Swiffer Wet Jet Pet Rumor

image 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).

Animals Email Hoaxes

Posted on Mon May 10, 2004



Comments

I am so sorry to hear about all those pets that are dying. I am also sorry that someone thinks it has to do with a product they bought to clean the floors. I think more people should look into the quality of pet food they are feeding their pets. Most are made from by products that are not safe for humans, but yet they are worried about what is in the cleaner. And then people also feed their pets scraps from the table, I understand that isn't good for our pets either.
Posted by Birdee  on  Wed Jan 28, 2009  at  11:47 AM
Birdee.....

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?
Posted by Tina  on  Wed Jan 28, 2009  at  12:12 PM
I used one of those grippy jar openers to pry open the lid and it worked. I fill the container with whatever cleaner I wish.
Posted by ahanna  on  Tue Feb 10, 2009  at  12:38 PM
OK, I found mine on the closet floor too. Thanks, Todd!
Posted by Deb  on  Thu Feb 12, 2009  at  05:25 PM
I can relate to these sad stories. Nine months ago we adopted a healthy 3 year old Jack Russel, about 3 months ago he got terrible sick throwing up, couldn't walk falling all over. We took him to the vet and they did stomach surgery right away. Nothing was found but he never came out of it after. Both vets we took him to said it was very odd. They both said he was poisoned. Well being it was winter and our dog was mostly a house dog it seemed odd. Until we thought of the bad habit he had, he always walked around licking the floors, like it tasted good. Well we had to put the dog down after three days of seeing him suffer. I believe with all my heart this is what killed my dog and I will never use anything on my floors other than good old vinegar and water. I hope more people write so this does not kill to many more loved pets because it has broke my heart.
Sheri
Posted by sheri  on  Wed Feb 18, 2009  at  07:58 PM
I have used the swifter wet jet for months now, and have a dog and cats. None of them have ever gotten sick. According to the company and ASPCA, there is nothing in there that could hurt an animal. It's ridiculous to think that there is enough residue left on the floor that could kill them! I love my wet jet and find that my solution lasts a long time, so is a good buy (as opposed to regular swifter pads).
Posted by Katt  on  Sun Mar 01, 2009  at  02:59 PM
I had a wolf hybrid back home in AZ and we started using the Swiffer wet jet on the floors. She became very ill, and within 1 year she passed away. I think Swiffer just came out saying their product didn't do that because they are trying to save their butts. I loved that dog. Thanks alot swiffer!
Posted by Dena  on  Tue Mar 10, 2009  at  06:08 AM
TODD IS THE MAN! I spent an hour questioning my abilty to function in society because I couldn't find where the batteries go on my mop until I read his post. Right there in the cleaning closet!! Are you watching me?
Posted by BuzzFW  on  Sat Mar 14, 2009  at  03:42 PM
I have a healthy 2.5 yr yorkie. I bought the swiffer a month ago after hearing the rumor was a hoax. on Tues. I rushed her to the vet to where she was diagnosed with HGE, but the vet said her liver enzymes were the highest he'd seen in a HGE (20 yrs or so as vet). She spent 2 nights there on IV treatment & is home now with 3 different meds (one for liver treatment) and has to be retested in 2 weeks. I know swiffer says its all a hoax but I am not so sure as there have been no other prods. new in my home. There is still the possibility of getting in to something outside, but we won't be able to tell. The vet did say liver enzymes indicated something toxic/poisonus. I hope this helps with anyone else in a similar situation or considering the produdct
Posted by love my puppy  on  Sat Mar 28, 2009  at  03:08 PM
My question is, are the pets that are getting sick licking the floor? And also for the people who say it is a hoax and their pets have not gotten sick, are your pets licking the floor? That could be a big variable here! My dog just got back from being hospitalized, and I had just purchased a wet jet prior. They assumed he had salmom poisoning, but didn't find it in his stool sample. He is getting better, but I have not used the wet jet since. Whether it was salmon poisoning or not, I will no longer be using a wet jet! I also have a son who will be crawling soon and choose not to take the chance!!!
Posted by nita  on  Wed Apr 01, 2009  at  01:47 PM
Seriously, "Todd from Jersey" has emancipated legions of idiots who are stuck thinking inside the box! After I read several comments about his post, I thought "who are these fruitcakes that don't realize the battery cover is already off?"
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!
Posted by Ryan in Birmingham, AL  on  Mon Apr 06, 2009  at  11:05 PM
Todd is my hero! To think the best laugh I've had in a month was in my cleaning closet!
Posted by marci  on  Sun Apr 19, 2009  at  10:42 AM
I have had a swiffer wetjet with the cleaning solution stored in it for the last I don't know how long. I put it away because I didn't like how it made the floors feel. Two weeks ago, I got an 8 week young Havachon puppy, Wyatt (he's a little guy about 2 lbs.). I confine him mostly to my linoleum floored kitchen which he loves to lick. I pull out the swiffer for fast and easy cleanups in our potty training endeavor, that is until this past Sunday. This past Saturday, Wyatt began throwing up and was lethargic. Sunday, the diaharea began but the throwing up stopped. Today, Monday, he was doing both. I took him to the vet who diagnosed him with having parasites (not of the worm type) in his intestines. While at the vet's office, Wyatt relieved himself and it was red in color which required a parvo test and thank goodness it came out negative. I left him at the vet overnight for observation as he is highly dehydrated.

