10 Cleaning Products That Are Safe for Your Pets

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From floor and carpet cleaners to sink scrubs and all-purpose sprays, keeping the house clean requires a full quiver of products. However, many of the most common ones may contain ingredients that are dangerous for your pets to ingest, inhale or even absorb through the skin while moving about and licking their paws.

“There are a number of common household cleaning products that contain harmful and potentially life-threatening ingredients,” says Anthea Schick, a veterinary dermatologist.

Toilet bowl cleaners, especially the kind that stick inside the bowl, often contain bleach and can be a risk for dogs who like to sneak sips from the toilet. Other problematic products include laundry detergent containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), 1,4-dioxane and nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE). These can cause skin irritation, as well as severe vomiting and diarrhea if swallowed in the concentrated pod form, which can look like a toy or treat.

Here are our recommendations for pet-safe cleaning products for the entire home, including DIY suggestions, as well as a list of ingredients to avoid.