How To Get Rid Of Pet Dander in Your Home

While most pet owners wouldn't trade their furry family for anything in the world, they would like to cut down on the amount of dander that takes over the home.

Pet dander is the enemy of any homeowner looking to keep their sanctuary clean and free from allergens. Luckily, there are a few great tips to help reduce the amount of dander to keep your home looking nice and your air quality at a high level.

Here are a few of the best methods to use to get rid of dander once and for all so you can have your home smelling like the day you bought it.

Change HVAC Filters

One of your most powerful allies in the battle against pet dander is one you can't even see in your home: HVAC filters.

These humble, hidden heroes work tirelessly to maintain the air quality in your home by trapping and holding onto particles like dust, pollen, and yes, pet dander. It's essentially what kills pet dander.

As air circulates throughout your home, it carries with it tiny particles. These particles get pulled into your HVAC system and pass through the filter.

The filter acts like a net, catching and gathering these particles including pet hair and dander. This process helps to keep your indoor air cleaner and more breathable.

Vacuum Carpets and Furniture

The places where you'll find pet hair and dander are where they like to hang the most: your carpets and furniture. Most pet owners go crazy thinking about getting cat dander out of the couch.

A good vacuum cleaner is your best friend here. Consider one with a HEPA filter, which can capture tiny particles like pet dander more effectively.

Regularly vacuuming your carpets and furniture can remove these particles from your home's surfaces before they have a chance to circulate in the air. For furniture, consider using a brush attachment to really get into those fibers.

You may also need to rent a more powerful commercial vacuum from a hardware store if it has been a while since the last time you vacuumed.

Brush Your Pets

Being proactive in preventing pet dander is always going to be easier than trying to remove it once it has been shed. Combating pet dander begins with regular pet grooming and it's a prevention that starts directly at the source.

Not only does regular brushing keep your beautiful pet's coat shiny and healthy, but it also captures loose hairs before they have a chance to invade your home.

But here's a pro tip for you: Do the brushing outside, if possible. This way, the loose hairs are carried off by the breeze and not into your living room.

If your pet isn't a fan of the brush, consider keeping their hair short. A shorter coat sheds less and traps fewer allergens.

Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter isn't just an eyesore; it's prime real estate for pet dander.

Pet dander is tiny and lightweight. It doesn't just stay on your pet; it floats through the air and settles on any surface it finds. The more items you have around, the more landing spots for pesky particles to gather.

By decluttering, you limit the number of places where dander can accumulate. Not only will there be fewer homes for pet dander but it will also make cleaning easier.

You'll have fewer obstacles when vacuuming or dusting, making it quick and easy to remove excess dander buildup.

Ultimately, decluttering means less dander, cleaner air, and a happier home.

Use Magnet Dusting Cloths

Cleaning wipes with a magnetic effect on dust sound like magic but its actually caused by something called electrostatics.

These clever wipes use the power of electrostatic charge to attract and lock in dust particles, including pesky pet dander. Rather than brushing the dust and dander into the air these wipes pull it into the cloth.

Traditional dusters, while they may seem effective, often just push dust and dander around. This means it's still in your home, waiting to be inhaled or to clog up your filters.

For a truly clean home free of pet dander, you need wipes that don't just move dust around but actually remove it from your home's air quality.

Change Carpets for Solid Floors

Carpets, while cozy and stylish, are notorious for trapping pet dander. Those soft fibers trap dander between them in places even a vacuum might not always get.

If you're wondering how long does cat dander stay in a house, you might shocked that it can stay in your home forever if you have carpets and never clean them.

solid flooring options like hardwood, tile, or laminate are much more resistant to dander accumulation. They offer fewer hiding spots for those microscopic particles, making your regular cleaning routine more effective.

Yes, changing from carpet to solid flooring might be an investment, but consider the length of time you plan on living in your home.

The time, energy, and money you'd spend cleaning a home with carpets might equal the investment you'd make getting hardwood floors.

Bathe Your Pet

All the allergens, dirt, debris, and even dead skin cells a dog produces start from their body and coat. Bathing is one of the best methods when considering how to get rid of dog dander.

A clean pet means less dander, especially when coupled with brushing. Use an anti-dander shampoo recommended by your veterinarian to really tackle the problem at its source.

Now, if you bathe a pet too much, you can end up drying out their skin and causing a bigger dander problem than when you started. The right frequency depends on your pet's breed, coat, and lifestyle.

You can bathe your pet in your tub or even sink if they are small enough. Or, you can take them to a professional groomer who will do all the hard work for you.

Get an Air Purifier

An air purifier can be a powerful ally in your battle against pet dander. Think of it as an additional line of defense, working hand-in-hand with your air filters to keep your home's air clean and healthy.

An air purifier pulls in air from your home, passes it through a series of filters, and releases the cleaned air back into the room. These filters are designed to capture small particles, including pet dander.

While your home's air filters do a great job of filtering the air that passes through your heating or cooling system, they can easily become covered in dander and ineffective.

An air purifier provides full protection in your home against dander and works 24/7 so you don't have to.

Set Restricted Areas

One of the simplest ways to reduce pet dander in your home is by managing your pet's access to certain rooms.

Cutting off access to bedrooms or home offices is one of the most effective ways of lowering dander in those areas. You might use a pet gate or simply keep doors shut to create these dander-free zones.

To truly prevent any dander from entering the room, consider investing in door sweeps or covers. These handy tools are designed to block the gap between the bottom of your door and the floor, preventing dander from drifting into your restricted rooms.

Boundaries make a big difference in maintaining a cleaner, healthier home with less dander floating around.

Clean Your Air Ducts

Air ducts are hidden pathways that harbor dander, even after you've replaced the filters. All the air in your home goes through your air ducts as they cycle through your HVAC system.

That means any dander that makes its way into the ducts gets pushed back into your living spaces every time your heating or cooling system kicks in.

Regular cleaning of these ducts can drastically reduce this dander buildup. And while it's possible to do some basic duct cleaning yourself, hiring a professional is the best way to ensure a thorough job.

Professionals have the right tools and expertise to effectively clean your ducts without causing any damage.

Living in a Dander-Free Home

There are many ways to keep pet dander out of your home but you only need to combine a few of the methods outlined above to get immediate results. Filterking is a leader in air filter manufacturing and supplies the HVAC industry with premium products. Our large inventory includes filters of all sizes to fit your exact home needs. Start shopping on our site today and you'll find filters strong enough to handle any pet dander.