These 5 cleaning hacks will benefit both you and your Chihuahua. Does your Chihuahua have allergies? There are food allergies that are pretty easy to determine the culprit. However, some environmental allergies and toxins are not so easy to detect.
My Remedy has environmental allergies. It’s nearly impossible to determine what allergen or toxin is causing her allergies. It could be outdoor allergens, such as pollen. Or it could be allergens or toxins found in our home that could be causing them.
Here is a sobering thought; our Chihuahuas spend a good 20-23 hours a day in your home. Of course, this depends on many factors such as whether they get a daily walk, go to daycare go to work with you, etc. But suffice it to say, they spend most of their time in your home.
It is believed that a dog’s sense of smell is 50,000 to 100,000 times that of a human. You know what that’s like? A dog could smell a drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
They smell volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals that evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions compromising air quality.
Think about when you spill some gasoline on the garage floor. Or when you paint a room. The smell or odor is obvious to you. You are breathing in VOCs.
Just imagine all the VOCs in your home that you don’t smell, but your Chihuahua can and is breathing them in all day, everyday. That’s why these cleaning hacks for your home will help rid your Chihuahua’s environment of harmful toxins.
VOCs IN THE HOME
VOCs are everywhere and are released by many everyday items that we all have in our homes. Such as:
- Cleaning Products (detergents & bleaches)
- Air fresheners
- Paints
- Deoderants & perfumes
- Fabrics
- Rugs
- Vinyl flooring
- Wood burning fireplaces
- Printers & photo copiers
This list is just a few of the compounds and toxins found in a typical home. But, there are too many to list them all.
All of these are known carcinogens. Meaning they are known to cause cancer. Of course, the amount of risk differs according to each item and the length of exposure. Using these 5 cleaning hacks may not rid your home of VOCs or toxins but they will certainly lessen the toxic risks to your Chihuahua.
detoxing your home
Of course, to prevent any VOCs exposure we and our pets would have to live in a bubble. That’s not possible, however, detoxing your home is not as difficult as it may seem.
If Redecorating or Painting:
If you are redecorating try to do it when you can open windows and doors to bring fresh air through the house.
If painting, opt for water-based paints because these contain much lower levels of VOCs. If you aren’t sure, ask a knowledgable person in the paint store.
Store unused paint and solvents in the garage, shed, or outbuilding where people and pets are unlikely to spend much time. If you know you won’t ever use it again, offer it to a friend or family member or simply dispose of it. But, be sure to dispose of them responsibly.
Cleaning House:
When cleaning, opt for environmentally friendly products. There are many such companies, and new companies are emerging every day that use natural ingredients to clean your home.
I suggest Method or Ecover these products use plant-derived ingredients that are VOCs-free and safe for you and your dog.
White Vinegar is a homeowner’s best friend. It can be used in many different ways and is also a great odor-neutralizer.
Activated charcoal is also a good odor-neutralizer and air-purfier. Place or hang bags around your home and you’ll soon notice odors disappear.
For mopping floors, use a steam mop. They have proven to kill up to 99% of bacteria in our homes. And they only use water! They also kill dust mites! Most fabrics on sofas and curtains can tolerate steam too so this is a great way to freshen up the whole house – be sure to check the label first!
Laundry:
Ditch the fabric softener! Method has a great VOCs-free fabric softener with different scents if you feel you can’t do without it.
However, white vinegar works just as well. Just add a cup to the fabric softener dispenser. It’s also perfectly safe for your machine (seals and all). A much better option for those with sensitive skin!
Air Fresheners & Plug-Ins:
If you have them just take them out and get rid of them. They are a fire hazard and a known carcinogen.
If you use candles find those that use natural fragrances and soy wax. If you use diffusers, use those with essential oils that are safe for dogs and cats. Some essential oils are very toxic for dogs, but safe for cats and some are safe for cats but very toxic for dogs. So, if using diffusers with essential oils, be careful.
Other Ways To Reduce VOCs In Your Home:
- Open windows whenever possible
- If using a toxic cleaner, follow product instructions
- Never mix cleaners
With these 5 cleaning hacks, you may not be able to completely rid VOCs in your home, you can certainly lower the risks with these few detoxing hacks.