Are Carpet Cleaners Safe to Use Around Pets?
Some carpet cleaners are available that are considered safe for pets. Other carpet cleaners may contain toxic chemicals considered dangerous for pets. Toxic chemicals may be present even if the label doesn't indicate their presence. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Household Products Database
-
The Department of Health and Human Services has a database of household products at http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov. Checking the categories "Health Effects" and "Ingredients" on this database will be useful when you're shopping for a pet-safe carpet cleaner.
Seals and Certifications
-
Several eco- and pet-friendly carpet cleaners are available. Look for labels such as Green Seal Certified, Environmental Choice Certified and Envirodesic Certified.
-
Strong Odor
-
As a general rule, carpet cleaners that have a strong odor are potentially less safe for pets. Strong odors can indicate the presence of formaldehyde, acids and fragrances.
Residues
-
The residues that some carpet cleaners leave behind can be unsafe for pets. The residue contains the chemicals and cleaning agents from the carpet cleaner and can stick to your pet's paws.
Powdered Cleaners
-
Powdered carpet cleaners are easily inhaled and may contain eye and respiratory irritants that can harm your pet. Vacuuming typically does not remove all traces of the powder from the carpet, leaving behind a surface residue or traces of the chemicals deep in the carpet's fibers.
-
References
- Photo Credit boxer puppy image by Brandi Cameron from Fotolia.com
