Teresa wrote in to ask about the truth of that email rumor going around alleging that the Swiffer Wet Jet cleaning fluid contains antifreeze and can be fatal to pets (you can read
the full text of that email rumor here). Swiffer itself
addresses this rumor on its corporate website, so it can be pretty easily debunked. It's totally false. But since I'm on the subject of Swiffers, I've got to note something about them that I find incredibly annoying... how you can only use Swiffer brand cleaning fluid with the Wet Jet. And, of course, the Swiffer brand fluid ain't cheap. Out of frustration, I ended up carving a hole in the top of the Swiffer brand bottle and pouring generic cleaning fluid into it, but that didn't work well at all since the fluid kept splashing up out of the bottle whenever I moved it too vigorously. So yes, Swiffer may be innocent of killing pets, but in my books they're still guilty of selling overpriced cleaning fluid. Yeah, I could stop using the Wet Jet entirely, but I don't want to do that because I like how the Wet Jet works. I just don't like being forced to buy only Swiffer brand fluid to use in it. (Sorry about the rant).
Comments
We thought you all were crazy to think the battery pack could have fallen off.
Turns out - it was on the floor where we keep the mops.
Thanks!
Finally fixed the swifter. Battery compartment was right where you said it would be. Never even thought to chech there. Now I can replace all the screws.
I was also irritated with the fact you can only buy the swiffer cleaner for the wet jet. BS in my opinion!!! I started cutting a small hole in the top, then pouring a little diluted bleach (&water;) in the top. We have tile floors in the downstairs of our house, and with a dog and a 3 year old the floors can get pretty dirty! I always put a old rag, or cotton ball where the hole is so the water doesn't slosh out of the top all over the floor.
Its much better than paying almost $8 for the refills!!!
: D
What is this world coming to
And I too have to thank Todd for making me look for the battery compartment!
Swiffer Wet Jet Pet Rumor THINGY
BUT DID LOOK UP SEVERAL SITES
THE USPCA IS FROM 2004 IT SAYS THE FOLLOWING:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Responds to Swiffer Wet Jet Rumor
Friday, May 7, 2004
Veterinary Toxicologists regard allegations of liver failure and death from household cleaner as unfounded.
Media Contacts: Dana Farbman, CVT
(217)-337-9751
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Urbana, IL) May 6, 2004 -- Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have reviewed the claim described in a widely distributed email alleging a relationship between the use of Swiffer Wet Jet and liver failure in a dog. The email alleges that exposure to the ingredients in Swiffer Wet Jet caused a dog's death.
The Swiffer Wet Jet system contains water (90-100%), propylene glycol n-propyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and isopropyl alcohol (1-4%). These ingredients are safe to use around pets when used according to label directions and would not cause liver damage at product concentrations. Propylene glycol n-butyl/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most antifreeze products. Ethylene glycol is frequently implicated in causing renal failure in dogs following antifreeze ingestion. Propylene glycol n-propyl ether and propylene glycol n-butyl ether are very safe ingredients at levels used in cleaning products and do not cause kidney or liver failure.
AND STILL I WAS NOT CONVINCED SO I DID SOME HOMEWORK ON THE CHEMICALS- ALL FACTS
CHECK OUT THIS SITE :
CHEMINFO:
***** http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/chemical/prpglnme/cie178.htm - 53k
*****
Propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether
Propylene glycol n-propyl ether. Propylene glycol monopropyl ether .... First Aid Comments: Consult a doctor and/or the nearest Poison Control Centre for ...
IT IS A CHEMICAL THAT HAS PROPERTIES WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER CHEMICALS EX:
WAX ON YOUR FLOORS
OTHER CLEANING AGENTS ON THE FLOOR OR IN THE AIR
INCLUDED IN THE STUDIES IS THIS SMALL FACT, IF INGESTED ;
Ingestion:
In acute lethality studies, high doses caused central nervous system (CNS) depression and some evidence of kidney injury.(1, unconfirmed) In another acute lethality study, rats showed signs of CNS depression (sluggishness, an unsteady gait and prostration) at 1770 mg/kg (cited as 2.0 mL/kg) PGnMPE and above. Autopsy showed a reddened glandular stomachs and dark red lungs. No abnormalities were seen in surviving animals.(3)
SO I SAY, THE HELL WITH SWIFFER......ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS MAKING MONEY !! NOT YOU OR I !!
WHAT RHYMES WITH SWIFFER..........STIFFER
SO I'D LIKE TO NOW CALL THIS PRODUCT.......
STIFFER PET JET.....KILLS BETTER THAN A MOP AND BUCKET, GUARANTEED !!
