While I'm hoping to keep my boys off the counters and kitchen table, I wanted a backup plan for cleaning before using the surfaces for food just in case. So, what kind of cleaners would be safe for the cats and still kill yucky bacteria for me? Or maybe it would be easier to just say which ones should be avoided! Thanks for any input guys, you're all an incredible fountain of knowledge!
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Safe antibacterial products
- Thread starter sandtigress
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i use vinger and h2o
I use Lysol or Clorox wipes after that dries, I wipe it with warm water. Less stinky than vinegar and works fine for me!
This is a great product: http://www.castleproductsonline.com/...face_deod.html
It's used at clinics and shelters, but the smell is pleasant (minty) and it's very safe. It is pricey but a bottle will last a long time.
It's used at clinics and shelters, but the smell is pleasant (minty) and it's very safe. It is pricey but a bottle will last a long time.
WARNING: DO NOT USE LYSOL!!!! Lysol contains phenols which are chemicals that are extremely toxic to cats, dogs and small animals. Phenols can cause kidney and liver failure.
Safe alternatives are vinegar and hot water, non-chlorine bleach, and natural, orange-based cleaners.
Safe alternatives are vinegar and hot water, non-chlorine bleach, and natural, orange-based cleaners.
OK. I had to do some research, as the previous poster suggested. And the research shows that these Lysol products: Lysol Disinfectant Spray (which is what I use and referred to in my post) and Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Spray
DO NOT CONTAIN PHENOL
This information is per direct telephone contact with company and Material Safety Data Sheets linked to here:
http://www.reckittprofessional.com/c...t/375644_r.pdf
http://www.reckittprofessional.com/c...t/373200_r.pdf
The active ingredient in the product I use is ethanol, which of course is toxic to humans and cats alike, but it dries almost instantaneously, so there's no possibility of ingestion. I haven't used the Antibacterial Kitchen Spray, so I don't know how fast it dries, but the company says that cats should not lick it while it's wet. Its active ingredients are compounds of chlorine. So if that product is used, keep your cats away from it until it dries.
I don't know about the references to Lysol and phenol. They must either be referring to different products or they are outdated.
The conclusion: The two Lysol products referred to here are safe for cats when used as directed
DO NOT CONTAIN PHENOL
This information is per direct telephone contact with company and Material Safety Data Sheets linked to here:
http://www.reckittprofessional.com/c...t/375644_r.pdf
http://www.reckittprofessional.com/c...t/373200_r.pdf
The active ingredient in the product I use is ethanol, which of course is toxic to humans and cats alike, but it dries almost instantaneously, so there's no possibility of ingestion. I haven't used the Antibacterial Kitchen Spray, so I don't know how fast it dries, but the company says that cats should not lick it while it's wet. Its active ingredients are compounds of chlorine. So if that product is used, keep your cats away from it until it dries.
I don't know about the references to Lysol and phenol. They must either be referring to different products or they are outdated.
The conclusion: The two Lysol products referred to here are safe for cats when used as directed
i've used that one in the past with no problem. it dries quickly too. lately i've been using Seventh Generation products and also just wiping down the counter when i am done with the dishes (i use antibacterial dishsoap). the seventh generation product isn't anymore fabulous than what i used to use, so i am switching back when i am out of my current bottle.
my cats have never had a problem from the spray, and i have been using it for most of their lives. they only tromp across the counter when it's dry.
I also found a bottle of Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner in the kitchen and looked up the MSDS on that, and it doesn't contain phenol either. Although it does take a while to dry, so it's less convenient. (You don't want your cats to have contact with it while it's wet).
Maybe it's the Lysol cleaner -- the liquid in the bottle that needs to be diluted with water that contains phenol? Don't know -- don't have any in the house to check. I looked up "Lysol Cleaner" on the website and nothing there had phenol. I'm wondering if maybe that's an ingredient that it USED to have and was phased out because of its toxicity. There's a lot of different Lysol products. Know what you have and look at the ingredients list and do your research, but please don't tar all with the same brush.
Maybe it's the Lysol cleaner -- the liquid in the bottle that needs to be diluted with water that contains phenol? Don't know -- don't have any in the house to check. I looked up "Lysol Cleaner" on the website and nothing there had phenol. I'm wondering if maybe that's an ingredient that it USED to have and was phased out because of its toxicity. There's a lot of different Lysol products. Know what you have and look at the ingredients list and do your research, but please don't tar all with the same brush.
If the stuff doesn't dry right away, take a dry paper towel to it.. always works for me!
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I have been using Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Does anyone know if they could be dangerous to cats?
They sure are easy to use.
Lei
They sure are easy to use.
Lei
I tired myself out today researching Lysol
so I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing it's fine after it dries. Chlorine, of course, is toxic to every living organism, so you don't want to expose your cats while the surface is still damp. But I'm pretty sure it's OK after it dries because the chlorine in the wipes has evaporated.