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.
Posted by susan  on  Mon Apr 27, 2009  at  04:14 PM
You are an idiot if you think a swiffer killed your pet.
Posted by Messer  on  Fri May 01, 2009  at  12:20 PM
TODD UR THE MAN! I WAS ABOUT TO SMASH THIS STUPID THING AFTER I CUT MY FINGER AND FOUND OUT WHY THERE IS A LITTLE STICKER THAT SHOWS NOT TO PUT YOUR HAND INSIDE THE SOAP COMPARTMENT. MY ROOMATE TOOK THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT OFF THE SWIFFER TO USE THE BATTERIES AND DIDNT PUT THE COMPARTMENT BACK!!!! THAT EXPLAINS WHY I COULD REMOVE IT. IT WASNT THERE LOL
Posted by Swiffer HATE  on  Wed May 06, 2009  at  01:09 PM
I love my swiffer vacuum and wet jet and use them both several times a day. My problem is the handle came loose on my wet jet and completely falls apart to expose the wires. Needless to say, it is extremely hard to use unless I hold the handle way down by the split. My son says I have probably worn it out!!! It is only 7 months old....and I love it. Any ideas???????
Posted by Marianne Boss  on  Fri Aug 14, 2009  at  08:42 AM
Wow, it's been several years and TODD is still helping with the battery compartment problem. I've been trying to pry mine open for days and finally decided to check online to see if this is a common problem. VOILA, battery compartment right there on the floor next to Mr. Mop. THANKS TODD!!!
Posted by Gina  on  Wed Aug 19, 2009  at  10:05 PM
Swiffer wet jet not only gave my floors a glossy like-new complexion, but my 13 year old, 2-legged golden retriever grew back one of his legs after the third time we used the cleaning solution on our kitchen floors. it was a miracle.
Posted by Michael  on  Thu Aug 20, 2009  at  10:26 PM
Todd you are the man, I looked at this thing for 45 minutes and I'm like there is no battery anywhere to be found on this! found it in the closet
Posted by Mark  on  Tue Aug 25, 2009  at  05:04 PM
I have a 4 month old shihtzu puppy who has been in perfect health. I got a new Swifter Wet Jet and used it yesterday. Our puppy nearly dies. He vomited and foamed at the mouth and is lifeless.
Posted by Patti Dupree  on  Sat Sep 05, 2009  at  09:18 AM
I've read all the rebuttals regarding the swiffer wet jet cloths. Just this past weekend two family pets became extremely sick after tearing apart a dried swiffer pad. I do not think it is a coincidence. While both pets were older (9 and 10) they both were healthy until they ripped apart the swiffer pad. Just to be cautious I would definitely suggest the pads be kept away form pets.
Posted by Mary  on  Tue Sep 08, 2009  at  08:14 AM
Todd:

It is hard to believe, when I read your note about the Swifter Battery Compartment, however, upon searching the laundry room floor, THERE IT WAS !!!!

Sometime we get so frustated by what we are trying to do, we can't see the problem.