Swiffer Wet Jet Pet Rumor THINGY
BUT DID LOOK UP SEVERAL SITES
THE USPCA IS FROM 2004 IT SAYS THE FOLLOWING:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Responds to Swiffer Wet Jet Rumor
Friday, May 7, 2004
Veterinary Toxicologists regard allegations of liver failure and death from household cleaner as unfounded.
Media Contacts: Dana Farbman, CVT
(217)-337-9751
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Urbana, IL) May 6, 2004 -- Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have reviewed the claim described in a widely distributed email alleging a relationship between the use of Swiffer Wet Jet and liver failure in a dog. The email alleges that exposure to the ingredients in Swiffer Wet Jet caused a dog's death.
The Swiffer Wet Jet system contains water (90-100%), propylene glycol n-propyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether and isopropyl alcohol (1-4%). These ingredients are safe to use around pets when used according to label directions and would not cause liver damage at product concentrations. Propylene glycol n-butyl/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most antifreeze products. Ethylene glycol is frequently implicated in causing renal failure in dogs following antifreeze ingestion. Propylene glycol n-propyl ether and propylene glycol n-butyl ether are very safe ingredients at levels used in cleaning products and do not cause kidney or liver failure.
AND STILL I WAS NOT CONVINCED SO I DID SOME HOMEWORK ON THE CHEMICALS- ALL FACTS
CHECK OUT THIS SITE :
CHEMINFO:
***** http://www.intox.org/databank/documents/chemical/prpglnme/cie178.htm - 53k
*****
Propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether
Propylene glycol n-propyl ether. Propylene glycol monopropyl ether .... First Aid Comments: Consult a doctor and/or the nearest Poison Control Centre for ...
IT IS A CHEMICAL THAT HAS PROPERTIES WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER CHEMICALS EX:
WAX ON YOUR FLOORS
OTHER CLEANING AGENTS ON THE FLOOR OR IN THE AIR
INCLUDED IN THE STUDIES IS THIS SMALL FACT, IF INGESTED ;
Ingestion:
In acute lethality studies, high doses caused central nervous system (CNS) depression and some evidence of kidney injury.(1, unconfirmed) In another acute lethality study, rats showed signs of CNS depression (sluggishness, an unsteady gait and prostration) at 1770 mg/kg (cited as 2.0 mL/kg) PGnMPE and above. Autopsy showed a reddened glandular stomachs and dark red lungs. No abnormalities were seen in surviving animals.(3)
SO I SAY, THE HELL WITH SWIFFER......ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS MAKING MONEY !! NOT YOU OR I !!
WHAT RHYMES WITH SWIFFER..........STIFFER
SO I'D LIKE TO NOW CALL THIS PRODUCT.......
STIFFER PET JET.....KILLS BETTER THAN A MOP AND BUCKET, GUARANTEED !!
I DON'T KNOW I HAD JUST COME BACK FROM MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE SHE USES THE STIFFER......MAYBE I INJESTED SOME AND IT'S GOING TO WORK ON MY NUERONS CAUSING ALS TO SET IN, MY NERVOUS SYSTEM OVERLOADED AND HIT THE DANG POST A SECOND TIME BECAUSE I COULD NOT REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME !!....
LOL- ONLY KIDDING !!
Just so you know my mom got the dog food that her dogs ate from her VET. And thats the only dog food they got so you tell me how did her 2 of her 3 house dogs out of the blue get liver and kininey damage that was too far gone to be helped?
Sheri
Then I realized--I was one of the stupid ones!
I should have known that the shiny metal pieces below the bottle-release were, in fact, battery terminals. Unfortunately, our battery cover got lost in the move. They should really improve the design if this many people are losing their battery covers without noticing! Or maybe it's marketing genius--making us all replace our perfectly good swiffers with new ones!
The vet said that the parasites probably came from Wyatt drinking stagnant water, licking infected urine or eating infected feces. I have no other dogs and Wyatt is highly supervised when he goes outside in the front yard. On Sunday, I remembered about the swiffer rumor email and immediately cleaned up the kitchen area using plain old vinegar and water. Many say that the swiffer cleaning solution is "safe" consisting mostly of water. However, if the solution consists mostly of water, do the remaining compounds hinder parasites from growing? And if the remaining compounds do hinder the growth of parasites, could it possibly be safe for children and pets? I'm not looking to blame swiffer for Wyatt's problems but I'd sure like to rule it out.
I do like the unit and after reading the other posts, will now figure out how to get the cap off of the bottle and replace with the cheaper and natural vinegar and water solution.