Beware Of Pet Hair In Your Home’s Air

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Everyone loves a good rhyme, right? Cheesy lines aside, pet hair and dander are no joke for some people. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies to pets with fur is the number one most common allergen related ailment in the country, with three out of ten people suffering reactions to it. We love our pets so what’s the answer? You can groom them regularly and vacuum every inch of your home but sometimes the problem is over our heads, well, all around our heads, actually. The air in a pet friendly home will have dander and fur floating about, unfettered, as well as undeterred by our constant vacuuming. We have two simple solutions to removing pet fur and dander from the air in your home as well as a few ideas on how to limit the amount that gets there in the first place.

If you are reading this it might be safe to assume you have “been there, done that” with most of this first list. If that’s not the case, give these tips a shot to help reduce the amount of pet allergens that make it airborne.

1. Limit the area of activity
   • This is a tough one for a lot of people. Our pets are like family and snuggling with them on the couch or in bed is the special, however containing them will contain the allergens and help keep the hair and dander under control. Get gates or use training methods to keep them off furniture and close doors to certain rooms to keep the allergens away.
2. Groom, groom, and groom again
   • Keeping your pet bathed and brushed will help reduce the amount of stray hairs that fall from their coat. Consider a scheduling regular grooming appointment in advance to stay on top of it and keep the shedding to a minimum.
3. Use the proper tools
   • Hardwood and tile floors are best served using a microfiber or an electrostatic dry mop, these will help trap the allergens rather than push them around the room.
   • Carpet requires vacuuming obviously but try going a step further and using a rubber squeegee or even a pet de-shedding tool on the surface to really get into the carpet fibers where allergens might be trapped.
   • Furniture is another hotspot for allergens to reside. Use a damp rubber glove and run your hand along the surface of the furniture. Or consider using a pet cover for easy removal and laundering.
4. Try throwing it in the dryer
   • Clothing, blankets and pillow covers can be thrown in the dryer with a dryer ball before washing. This should get the fur out and into your lint trapper.
5. Use a damp cloth
   • Dry dusting will cause the allergens that have settled to fly everywhere into the air. A damp cloth will prevent this and pick up the fur and dander easily and effectively.

The reality is, after you’ve cleaned the entire house, vacuumed the floors, wiped down the furniture, washed the counters and tables, bathed and brushed the dog, there is still pet hair and dander in the air! In fact, the broom and vacuum might even be worsening the situation by sending settled dust and allergens circulating around your home. It feels like you are fighting a losing battle here, doesn’t it? Despair no more, as there are ways to keep your your air clean and your sanity intact.

Install the right filter

Stay on top of your filter changes in your HVAC system! The filter should be switched out every 90 days, sooner maybe if your pet sheds a ton. Those with HEPA filters are your best bet as they have dense filters that disallow even the smallest of particles to pass through. Depending on the size of your home and the type of pet you have a simple filter change might be enough; if not…

Invest in an air purifier

A powerful air purifier will circulate air and pull in the invisible particles and microscopic allergens floating around your home. Be sure to select the right purifier as not all are designed for pet hair and dander. Again, a HEPA filter purifier is the best option but as they are expensive there are other filters out there designed to trap particles like pet dander.

You can either choose a room air purifier or invest in a whole-home air purifier. The latter will clean the air throughout your entire home; it works by purifying the air as is passes through your HVAC system meaning clean air in every room and all the time. If you go the smaller route, there are several room-to-room options out there for you. Each with their own set of choices to make, such as: which filter, what coverage, whether you want mode settings, etc. If you have any questions about which purifier is the right one for you contact a specialist, they will provide advice on which is right for your home and your budget. Good luck and take care of that hair in your air!

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