Does Pet Dander Trigger Health Issues for You? Learn How to Reduce the Accumulation of it in Your Home

Pet dander can trigger all types of health issues, from asthma to allergies. If you or someone in your home has issues with pet dander, but you cannot say no to your furry friends, there are ways you can work to reduce the amount of dander accumulation in your home. Check out these tips and then contact Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500 if you would like help with your allergies or asthma.

Clean Your House the Right Way

You probably know that cleaning your house to remove dust and dander is important, but you might not know the specific ways in which you can clean your house to help reduce dander. Some of the steps you should take include:

• Remove dander on flat surfaces with a lint roller
• Large items (like blankets) should be run through the dryer before being put into the washer
• Clean air ducts and HVAC registers regularly to prevent dander from being circulated through your home
• Clean your pet’s accessories regularly (including toys, clothing, and beds)
• Soft surfaces like sofas should be vacuumed

The key here is to do this regularly. If you do it every six months you should not expect great results. If you follow a regular cleaning schedule, it can help reduce the amount of pet dander in your home.

Reduce Clutter in Your Home

Any surface or crevice in your home can potentially hide pet dander. The less clutter you have, the less pet dander is likely to stick around. Additionally, it is much easier to keep a place clean – and to clean it – when it is free from clutter. When you think about a room with furniture, toys, shoes, lamps, knickknacks, etc., it is easy to imagine how difficult it would be to clean. The fewer things you have in your home, the tidier – and more dander-free – it will be.

Brush and Bathe Your Pet on a Regular Basis

When you bathe your pet, you can get the fur directed down the drain or into your drain trap – instead of throughout the house. The same is true for brushing – it allows you to control where this dander goes. Brush your pets outside if possible, but if you have to do it inside make sure you clean up after them right away. If your pet is longhaired, you might need to brush it daily, while shorter-haired pets might only need it once a week.

Keep Your Pet Out of Your Bedroom

Keeping your pet out of your bedroom can be very helpful. If you allow them in your bedroom – even when you are not sleeping – their dander is likely to get on your pillows, blankets, etc. These are items you will have right up against your skin four hours while you sleep.