Choosing a Household Disinfectant When You Live With Pets
Three disinfectants are common in every home: 75% alcohol, diluted bleach and hypochlorous acid water. Which is best for a household with pets? Hypochlorous acid water is the most suitable choice for homes with pets.
| 75% alcohol | Diluted bleach | Hypochlorous acid water | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around pets | ❌ | ❌ | ⭕ |
| Cleaning pet items | ❌ | ❌ | ⭕ |
| Notes | 1. Never spray directly on pets or within 1 m of them. 2. Even low doses can damage a pet's liver function. | 1. Avoid spraying — it irritates the airways. 2. Do not dilute with hot water. 3. Never mix with acids, ammonia or amines — harmful compounds form. | 1. Small accidental ingestion or contact is unlikely to harm pets. 2. Use 100–300 ppm for environmental disinfection (200 ppm or below for food surfaces). |
Avoid disinfection zones on walks. Most public spraying uses diluted bleach, which is corrosive to skin and mucous membranes; if ingested it can cause nausea, drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Reminder: don't let your pet lick anything outdoors, and clean their paws thoroughly when you get home.
