Pet hair and dander rapidly accumulate in air ducts over time, which can trigger discomfort for those with allergies or respiratory issues like asthma. Without a suitable method for removing this hair and dander in your air ducts, it will eventually be pushed back into your home’s air, potentially worsening your symptoms. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove these allergens and make your home more comfortable.
Keep reading to learn six highly effective methods for reducing pet dander in your home.
The Top Six Ways to Reduce Pet Dander
Baths for Your Pets
Bathing does not remove the dander from your pet’s skin. However, bathing your pet does minimize the amount of dander that your pet spreads throughout your home. Bathing your pet regularly will help to keep dander in your home at a minimum and your allergies at bay.
Wet Dusting
This method removes dander on hard and soft surfaces and is cheap, simple, and very effective.
Wet dusting is extremely useful for removing dander from hard surfaces. To wet dust, run water on a cloth or sponge. These will grab much more dander than a dry feather duster. Once you’ve got the cloth or sponge wet, wipe down all of the hard surfaces you can find, including:
- Blinds
- Fans
- Light fixtures
- Vents
- Windows & windowsills
- Spaces behind appliances & furniture
Vacuuming
Vacuuming will be able to cover hard surfaces like hardwood or linoleum and soft surfaces like carpet. When vacuuming, be sure to vacuum the floor in every room and do so more than once. A second pass will ensure you catch any dander you missed on the first.
Replace & Upgrade Your HVAC Filters
Upgrading the air filter on your AC unit can have a massive impact on how much dander and other allergens are circulating through the air in your home. When deciding which filter you’d like to install, be sure to check its MERV rating. A MERV rating of one is the least expensive and most porous, and a rating of 16 is the most costly and effective at filtering allergens. An AC expert at Air Design can help you select and install the right filter for your home.
In addition to upgrading your filters, you will want to replace those filters regularly as they can recirculate allergens in your home if they become clogged. For homes with no pets, it is recommended to replace your air filters every three months. However, if you have one or more pets, we strongly suggest that you replace your AC’s filters once a month to ensure they keep up with the dander your pets produce.
Dander Spray
When giving your pet regular baths does not do the trick, consider picking up a dander-removing spray. Use this spray on the areas your pet spends the most time. The spray is non-toxic and made up of natural enzymes, so you can use it on your pet as well. However, be sure to follow the directions on the can for proper use. Cats tend to cause more allergies than any other pet, so if you have a cat, be sure to pick up the spray made specifically for them.
Add an Air Purifier
Installing an air purifier adds another powerful line of defense between you and your pet’s dander, fur, and many other allergens and pollutants in your home’s air. Of all the above solutions for minimizing dander in your home, installing an air purifier is one of the simplest because there is very little maintenance involved.
Ready to get relief from pet allergies in your home? Speak to one of our friendly air quality experts today.