Sandtigress asked about cleaners that are *safe* to use around cats. Though they may no longer contain phenols, Lysol Kitchen Disinfectant and Clorox Wipes can't be considered safe. Both contain alkyls, chemicals used in pesticides and are possibly carcinogenic. On the list of ingredients for both products, there's a bit of a mystery. Lysol lists 20.248% as "other". Clorox Wipes lists 99.710% as "other". I've no idea what "other" could be and until I know I would not use those products.
The label for Lysol Kitchen Disinfectant states: "To disinfect let stand 10 minutes". I don't know about you, but I'm not standing around for 10 minutes every time I spray this stuff to make sure my cats aren't near it. In addition, it warns not to get the product on your skin, or clothing...I want clean counters, but this is more trouble than it's worth. Why would I put something on my kitchen surfaces that I dare not get on my skin?
Clorox Wipes instructs the users of its product as follows: "Use soap and water after handling. For surfaces that come in contact with food, a potable water rinse is REQUIRED". You've got to be kidding me - I have to clean off the product I just used to clean?! It obviously contains ingredients more dangerous than the germs I'm trying to kill!
If this isn't enough to make you leery about using this stuff, how about the Precautionary Statement listed on both products: "HAZARDOUS TO HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS". That's really the only information I need.
There is one more thing, though it's OT : Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturer of Lysol, tests its products on animals. Just thought you should know.
The label for Lysol Kitchen Disinfectant states: "To disinfect let stand 10 minutes". I don't know about you, but I'm not standing around for 10 minutes every time I spray this stuff to make sure my cats aren't near it. In addition, it warns not to get the product on your skin, or clothing...I want clean counters, but this is more trouble than it's worth. Why would I put something on my kitchen surfaces that I dare not get on my skin?
Clorox Wipes instructs the users of its product as follows: "Use soap and water after handling. For surfaces that come in contact with food, a potable water rinse is REQUIRED". You've got to be kidding me - I have to clean off the product I just used to clean?! It obviously contains ingredients more dangerous than the germs I'm trying to kill!
If this isn't enough to make you leery about using this stuff, how about the Precautionary Statement listed on both products: "HAZARDOUS TO HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS". That's really the only information I need.
There is one more thing, though it's OT : Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturer of Lysol, tests its products on animals. Just thought you should know.
The product I use dries in about 10 seconds (after wiping). The 20.248% is listed as "Inert Ingredients". For it to be listed as inert, it would have to be both chemically and biologically inert. (It's probably the propellant.)
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Thanks for the info. I will no longer use Clorox Wipes anywhere indoors where my kitties are & when I finish this container...I will not buy this probuct again.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #19
You guys are awesome! I love how helpful everyone is.
Is vinegar really antibacterial? I've never considered it such, but I've never thought about it either.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #20
I, in a typical bout of silliness, forgot that I had several web sites saved that had information on natural disinfectants. So here are a few homemade recipes for anyone else who is interested.
Mix a half-cup of borax (a natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria) with 1 gallon hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Store in a recycled plastic spray bottle or better yet, a GLASS spray bottle.
Basic Disinfectent:
In a spray bottle, put water and a squirt of natural soap such as bath gel base (#3751). Add your favorite antiseptic, anti-bacterial essential oils (e.g., 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass essential oils). Shake well before each use.
* Water
* Squire natural soap
* 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass
Or simply add a drop or two of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine, juniper, thyme, or rosemary to a damp cloth. Wipe down the surfaces and notice how a chore turns into pleasure. Note: Use natural cleaning tools (natural sponge, mop) because essential oils can react with plastic.
Disinfectant Spray Cleaner
2 cups water
2 tsp tea tree
1 tsp lemon juice
2 drops rosemary
2 drops lavender
If anyone wants the sites that these came from, just let me know. Thanks for all your help!
Mix a half-cup of borax (a natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria) with 1 gallon hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Store in a recycled plastic spray bottle or better yet, a GLASS spray bottle.
Basic Disinfectent:
In a spray bottle, put water and a squirt of natural soap such as bath gel base (#3751). Add your favorite antiseptic, anti-bacterial essential oils (e.g., 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass essential oils). Shake well before each use.
* Water
* Squire natural soap
* 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and lemongrass
Or simply add a drop or two of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine, juniper, thyme, or rosemary to a damp cloth. Wipe down the surfaces and notice how a chore turns into pleasure. Note: Use natural cleaning tools (natural sponge, mop) because essential oils can react with plastic.
Disinfectant Spray Cleaner
2 cups water
2 tsp tea tree
1 tsp lemon juice
2 drops rosemary
2 drops lavender
If anyone wants the sites that these came from, just let me know. Thanks for all your help!
