Many people don’t know that their little furry friend’s skin flakes are the reason behind their sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. Pet dander is the extremely small fragments of skin that are shed by cute little pets like cats, dogs, rabbits, and even birds. These pet danders are extremely small and are often hard to see by the naked eye. However, these microscopic particles can circulate in the air and can get stuck to items of furniture, carpets, and clothes.
Even though they are quite harmless to most people for some people they can cause allergic reactions which can trigger sneezing, and irritation in the eyes making them watery, runny nose, and having trouble breathing. It is vital for everyone to maintain a clean and healthy living space, especially for people who are suffering from respiratory disease. In this blog, we will discuss important things like the signs that your home has an excess amount of pet dander, how long can pet dander last in your home, top methods for reducing pet dander, and strategies to clean your home.
Warning Signs Of Too Much Pet Dander In Your Home
There are multiple signs of pet dander that you should never ignore for the safety and health of your loved ones. Below you will see common signs that your home is having an excess amount of pet dander.
- Bad Air Quality: The dander from your pets can get inside your HVAC systems causing blockage which will eventually reduce the quality of the air.
- Smelly Odors: Pet dander can cause terrible musty smells that can build up in the fabrics of the air.
- Dusty Surfaces: You will find layers of dust on your furniture, shelves, and carpets even after all your cleaning efforts.
- Guest Complaints: The guest in your house might experience allergic symptoms causing them to feel discomfort in your home.
How Long Does Pet Dander Last In Your Home?
Pet dander can last for months in your home, even when your pet is no longer a part of your home. These small particles are lightweight and can easily float in the air and settle on the top of furniture, curtains, carpets, and other surfaces of your house. Pet dander can be quite clingy to fabrics and can penetrate areas that are hard to reach. Even, with regular cleaning it will take some time to remove the pet dander from your home. There are certain things that can increase the longevity of pet dander like the type of materials that the dander is stuck to and the kind of ventilation system your home has. Hard surfaces like wood, metal, or tiles are quite easy to clean. However, rugs, carpets, and other furniture can be tough to clean.
Top Methods To Reduce Pet Dander
It is vital for you to manage your pet dander so that you will be able to create a cleaner and healthier home for your family members. Here are some top methods that you should follow to reduce pet dander.
1. Give Your Pet Regular Baths
The first step to reduce pet dander is to give your pet regular baths. It helps in removing the loose skin flakes, making them clean, and removing the allergens that can contribute to dander. While offering a bath you should use a gentle, pet-friendly shampoo as these products as specifically designed to reduce shedding and help moisturize the skin. This decreases the overall production of dander. The frequency of bathing your pet depends on the kind of animals and their breed.
2. Brush Your Pet To Reduce Dander
After bathing your pet the next step is to brush the hair and fur of your pet. It is one of the most common and simplest ways to control the pet dander. Brushing the coat of your pet can help remove the loose hairs and skin flakes before they fall off their skin and spread throughout your house. It is important that you use a high-quality grooming brush that is built specifically to suit the type of your pet. It is a good idea to brush your pet outdoors to prevent the dander from spreading indoors.
3. Use An Air Purifier To Reduce Pet Dander
There are many air purifiers that are equipped with HEPA filters which are highly effective in capturing airborne particles like the dander from your pet. You can easily place them in the rooms where your pets spend the majority of their time. Air purifiers will help you provide cleaner and more hygienic air to breathe. It is especially important for people who have respiratory diseases like asthma. To get even better results you need to pair the air purifier with a regular cleaning, this will make sure that you will have a clean and comfortable environment.
Effective Home Cleaning Strategies For Pet Dander
There are certain effective strategies that you can use to clean your home from pet dander. Especially when it comes to couches, carpets, and air ducts. Below you will see how to easily remove pet dander from these things.
1. Removing Pet Dander From Your Couch
Couches have soft textile covering making them one of the places where pet dander can get easily cling to. For cleaning your couch you need to start by vacuuming by using an attachment that is specially built to operate on the surface of the couch without causing any kind of damage to your furniture. This will let you remove and loose the hair, fur, and dander that are stuck to the surface. After that, you can use a lint roller or rubber gloves to properly remove these stubborn particles. For a deeper level of cleaning you can also consider using a steam cleaner that not only removes the dander but also helps in sanitizing the fabric.
2. Eliminate Pet Dander On The Carpet
Pet dander can get easily trapped deep in the fibers of the carpet which makes it quite hard to remove. Because of this reason, it becomes a powerful source of allergens and pollutants. Regular vacuuming with the use of a vacuum cleaner that is fitted with a HEPA filter. It will let to capture even the smallest dander particles from your carpet. To enhance the result you can sprinkle some amount of baking soda on the carpet before you start vacuuming. Baking soda has multiple benefits like it helps in loosening debris and can neutralize odors. You can also book a professional carpet cleaner occasionally to help maintain the freshness and keep your home free of allergens and pet dander.
3. Get Rid Of Pet Dander In Air Ducts
It is essential to maintain the air ducts properly or it will circulate the pet dander in your entire home. To get rid of pet dander from your air duct you can start by replacing the old air filters with new ones or you can wash them if you have washable air filters. This will help prevent pet dander from buildup in your HVAC system. You can also hire a professional to clean an air duct or to remove the dust, dirt, and debris that has been collected in the vents with the passage of time. You can install vent covers or purchase filters that are specifically designed to trap allergens and improve the air quality.
Conclusion
You have learned how important it is to reduce pet dander from your home. You can easily tell if the pet dander is becoming too much when you notice the signs. In addition to found out that pet dander can last for months so you need to use the methods to remove the pet dander by bathing and brushing your pet along with using an air purifier. You also gained knowledge on how you can effectively clean the couch, carpet, and air ducts to make your home clean, hygienic, and free of any odor. By following all this information and simple steps you will be able to remove pet dander and create a healthier and more comfortable environment for both your family members and your pets.
We at Custom Filters Direct can help you improve the air quality and reduce the pet dander in your home by offering you our high-quality custom air filters that are specifically designed to capture even the tiniest allergens and dander. We offer a wide range of custom-sized air filters from which you can choose to make sure that your HVAC system is working effectively providing you with clean and pure air to breathe. Whether you are looking for a standard-size air filter or require a special customized air filter, we have all kinds of air filter that fits your requirements. For more information or to place an order, you can connect with us by sending us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com or calling us at 877-958-5612. Breathe clean and pure air with our custom air filters.