | | of urine stains from carpets. |
| damage. Chlorox bleach, especially when | | | | Baking soda and white vinegar combined make a |
| concentrated, can cause chemical burns when it | | | | great non-toxic drain cleaner - pour some baking soda |
| comes in contact with sensitive pet paws. | | | | down the drain, follow with a cup or so of vinegar. The |
| Non-toxic Cleaning Products | | | | mixture will foam, and the foaming action will clear your |
| With the wide variety of naturally based and non-toxic | | | | drain. Repeat if necessary. For tough drains, follow with |
| cleaners available, there is no need to continue to use | | | | hot water. |
| unsafe, toxic products. Brands such as Seventh | | | | If your pet does come into contact with toxic |
| Generation and Method offer every type of cleaner | | | | chemicals, contact the ASPCA's Animal Poison |
| imaginable and are available in all major grocery stores. | | | | Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for help. |