Sweet Paws Approved Cleaning Products
Hey Every-Pawdy!
I've had some people ask me what kind of cleaning products I use in my home. Since I talk A LOT about "clean" and all natural products, I've also gotten some questions when I say that our cleaning products can directly impact our dogs health (and of course, ours!)
*scroll all the way down if you just want to see the products*
When I randomly became allergic to dairy a few years ago, I was forced to turn over every food item I picked up to check for dairy...fun fact, dairy is in everything! Haha.
As I started learning about different dairy proteins and the ingredients that replace dairy in non dairy foods, I took a deep dive into the world of human food ingredients. And it's just as ugly as dog food/treats. I've been learning SO much information about ingredients in makeup, personal care products like shampoo and face wash, cleaning products, room sprays, laundry soap.
You name it, I've researched the ingredients. Obviously this does not make me an expert. The only "real" qualification I have is Dog Trainer...but no one is exempt from learning and sharing information. And I LOVE learning new information & sharing it with any pawdy who wants to hear it.
What I've learned is this - we can do better. Way better. The artificial fragrances (AKA chemicals), bleach, ammonia, phthalates, herbicides, pesticides, phenoxyethanol, chlorine, formaldehyde, JUST TO NAME A FEW. These are just a few of the things making our dogs itchy, our skin itchy, our bodies uncomfortable, our lungs working overtime, our heads hurting, our dogs anxiety filled....the list goes on.
Okay, let me get to the cleaning products. Many of the standard cleaning products people have under their sink or in their pantry contain highly toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and dogs (and cats, etc) - now you might already be thinking "well what else am I supposed to use?" or "well everything is a chemical" or "everything causes cancer/disease."
While we cannot control the toxic environment we live in outside our homes, we CAN control the toxins that are in our home surrounding yourself and your animals.
For example, what you clean your floors with is being absorbed by your feet and your dogs paws. Do you clean your floors with bleach? Pinesol? Something else? Better turn over the bottle and double check to see if you can even understand exactly what's in it. The simplest ingredient to point out first is the fragrance - it's artificial so that means it's a concoction of up to 3,000 chemicals put together to make it smell nice...
"that's the power of pinesol, baby"
Pinesol was found to contain Toluene, a NEUROTOXIN that was previously removed from many nail polishes due to having links to cancer and ability to cause damage to unborn children. BRO. Let's not put that on our floors...?
This is just ONE example of ONE cleaning products.
This is NO hate to anyone, but I've seen peoples cleaning products...most people have a LOT of things to douse their houses with.
And I'm here to help you rethink that and tell you it's simply not necessary.
I've said it before...our bodies (dogs and humans) are brilliant - but they can only take so much.
ALL of these chemicals build up in our systems and it's only a matter of time before our bodies cannot handle them anymore. I know you all want better for your dogs and cats. I know you want better for your kids. And I know deep down you probably want better for yourself as well.
When it comes to making swaps in your home with your food, products, dog products, etc, I know it can be overwhelming and you might not know where to start. A good tip is to start with one thing at a time. Start with something you use the most, then keep going from there if you want.
Swaps To Consider:
- Laundry soap: contains artificial fragrance & hormone disruptors ( we are putting our dogs bedding in this junk!)
- Dishwasher soap or dish soap: we are washing our dogs bowls and our utensils with chemicals...the fuck for? gross man! that shit lingers!
- Hand soap: our hands absorb A LOT
- Floor cleaner: our feet absorb a lot & so do our dogs paws!! And our dogs lick their paws a lot!
- All purpose cleaner: cleaning up spills, countertops, etc, why use chemicals when plant derived stuff works just as good?
- Bathtub cleaner - we are supposed to be getting in the shower to be clean, not add more toxins - our feet and paws absorb it all man, I'm telling ya!
- Shampoo/conditioner/body soap/loofa: for both you and your dogs! have you seen your shampoo label?? If you can't understand it...it's probably filled with yucky stuff.
- Disinfectant - I don't personally use any kind of disinfectant in my home, I personally don't find it necessary, but I can try to find a clean one. Lysol is straight toxic in my opinion guys. Butane, propane, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, fragrance, nuff said? *shrugs shoulders*
- Wipes - I don't find myself using cleaning wipes, I just use paper towel and the Branch Basics or Better Life all purpose spray
- Dust Spray - I don't use this either...I promise my house is not filthy guys! Again, I just the All Purpose Spray from Branch Basics - dust sprays are junk that contain allergens, fragrance and parrafins = toxins.
I could go on and on. I know, it's a lot. It's overkill. It's too much. And if this doesn't interest you, that's totally fine! I am just tired of sick dogs and sick people. We can provide our bodies with so many better things that improve our health - not give us headaches, autoimmune diseases, shortness of breath, rashes, poor lungs, gut problems, itchy skin/scalp, etc!
It's. Not. Necessary.
Here are a few of my favorite products...as you can see, I don't use a lot!
I got Branch Basics about 6 months ago and have really enjoyed it! It's so easy to get the Starter kit and have bottles for every part of your household cleaning! The all purpose cleaner and foaming hand soap is my favorite! This concentrate has quickly gotten rid of most of the cleaners under my sink!!
Moon Valley Hand soaps - Available here at Sweet Paws on the For You Page
I do buy Better Life cleaning products (dishwasher gel, tub cleaner, all purpose spray, toilet cleaner) from Fresh Thyme (grocery store) but here is their website. They are very affordable in my opinion. https://www.cleanhappens.com
I know I might not have given you an exact breakdown of the ingredients you should get rid of, I'd be here all year if I did that.
Okay...I think that's all for now. I know it was a combination of a lot but also maybe very vague to those who are new to this sort of info.
PLEASE let me know if you have any questions. And again, I know this information might not be for everyone, that's okay. It's just information to think about!
Here are a couple more articles if you're interested - and of course, a simple google search of "toxic ingredients in cleaning products" gets you started.
As always, I try my best to do the research for you and curate products to offer you for your dogs, but I want you all to know the "who, what, where, and why."
Our dogs deserve the best, and so do you.
Love, Mel & Mac
(Prada & Oscar)
Sweet Paws Outfitters