Dog and cat owners are often at odds with the challenge of how to get rid of pet dander in their homes. This allergen is difficult to detect, but accounts for many pet allergy symptoms.
If you’re interested in how to improve your indoor air quality and combat pet dander, here’s what you need to know:
Pet dander & allergies
While the common misconception is that pet hair causes allergic reactions, the true culprit is often dander. But what is pet dander, exactly? Dander is the almost microscopic dust made up of dead skin cells shed by your pets during everyday life.
Those with immune systems sensitive to pet allergens can react to the harmless proteins contained in dander, leading to a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common pet allergy symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and itchy skin or eyes.
How pet dander spreads
It’s almost impossible to prevent the spread of pet dander, just like it’s almost impossible to prevent other types of dust from accumulating in your home. However, understanding the ways pet dander can spread can help you limit its prevalence at home.
Some common ways dander spreads are through brushing, grooming and normal hair shedding. Dander accumulates in fabrics and natural fibers, and can be spread around by common cleaning activities like vacuuming or sweeping.
How to clean your house of pet dander
While it might seem like a hopeless fight, there are ways to reduce the amount of pet dander in your home - while still keeping your furry friends. Some great tips to limit and eliminate pet dander are:
- Have your HVAC system professionally cleaned and fitted with special filters.
- Invest in a certified air purifying device containing a HEPA filter.
- Keeping up with brushing your pets, especially during the warmer months.
Allergies can be an issue for many pet owners, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up your pets. With careful cleaning and strategic use of air filters, you can help everyone in your home breathe more easily.
About the Author
Meryl Diamond
While I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I have spent the last 27 years living in the Lisle and Naperville area. The first single family home my husband and I ever owned was in Green Trails, Lisle. There were two things we loved about living in Green Trails - the sense of community and all the green space. This was a dream come true for my children who always had a friend to play with or a babysitter near by. For me, it gave me a chance to get to know the neighbors whom I have built lifelong friendships with. From neighborhood garage sales to summer barbeques, we always found reason to come together.
