How to Keep Your Home Healthy and Pet-Friendly

Bathroom:  Clean With Care

Even more important than in the kitchen, keep your pet out of the bathroom while cleaning. Many tub and toilet cleaning products, like rust removers, toilet bowl cleaners, and calcium and lime removers, cause corrosive injury or chemical burns.

Household bleach, like Clorox, is generally safe, but always be sure to follow the directions and properly dilute the product. “A big mistake we see is when someone is cleaning and they have a bleach and water solution in a bucket, they leave the room, the bucket has bleach and water left over, and their pets will drink right out of the bucket,” Dr. Lee says. “When in doubt, always be safe. It’s always a good idea to keep the fan on in the room to keep it ventilated while cleaning and keep the toilet seat covered.”