Really gentle cleaning products?

[PWCorgi]

So I'm trying to figure out if some of Frodo's allergies are related to environmental things now that I have his food issues mostly sorted out.

His allergies get worse in the winter so I'm thinking maybe some dusts and such are causing issues? So I want to start doing more cleaning, and more thorough cleaning on a regular basis (I may die) to see if we can cut down on some of that. I'm also toying with the idea of buying a humidifier to cut down on how dry it is, which I read can affect winter allergies a lot.

I also want to switch to less harsh chemicals (Clorox and I have a bad romance going on) both because it'll just be safer, and because that could be an issue as well. I can get the Pawganics stuff at work, and plan on buying the all purpose cleaner and ordering in the wipes for the countertops if I can.

A friend also brought up the idea of using diatomaceous earth to kill dust mites? Anyone tried that before? I'd have to move the rats and lock animals in rooms for that, but it might be worth it if it'll help.

I also just bought some Tide Free & Gentle to use in the washing machine instead of the other stuff I had been using.

Any other ideas or suggestions? Both for brands and for any kind of cleaning that may help?

Thanks in advance

 

[milos_mommy]

Diluted vinegar cleans a lot of things. I use that for most cleaning.

A humidifier will be so worth it. You need to get a good one for it to work...but even if it doesn't help frodo's allergies, I guarantee you'll feel better

 

[Greenmagick]

All you really need is vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a bit of castile (or any kind really)soap for pretty much everything you could possibly need to clean (not necessarily all at the same time). I like adding some essential oil to make them smell good and added bonus is many have antibacterial properties.

 

[JessLough]

No, I think she definitely needs to mix vinegar and baking soda together...

I don't find that either vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or baking soda even touch the ferret cage in terms of being able to clean. Honestly, my favourite cleaners are these green works things from the local store... LOL

 

[Greenmagick]

Oh see those work awesome for my rat cage.

 

[JessLough]

It may be because I have assholes who just crap all over the plastic shelves, and urine smell does not like to come out of plastic.

I also fail at cleaning skills. I have NONE. :rofl1:

 

[PWCorgi]

Thanks guys!!


I just clean the rat cage with water? lol And I soak all of their ladders and such in really hot water.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

I use Windex Multi-Purpose with Vinegar for EVERYTHING. I tend to wipe down counters and such with wet rag, then spray the Multi-Purpose, wiping off with a dry rag. Seems to work great and its on the "eco-friendly" list. Just another thing you could look at.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Are you sure it's allergies and not dry skin? Have you considered a humidifier?

 

[Maliraptor]

When I was a baby I was allergic to everything. My parents had to use a brand called Shacklee for laundry, cleaning, etc around me.

I outgrew the allergy, but keep an eye on dealers around me because I've been told chances are better than not that my allergies will return when I get older.

 

[Saeleofu]

Definitely a humidifier. It makes a huge difference for my dogs and myself in the winter.

Vinegar is awesome at cleaning most things. At the zoo we used Nolvasan to clean pretty much everything, but it's expensive stuff (but you can probably find a generic for cheaper on Amazon...it's chlorhexadine acetate, NOT chlorhexadine gluconate). We use nolvasan because it's safe for all our animals, even the amphibians.

 

[Maliraptor]

Vinegar is awesome at cleaning most things. At the zoo we used Nolvasan to clean pretty much everything, but it's expensive stuff (but you can probably find a generic for cheaper on Amazon...it's chlorhexadine acetate, NOT chlorhexadine gluconate). We use nolvasan because it's safe for all our animals, even the amphibians.

I clean crates with Vinegar.

LOVE Nolvasan, it's the best.

 

[ACooper]

Are you sure it's allergies and not dry skin? Have you considered a humidifier?

It could even be a combination of both, and the dry air just exacerbates the other symptoms. If you don't have a humidifier, I'd make that my number one list item for environmental change.

I agree with those who have mentioned vinegar-mix stronger or weaker depending on job (I use stronger for cleaning shower/tub hard water.....weaker for mopping/mirrors/laundry rinse), essential oils-for nice smelling vinegar, soap, baking soda, and I use bleach but I'm not concerned about anyone with allergies here. Those are about the only cleaners I buy anymore.....except of course borax, super washing soda, and felsnaptha (all to make my laundry soap)

 

[GipsyQueen]

While I am not a dog - I am allergic to basically everything. YAY.

Anywho, I mostly use 7th generation cleaners as well as laundry soup & softner.

Vinegar essence works great too. I use it to clean the bunny's toilet and it takes all the urine (smell and color) OUT of the plastic.

 

[katielou]

Put some orange peel in vinegar in a jar for a few weeks then you have nice smelling all purpose cleaner!

 

[jenv101]

I use vinegar and water for a lot of things - glass, floors, counter tops, dog crates, stove etc I use it for cleaning up raw meat mess on the counters and I've never had any issues - good disinfectant and odor killer for most things.

Health food stores usually carry all natural laundry detergents as well if you want something really gentle. You can make your own with borax, washing soda and castille soap (or I've heard ivory soap works too) to like someone else mentioned.

My dogs are dry and itchy right now too - just the time of year!

 

[CaliTerp07]

Shark shark shark shark!

I use it to "mop" (does it count if there's no soap?) constantly, and it does a great job. They make a hand held version for countertops and shower walls and such too.

 

[Greenmagick]

Oh yeah, I have a Hahn Steam mop and a handheld steam cleaner too..LOVE them

 

[Southpaw]

Yeah vinegar is pretty great. I don't do much cleaning in the first place lol, but I'll use vinegar to clean stinky spots in the rat cage, and I use it in place of fabric softener when I do the dog/rat laundry. It neutralizes odor, which is much needed because I use gentle laundry detergent for their stuff, and I feel like everything still smells like animal if I don't add in the vinegar.

That's the extent of my cleaning knowledge.

 

[Dogdragoness]

Does a humidifier help with nasal congestion? We both have been having horrible problems with no working nasal passages :/ I think if I blow my nose one more time I will die :/.

I have used rubbing alcohol, I also got curious & googled "natural cleaning alternatives" & variants of that & a bunch of stuff came up ... But I'm on my phone & it's too had to copy/paste links