As much as we love our furry friends, it can often feel like a constant battle to keep fur and dander at bay around the house. Be it pet beds, couches or carpets, these soft surfaces seemingly act as allergen magnets, and removing dander is often easier said than done. In particular, bedrooms can quickly become hotspots.
Regular vacuuming and dusting can help to an extent, but are there any precautions that can, and should, be taken, to reduce the problem altogether? Here, professional cleaners share their top cleaning tips, to ensure a cozy and comfortable sleep without the annoyance of allergies.
1. Wash bedding twice a week
Pet dander sticks to soft fabrics, like bedding and pillows. It’s no secret that few things are better than a cuddle in bed with your dog or cat, but, when it comes to keeping a clean home with pets, this won’t be reducing pet dander in your sleep space.
Jason Dean, founder and cleaning expert at Synergy Four Services, explains, ‘Pet dander sticks to fabrics, and your bedding is one of the biggest culprits.’ To combat this, Jason suggests washing bed sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least twice a week. He adds that these are items you should always wash in hot water, to help remove dander, allergens, and bacteria.
‘For this, I recommend using a hypoallergenic detergent like all Liquid Laundry Detergent or Seventh Generation Clean with Purpose Laundry Detergent, as they are very effective at breaking down allergens,’ he says. ‘You can also consider dust mite-proof covers for pillows and mattresses to reduce allergen buildup over time.’
Alternatively, Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved here at Homes & Gardens uses a large throw over her bed to keep cat hair off her bedding, which can then quickly and easily be washed. This avoids having to launder all your bedding twice weekly. She adds, ‘I wash mine weekly and use the throw to stop my cats lounging up near my pillows. They tend to avoid the throws so that can help keep them off the bed if I’ve forgotten to close the bedroom door.’
2. Run an air purifier with a HEPA filter
As Tony Abate, indoor air quality expert, certified indoor environmentalist and vice president and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions, explains, another effective way to keep pet dander out of your bedroom is by upgrading the air quality in your home, swerving any mistakes compromising your home’s air quality.
‘Pets produce a common allergen in the dander of their coats,’ he says. ‘This can cause allergies and irritations, even in those not sensitive. Adding air purification is a great option for pet owners to keep your bedroom cleaner and healthier. Also, pets bring odors which may be less apparent to the pet owner, but noticeable to guests.’ And, air purifiers are an effective way to banish pet odors, too.
In particular, when you’re planning to invest in the best air purifier you can afford, cleaning expert Jason recommends opting for a model with a HEPA filter. ‘HEPA filters are designed to trap 99.97% of airborne particles, including pet dander, dust mites, and allergens,’ he advises. ‘Running an air purifier in your bedroom will greatly reduce floating dander, and keep the air cleaner, which will make it easier to breathe. A great choice that I recommend is the Levoit Air Purifier, which is affordable, quiet, and very effective for small to medium-sized rooms. For larger bedrooms, I recommend Coway Airmega 400 Smart Air Purifier, due to its powerful filtration and it also covers more space.’
The only drawback? ‘It’s a passive technology,’ says Tony. ‘Pet dander must pass through the filter to be effective.’ For this reason, Tony advises that a more effective choice, particularly if you suffer badly from allergies and regularly utilize cleaning tips for pet dander allergies, is to add bi-polar air ionization (BPI) tubes to your home HVAC system. ‘BPI tubes, installed by your HVAC professional, proactively emit ions into the air 24/7 that seek, attack, and deter the very fine particles caused by pets that cause odors,’ he explains. This is something to keep in mind if you spot any signs your HVAC system needs replacing.
3. Use a lint roller daily
Even with good cleaning habits, pet dander still settles on bedding and furniture, which is why lint rollers are one of the cleaning essentials experts say are worth the spend for pet owners.
‘A lint roller is a quick, effective way to pick up loose hair and dander daily, reducing buildup before it spreads,’ says cleaning expert Jason. ‘I recommend using Scotch-Brite Pet Extra Sticky Large Surface Lint Rollers, which grab dander better than standard versions. For a reusable option, the Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover and Reusable Lint Roller is great at lifting pet hair from fabrics without needing replacement sheets.’ It’s also Drew Barrymore’s favorite pet hair cleaner!
Cat mom-of-two, Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, swears by one lint roller in particular, the Mr.SIGA extra sticky. She says, ‘They don’t tear when you remove the used sheets, have an ergonomic handle, and are super sticky, which means I can clear my side of the bed with one sheet.