4.28.2008
A Visit From Ferndale's Finest
We were in the middle of cleaning the house yesterday when one of our smoke/carbon monoxide alarms went off. Figuring the battery was low, we took it down and removed the battery. About 5 minutes later another alarm went off. This one is a digital carbon monoxide alarm. And it said in bright red capital letters: GAS.
We threw Zoe in her cat carrier in case we would have to evacuate and called the fire department. They parked the big red fire engine in front of our house and I'm sure we instantly became the talk of the neighborhood. They took readings all over our house and tested the furnace and water heater. They didn't register any levels of carbon monoxide or gas. Their best guess was that both alarms had low batteries. Which didn't really make sense since one of them plugs into a wall outlet.
After they left, I went back to cleaning and it happened again! This time it gave a gas level reading, which according to the manual, is considered a high level of gas. Since the fire department had JUST left and it went back to 0 right after that, we didn't call them to come back. Luckily, it didn't happen again.
As I was reading the entire carbon monoxide detector manual last night, I came across a section that lists some things that can trigger the alarm to go off. The very last thing mentioned is cleaning products. I had been mopping with the Swiffer Wet Jet when it went off the first time. And went back to mopping before it went off the second time. I've used the Wet Jet before, but had just replaced the mop solution yesterday. I looked online today and sure enough, I found other people that had the same thing happen.
What kind of cleaning solution have I been using that is detected as gas by a carbon monoxide detector? Does anyone else use the Swiffer Wet Jet? Have you ever had this happen with that, or any other cleaning products? I love the convenience of the Wet Jet, but am thinking about switching to something a little more environmentally friendly. Let me know if you have any suggestions for something else that is easy to use, but maybe not so full of chemicals!
We threw Zoe in her cat carrier in case we would have to evacuate and called the fire department. They parked the big red fire engine in front of our house and I'm sure we instantly became the talk of the neighborhood. They took readings all over our house and tested the furnace and water heater. They didn't register any levels of carbon monoxide or gas. Their best guess was that both alarms had low batteries. Which didn't really make sense since one of them plugs into a wall outlet.
After they left, I went back to cleaning and it happened again! This time it gave a gas level reading, which according to the manual, is considered a high level of gas. Since the fire department had JUST left and it went back to 0 right after that, we didn't call them to come back. Luckily, it didn't happen again.
As I was reading the entire carbon monoxide detector manual last night, I came across a section that lists some things that can trigger the alarm to go off. The very last thing mentioned is cleaning products. I had been mopping with the Swiffer Wet Jet when it went off the first time. And went back to mopping before it went off the second time. I've used the Wet Jet before, but had just replaced the mop solution yesterday. I looked online today and sure enough, I found other people that had the same thing happen.
What kind of cleaning solution have I been using that is detected as gas by a carbon monoxide detector? Does anyone else use the Swiffer Wet Jet? Have you ever had this happen with that, or any other cleaning products? I love the convenience of the Wet Jet, but am thinking about switching to something a little more environmentally friendly. Let me know if you have any suggestions for something else that is easy to use, but maybe not so full of chemicals!
// posted by monica @ 7:17 PM 
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Yikes! We have one too but don't use it often enough (yes, please don't inspect our floors...) - but it makes me think twice about using it again - especially with the kids and dogs. Hmmm...will be curious to see what others have to say.
That is bizarre - and disturbing. I don't have the wet-jet, but I do have the "wet" swiffers....although, lately I have done more mopping with Method, because with Isaac - the wet swiffers just don't cut it!
So - what are your thoughts? Going to keep using it? Or, use it only when you can have good ventilation?
So - what are your thoughts? Going to keep using it? Or, use it only when you can have good ventilation?
I just re-read this and saw you already said you were changing to something more enviro-friendly....duh.
I had that happen to me before a long time ago. The alarm kept going off even though it was plugged in the wall. I was so concerned I just unplugged it and never put it back in!! LOL But now it makes me wonder what I was doing at the time..hmm. I don't use the Wet Jet though so I can't help you out there.
There are all kinds of environmentally friendly cleaners. I still use my swiffer but I spray the floor first and then clean. I used to use a cleaner from Meijer that was just lemongrass and baking soda. It was their all purpose cleaner. Last time I mopped (yeah doesnt happen too often), I used vinegar and water in a spray bottle (we use this on our counters too) and it seemed to work just fine and the floors look clean.
Pretty much all our cleaners are enviro friendly now. The only problem is I am not sure what to do with what is left of the old ones.
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Pretty much all our cleaners are enviro friendly now. The only problem is I am not sure what to do with what is left of the old ones.
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