Keeping your home tidy and your pets safe amid spring cleaning

(WFXR) — Now that spring is officially underway, that means it’s time for spring cleaning! However, as you tidy up your home for you and your family, make sure to protect your furry friends’ belongings and their health.

Getting your house in order for the new season presents the perfect opportunity to declutter, clean, and organize your pet’s belongings.

HomeAgain, a company that specializes in pet microchips and recovery, shared these top cleaning tips for pet parents as they get ready make sure to keep these to-do’s in mind as you make your chore checklist:

• Check your pet’s collar, tags, and leash:
  • As your pets grow and/or spend more time outdoors, make sure to check the condition of their leashes and collars.
    • If either look frayed or close to breaking, it’s time to invest in new gear.
    • If not, you should still take the time to wash the collars and leashes with pet shampoo to help get rid of underlying bacteria and dirt.
  • You should also check your pets’ collar tags to confirm the information is up to date.
• Get rid of pet hair
  • If you have a pet that sheds, try dampening a rubber glove and running it over hard to clean areas, such as rugs or couches. This technique removes hair that a vacuum may miss.
• Wash your pet’s toys
  • Just like cleaning a child’s toy box, you should also wash your pet’s toy box to keep items sanitary and throw away any that are no longer safe.
    • For plastic toys, you can wash them with unscented soap to remove bacteria and dirt.
    • For plush or cloth toys, just throw them in the washer for a quick cleaning.
• Spruce up your outdoor space
  • If you have a backyard, clear up any leaves or trash that may have blown through. Also make sure your yard is clear of any fertilizers or insecticides, which can be toxic if dogs ingest them.
• Keep clear of pests
  • While playing with your pets outdoors can be fun, you probably don’t wants pests — such as fleas and ticks — coming into your house. Talk to your veterinarian about preventative medications and call them immediately if you suspect your pets have fleas or were bitten by ticks.

If the cleaning process will take you in and out of your home, HomeAgain also encourages you to keep an eye on your pets so they don’t slip out the door with you.

However, a major concern when it comes to spring cleaning is potentially poisonous household products. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) posted a list of cleaning agents that may cause medical issues for your pets, especially if you don’t follow label recommendations:

• Bleach
  • “Pet parents are often curious about the risks associated with cleaning their pets’ cages and toys with bleach,” the ASPCA said. “The bottom line is this: cleaning your pet’s cage or toy with a properly diluted bleach solution, followed by a thorough rinsing and airing out, is not expected to cause harm. If the odor of bleach seems overwhelming, open windows and use fans to air the room.”
  • After you’re done cleaning, dispose of unused or dirty solutions, and clean and put away cleaning implements like mops.
• Carpet fresheners
  • Proper use of carpet deodorizing products should not cause significant harm or injury to pets. However, if your pet accidentally comes in contact with the freshly applied powder, you are encouraged to wash their paws with mild soap and water to avoid minor skin irritation.
  • Minor ingestions of carpet freshener powder generally leads to a mildly upset stomach.
  • If a small amount is inhaled, minor respiratory irritation may occur, resulting in sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose, so you should probably keep your dog out of the room until after you have vacuumed up the powder.
• Carpet shampoo
  • Most carpet cleaning products can be used in pet households, but you should allow the carpet to dry before allowing pets into the area. This will help to prevent the risk of skin irritation or gastrointestinal issues.
• Essential oils
  • Cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. If ingested in significant quantities, it could result in effects such as gastrointestinal upset, central nervous system depression, and even liver damage. In addition, inhalation of the oils could lead to aspiration pneumonia.
  • There are significant variations in toxicity among specific oils, so you are urged not to use essential oils in areas where your pets have access, unless someone is supervising the pets or your veterinarian approves the use of the oils.
• Fabric softener sheets
  • Fabric softeners contain cationic detergents, which have the potential to cause significant clinical signs that requirement treatment from a veterinarian, like drooling, vomiting, oral and esophageal ulcers, and fever.
  • Oral ulcers can develop if a pet chews on a new, unused dryer sheet. However, used sheets have minimal amounts of detergent.
  • If an animal ingests enough sheets, used or dry, an intestinal blockage may occur.
• Febreze
  • Despite rumors that Febreze causes serious illness or death in animals, the ASPCA’s veterinary toxicology experts at the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) consider Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets as long as you follow the directions on the label.
  • If your pet accidentally comes into contact with Febreze when it is still wet, its should not cause problems beyond mild skin irritation — which can occur with any product in animals with sensitive skin — or minor stomach issues if ingested.
• Grout
  • Grout sealers vary widely in toxicity, from non-toxic to alkaline corrosive, so confirm the ingredients in the brand you are using then call either the APCC or your veterinarian if your pet ingests some of the sealer.
  • Alkaline products, like cationic detergents, can cause drooling, vomiting, and oral and esophageal ulcers.
  • Dried, or cured, sealer usually only causes a mild upset stomach if ingested.
• Scented litter 
  • When used around a healthy cat, scented litter is generally considered considered safe.
  • Fragrances found in scented pet products, such as lavender, are usually synthetic and contain only a small amount of oil. However, cats with underlying respiratory issues may be more sensitive to strong fragrances, especially in a poorly-ventilated area.
  • When choosing pet products, take your cat’s individual needs and home environment into consideration. You can also ask your veterinarian for advice on which products will fit best into your pet’s lifestyle.
• Swiffer Wet Jet
  • “Swiffer Wet Jet products do not contain cleaning agents in large enough quantities to present serious health risks to pets,” the ASPCA said. “An internet rumor once alleged that these products contained anti-freeze and were responsible for the death of a dog. Our toxicology experts evaluated the product and determined it doesn’t contain ethylene glycol from antifreeze, and is appropriate to use in homes with pets.”
  • Mild skin irritation or an upset stomach may occur if pets walk through a still-wet floor or lick any spilled solution.
• Toilet cleaning tablets
  • Most toilet bowl cleaning tablets would not be expected to cause problems beyond a minor upset stomach if a dog drank the diluted water in the toilet bowl. However, bacterial-related gastrointestinal problems could result from drinking stagnant toilet water, so the ASPCA recommends discouraging your dog from “imbibing from the commode.”
• Vinegar and water
  • A solution of vinegar and water is used as an inexpensive alternative to commercial cleaning agents. Vinegar is typically acidic, depending on the solution concentration, it acts as an irritant. As a result, ingesting concentrated vinegar can cause vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, and pain.

There are countless cleaning products on the market, with a wide range of ingredients and varying degrees of safety. While the ASPCA says most cleaning agents can be safely used in homes, you need to make sure to follow the directions on the label.

If you have questions about the appropriate selection or application of a product, reach out to your veterinarian or the manufacturer before cleaning.

If you thing your pet has been exposed to a poisonous substance, you should immediately contact your veterinarian or call the APCC’s hotline at 888-426-4435.