# Will my Swiffer kill the dogs?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-swiffer-kill-the-dogs/247767>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 30, 2004, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-swiffer-kill-the-dogs/247767 "2004-05-30T06:34:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-swiffer-kill-the-dogs/247767/1 "2004-05-30T06:34:31Z")

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I only have this in e-mail form and won’t link to an attachment, but here’s the gist of it.

It seems that the liquid cleaner for the Swiffer WetJet can poison animals. The writer claims that one of his dogs died after a few days of illness, and the vet concluded it was akin to the same poisoning animals suffer from antifreeze.

The writer goes on to say his dogs must have walked on a freshly cleaned floor then licked his paws, or the spray got into the food and water dishes. At this point he says he checked the bottle and it says it may be harmful to children and pets. (My bttle says kids only) and when he called the 800 number they said the solution was 1 molecule away from actual antifreeze.

:eek:

Bullshit detector went off. Now, I’m not a regular user of Snopes, so if anyone can find this little turd floating around, please link it for me.

Has anyone else heard of this gem? It sounded just plausible enough to make me think urban legend. Can anyone confirm it? Or is this really new?

Thanks for any help.

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**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-swiffer-kill-the-dogs/247767/2 "2004-05-30T06:45:41Z")

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> **[Is Swiffer WetJet Toxic to Pets?](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/swiffer-wetjet-pet-danger/)**
>
> An anonymous message warned of a dangerous ingredient lurking in a common household cleaning product.

Also a rebuttal from P&G:

> [@](#):
>
> There is a false Internet rumor circulating rapidly among pet owners alleging that Swiffer WetJet may contain antifreeze and is harmful to pets. The Wet cloths and WetJet liquid solution cleaners do not contain antifreeze or any ingredient similar to it. In fact, all Swiffer products are safe to use around pets.
> 
> We evaluated the Swiffer Wet cloths and WetJet cleaners to ensure they’re safe — a fact confirmed by the ASPCA, independent veterinarians and scientists. In fact, for nearly five years, people in over 38 million U.S. homes have safely used Swiffer products on everything from the kitchen and living room floors to tables and ceiling fans.
> 
> We have pets too, and their health and well-being is very important to us. Please help us stop this rumor by sharing the truth with others.

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**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-swiffer-kill-the-dogs/247767/3 "2004-05-30T06:59:05Z")

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Thanks, **Garfield**. I just knew this had to be bulshit, but as I said, I’m not familiar with the Snopes site. Thanks again.

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**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2004, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-swiffer-kill-the-dogs/247767/4 "2004-05-30T07:02:27Z")

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> [@duffer](#):
>
> as I said, I’m not familiar with the Snopes site.

It’s [www.Snopes.com](http://www.Snopes.com)

I recommend checking the “What’s New?” section at least once a week and browsing the archives whenever you’re bored.