Thanks
Posted by Robert A.  on  Fri Sep 25, 2009  at  12:36 PM
I used a pair of pliers and removed the cap and poured my soultion into the bottle. I then put the cap back on and it worked fine.
Posted by Jimmy  on  Mon Oct 12, 2009  at  04:08 PM
I will never buy a swiffer product again because it's just a big money racket. I can't find pads that fit my model any more, and the ones they have there cost $7 and I"m not about to buy them only to find that they don't fit. Also, I opened the box in the store to eyeball them to see if I thought I could make them fit and I can't even figure out how the tape crap on them even works. And yes, the old formula left my floor streaky and dull anyway. Why is it that you have to spend $500 to geto something that actually cleans floors and isn't a piece of crap.
Posted by Sk8rgrl23  on  Sun Nov 01, 2009  at  06:51 AM
Thanks so much for the battery post. I to have been trying to figure out how to get the screws open to change batteries to no avail. Lo and behold, after reading, I just went to the broom closet and looked on the floor - there's the battery pack! Thanks for the great post!
Posted by Sue  on  Thu Dec 03, 2009  at  08:51 PM
Does the company that makes the wet jet solution experiment on DOG? ask them the question.
Posted by THOM  on  Sun Dec 06, 2009  at  09:42 AM
Todd, you are amazing. I have been trying to figure out how to change the stupid battery on my Swiffer for the past two weeks. I was in the process of dissecting the thing and read your post. It was on the floor in the closet. Oops!
Posted by Jenny  on  Mon Dec 14, 2009  at  03:07 PM
I believe 100% that swiffer wet jet is responsible for killing both my cats! I had two kittens, the same age, from 2 different families. Roscoe died at a year old, Ralph died 6 months later. They said Ralph had Kidney failure. Roscoe walked out, so we don't know. they were both healthy, had all their shots, and regular check-ups. They didn;t die the next day, it was gradual. Roscoe licked his feet more, that's why I think he died first. After he died, I started cleaning the floor much more often... I found out about the "rumor" years later. It explains everything. It makes much more sense now. RIP Roscoe and Ralphie.
Posted by Liyonzzie081  on  Wed Feb 24, 2010  at  08:46 PM
This is very weird. My cat died in October and she had many of the same symptoms. I came home from work at 8am one day and hear the cat meowing in pain I find her hidden behind the couch and she wouldn't look at me. When I moved the couch and got to her she was foaming at the mouth really badly and besides a few moans, she was lifeless. Took her right the the vet and they kept her and put her on oxygen. The vet said the cat had anemia and her body was refusing a blood transfusion. The cat was only 7 years old and was very healthy even the night before. Had all her shots and checkups. Unfortunatly the cat had a couple bad seizures and was dead by 2pm.
Posted by JSK  on  Fri Feb 26, 2010  at  03:13 PM
by the way, my wife uses the swiffer on the kitchen floor about 3 times a week.
Posted by JSK  on  Fri Feb 26, 2010  at  03:14 PM
...Lets think about this... A BIG multi billion dollar company is being blamed for deaths. Hm... I wonder if they will admit to them.. or get their greedy little hands to people who 'review' the product *eyes even aspca* to say "no scientific evidence".

Here's some for you, though it has nothing to do with pets. When i was in college, i had 2 roommates. Ok, we were clean but not the 'cleanest' women inthe kitchen. Low and behold, we got ants and beetles in the spring (like in any apartment place). Now... we tried everything to get rid of them, sprays etc to no end.

My one roommate bought a swiffer wet jet,to help keep the place clean. We used it once on thekitchen floor... and, ohmy, allthe insects died or disappeared. And dont comment saying our floor was gross, it was clean.

So... if you dont have pets, dont walk around in bare feet, or have small children. Buy a swiffer wet jet to kill your bug problem. lol

Oh... and just so you know. I am trained in public relations...... Basically, if something bad happens to my company, i'm the one who SPINS the issue to make it all better. ...You have no idea how many products on the market are bad for you but the public thinks are good for you. Due to a lot of money rubbing on a lot of hands in government organizations. Lets mehonest, people... If someone came up to you and was going to give you 60k to say this product is a good one... um... i would. its money.
Posted by Rachel  on  Fri Apr 02, 2010  at  11:00 AM
First off before you accuse make sure your damn right! I have a 7 month old lab, a 4yr old cat and a 3 yr old pug, i have used the swiffer wet jet and wet wipes pretty much since they came out. And all animals are living and healthy. Those of you out there who are pointing fingers make sure you know for sure what caused your pet to be sick, they may have got into something that you don't know about. I am pretty sure that if it does kill dogs, my lab would be dead because he licks the floor constantly when he thinks there is a possibility of there being food and when he eats. And the other animals bowls are on the floor. Take your animals to the Vet people, if they think your animal has been into some type anti-freeze 9 times out of 10 they have!
Posted by Stace  on  Mon Apr 12, 2010  at  04:47 PM
lmao!!! Thanks Todd, i read how everyone found their battery compartment on the closet floor, i have been trying to figure out to change the batteries for over a month now, and was ready to throw it out and buy a new one, but i figured id give it a shot after reading this and check the closet, SURE ENOUGH!! hahaha.
makes me laugh.
thanks again!
Posted by Mysti  on  Fri May 28, 2010  at  11:19 AM
Funny - I googled - "How do you change swiffer batteries?"

And I got this site...so I started looking around for the battery compartment!

Awesome, Thanks! :coolsmile:
Posted by Angela  on  Sun Jun 27, 2010  at  06:09 PM
Comments: Page 2 of 3 pages  < 1 2 3 > 
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.