Keeping a home clean is part of taking care of the people and pets who live there. The tricky part is that some cleaning products that are perfectly useful around the house can be harmful to dogs, cats, and other animals.
Pets spend a lot of time close to the floor. They walk through freshly cleaned areas, lick their paws, sniff bottles and buckets, and sometimes investigate places we’d rather they ignore. That can expose them to cleaning chemicals, residue, or strong fumes.
If you have pets, it helps to know which products deserve extra caution and how to use them more safely.
Phenol-Based Disinfectants
Phenolic disinfectants can be particularly dangerous for cats because their bodies have difficulty processing some phenolic compounds. Exposure can lead to drooling, vomiting, weakness, and other serious symptoms.
Check the ingredient label before using a disinfectant around pets. Keep pets away from treated surfaces until the product has been used according to its label and the area is completely dry.
Related: 13 Houseplants That Could Be Toxic to Your Pets
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners contain highly corrosive ingredients that break down hair, grease, and other blockages. Those same chemicals can cause serious burns if they come into contact with a pet’s paws, mouth, or skin.
Keep pets away from sinks, tubs, and drains while a drain cleaner is being used. Store the bottle somewhere your pet cannot reach, even after the drain has been treated.
Carpet Fresheners and Deodorizers
Powders and sprays made to freshen carpets can leave residues behind. A pet walking across the treated area can pick up some of that material on its paws and later ingest it while grooming.
Read the product label carefully and follow its instructions about drying and re-entry. If your pet has a habit of licking or digging into carpets, extra caution is warranted.
Related: 15 Common Home Items That Are Dangerous to Your Pets
Fabric Softeners and Dryer Sheets
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and digestive system if a pet chews or swallows them. Used dryer sheets can still contain residue, so they shouldn’t be left where curious pets can get them.
Keep liquid softener, dryer sheets, and laundry products behind a closed door or in a secure cabinet. If your pet has sensitive skin, an unscented detergent may also be a better choice.
Oven Cleaners
Oven cleaners are made to break through baked-on grease, which means they can contain strong chemicals. The fumes may irritate a pet’s eyes and respiratory system, while contact with wet cleaner or leftover residue can cause burns.
Move pets to another room before cleaning the oven, open windows or use ventilation as directed, and don’t let pets near the appliance until the cleaning product has been completely removed.
Related: 12 Outdoor Plants That Deserve Extra Caution Around Kids and Pets
Scented Candles and Air Fresheners
A pleasant scent for us can be overwhelming for a pet. Some air fresheners, candles, sprays, and fragrance products release compounds that may irritate sensitive animals.
Pets with existing breathing problems can be especially sensitive to strong scents. Use fragrance products sparingly and provide good airflow. Never leave candles where a pet can knock them over or get close to the flame.
Furniture Polish
Furniture polish can contain solvents, oils, and other ingredients that shouldn’t be swallowed. A pet that rubs against a recently treated surface may pick up some residue on its fur and ingest it while grooming.
Follow the label instructions and allow furniture to dry fully before letting pets back into the area. Store polish bottles securely when you’re finished.
Bleach
Bleach is useful for disinfecting and whitening, but it can irritate a pet’s eyes, skin, mouth, and respiratory system. Concentrated bleach is especially hazardous.
If bleach is necessary for a cleaning job, keep pets out of the area and use the product exactly as directed. Give the room adequate ventilation and keep animals away until surfaces are dry and any strong odor has cleared.
Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, acids, or other household cleaners. Dangerous gases can be produced.
Ammonia-Based Cleaners
Ammonia is found in some glass, floor, and multipurpose cleaners. Its strong fumes can irritate the eyes and airways, while swallowing the product can cause serious chemical burns.
Store ammonia-based products securely and keep pets away while you’re cleaning. Check the label for proper ventilation and use instructions before bringing your pet back into the room.
For more information on the effects of ammonia exposure, see this study on ammonia toxicity.
Glycol Ether Floor Cleaners
Some floor cleaners contain glycol ethers, a group of solvents used in household cleaning products. Pets can come into contact with floor-cleaning residue through their paws and then ingest it while grooming.
Read the ingredients and directions on floor cleaners before using them around animals. Keep pets away from freshly mopped floors until the product has dried completely.
Isopropyl Alcohol Window Cleaners
Isopropyl alcohol is used in some glass and window-cleaning products. Swallowing it can be dangerous for pets, and concentrated fumes may also cause irritation.
Keep pets out of the area while using these cleaners and store bottles securely afterward. Make sure windows and other treated surfaces are dry before allowing animals to return.
Hydrochloric Acid Bathroom Cleaners
Some heavy-duty toilet and bathroom cleaners contain hydrochloric acid. This is a highly corrosive substance that can cause serious burns if it gets on a pet’s skin or is swallowed.
Keep these products completely away from pets during storage and use. For routine cleaning, follow the product label and choose a cleaner appropriate for the surface rather than reaching for a stronger chemical than the job requires.
Phosphates in Dishwashing Detergents
Dishwashing products can cause problems if a pet gets into the detergent or licks a large amount from dishes that haven’t been rinsed properly.
Keep dishwasher detergent and liquid dish soap stored securely. Rinse dishes according to the detergent’s instructions before putting them where pets can reach them, and don’t leave detergent pods or loose powder within reach.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Toilet bowl cleaners can contain bleach, acids, and other chemicals that are dangerous if swallowed. A curious dog that drinks from a freshly treated toilet could ingest cleaning residue.
Close the bathroom door or keep the toilet lid down while using these products. Allow the cleaner to work for the recommended amount of time, flush thoroughly, and keep pets away during the process.
Antibacterial Wipes
Antibacterial wipes are convenient for quick cleanups, but they can contain alcohols, disinfectants, and other ingredients that may irritate pets.
If you’re cleaning a surface your pet regularly touches, check whether the product is suitable for that type of use. Let treated surfaces dry completely before allowing your pet to return.
Artificial Fragrance in Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent can leave fragrance and other residues on bedding, blankets, towels, and clothing that pets spend a lot of time around. Some animals may develop skin irritation or other reactions to strongly scented products.
If your pet seems sensitive to scented laundry products, try switching to a fragrance-free detergent and skip fabric softener. Wash pet bedding according to the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure it is thoroughly rinsed.
A pet-friendly cleaning routine doesn’t mean giving up on keeping your home clean. It means paying attention to what products your pets can reach, what surfaces they walk on, and what they might lick or swallow.
Keep cleaning supplies behind closed doors, follow product labels, ventilate rooms during cleaning, and give treated surfaces enough time to dry. If you think your pet has swallowed a cleaning product or developed symptoms after exposure, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service right away rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
