Swifter Sweeper Bad for Kids?

Updated on February 23, 2007
K.M. asks from Fort Myers, FL
8 answers

My coworker mentioned to me today that she read in the USA Today that Swifter Sweepers are under fire for the chemicals in them and how horrible they are for children. She couldn't remember any of the details, only that when she was reading the article she remembered thinking that it sounded bad enough that they should be taken off the market. I have all tile floor in my home and often use a swifter for small cleanups on the floor. My son is not walking yet, so the floor is his world, and I am very concerned. Has anyone else heard of this?

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C.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hey K., I too have gotten the e-mail circulation about the swiffer story killing a consumers pet. Maybe it strue and maybe its not, I have actually used a Swiffer for a very long time before I read this and when I did, I threw mine away. Its a great cleaning product, but the risk just isnt worth it. I have 3 pets and one beautiful baby girl and I would rather use the mop even though it takes up more of my time! Good Luck!

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A.H.

answers from Fort Myers on

here is a article on the myth about this, at the bottom it mentions kids. http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp

As with any chemical they need to be kept out of kids reach and thoughouly wiped off from any where kids may touch and put in their mouth. Did you know vinegar is a great disenfectant and cleaner? And WAY more safe than the things on the cleaning isle.

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi, you can check out all kinds of rumors, urban legends etc at www.snopes.com
Here is proven false rumor about the swiffer and house pets
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp
I can't find anything on google or usa today about the dangers of the swiffer system but you can check it out on www.google.com and www.usatoday.com

Let us know if you find out anything either way.

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L.B.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

Yes, I have heard the same thing - actually - my old boss told me that one of his friend's had a dog who died, due to the chemicals in the sweeper cleaner - the dog walks all over the floor, licks his paws, then he got sick, they finally linked the dogs death to the cleaner. I wont use it in my house anymore.

NOW... reading more about this and investigating myself --- I guess my old boss's friend must have seen this story too, and sounded good for his dog!!!! I still don't use it however. :)

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B.A.

answers from Tampa on

It's an urban legend. There is nothing dangerous about the Swiffer Sweeper. If that were the case, they would be pulling them off the shelves and it would be the headline on every newscast. I think your friend was just repeating something someone else had said to her without checking out it's validity.

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A.C.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

I sure would also like to know the answer to this as well. I have 2.5 yr old boy twins, one of which is not walking and a dog as well. I use the swiffer wet jet every other day because one of my sons isn't walking yet. I did hear it was harmful to dogs, but so far no problem with my dog as of yet.

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D.

answers from Boca Raton on

Hi, I searched USA Today.com's site for anything on Swiffer and there's nothing bad on there. Also, there was a rumor going around by e-mail a while back stating that the Swiffer WetJet was dangerous for pets, but it was a hoax. Here is the link to the article about the hoax on Snopes.com:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp

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T.O.

answers from Fort Myers on

I recieved an email a little while back about the Swiffer and pets. In it a lady told a story about how her dog licked the floor after she had mopped with it and started acting funny. He was laying around sorta lifeless for a while and later died. The lady had a pet autopsy run and found out that the dog had ingested a chemical similiar to antifreeze and it had caused its organs to shut down. She contacted the company who makes Swiffer and they did not comment. I don't know how true it is but I have heard of it, and choose not to buy it JUST IN CASE. It's always better to be safe then sorry. O and by the way it is the model that uses the canister of liquid not the wet clothes if that makes a difference.

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