How to Remove Dander From Your Living Room
These Simple Tips Will Help You Cut Down on Dander in Your Living Room
By Bianca Herron
12 min read
Keeping your living room free of dander is more challenging than you may think. While it’s easy to fluff pillows and shake throws, there are a myriad of things you can do to ensure your living room is free of dander, which can include human and animal dander.
So what is pet dander? According to the American Lung Association, pet dander consists of tiny flecks of skin shed by animals with fur or feathers. This includes dogs, cats, birds, and rodents. Many people are also allergic to proteins in animal skin cells, urine or saliva. This is especially true for cat dander because it floats in the air.
Human dander is similar to the dander found on dogs and cats. It consists of small, flaky pieces of skin, hair, and other materials humans shed 24 hours a day.
Suppose you’re allergic to dander, whether it’s pet or human, you or your loved ones can have an allergic reaction. If you or a family member already suffers from allergies, asthma, or other breathing issues, the presence of dander can trigger severe allergic reactions.
The Effects of Dander and Why You Should Eliminate It From Your Living Room
During these challenging times, the home has proven to be the safest place of all. However, the presence of a dander can quickly turn your blissful home into a place of misery, especially your living room. Indoor air quality is more important than ever. You and your loved ones must be not only breathing clean air but also rest well when sleeping— this is especially hard to do if you and your family are breathing dander and allergens and having allergic reactions as a result.
Moreover, dander can stick to carpets, mattresses, clothing, upholstered furniture, and other soft materials. According to Mission Allergy, if you do not act quickly, pet dander can remain in a home for about six months.
Symptoms of Dander Can Include:
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Runny Nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, nose, or roof of the mouth
- Skin allergies
- Difficulty breathing
Alen BreathesmartFive Ways to Prevent Pet Dander in Your Living Room
1. Run an Air Purifier
Using an air purifier as a remedy to eliminate dander is a smart choice. Air purifiers will not only help you reduce the rampant dander in your living room but also breathe clean air and sleep better. Air purifiers are designed to pull the smallest particles out of the air, capture them in a HEPA filter, and then push clean air back out. Running an air purifier can help everyone breathe more comfortably by removing up to 99 percent of airborne particles, including mold spores, pet dander, dust, and allergens.
2. Clean Carpets Regularly
While carpets are pretty to look at, they are high maintenance to keep clean and are magnets for dander and dust. If you aren’t married to your carpet, it’s best to get rid of it. On the other hand, if you cannot part ways with it, clean your carpet regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum.
3. Clean Furniture and Covers Regularly
To help reduce your exposure to pet dander and human dander, be sure to clean your covers, pillowcases, and more — regularly. To reduce the amount of dander in your living room, and reduce dust in the bedroom, wash your bedding weekly. Be sure to wash these items in hot water at a minimum of 130 degrees.
4. Bathe Your Pet Regularly
IQAirIf you’re having allergic reactions to your pet’s dander but don’t want to part from your furry loved one, it’s best to bathe your pet at least twice weekly to remove allergens from its skin. It would also be wise to wash your hands after touching your pet and minimize contact with your pet.
5. Clean Your HVAC System
While you can clean your air ducts yourself, it’s best to hire an air duct cleaning professional to do it for you. They will remove built-up pet dander and clean the dander off the surfaces inside the air ducts. Ultimately, you can rest assured knowing that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.
Austin AirThe Bottom Line
Whether it’s human or pet dander, keeping them at pay in your living room is a wise choice. Merely breathing in dander can cause allergic reactions, which is why an air purifier is the best bet to help eliminate them. While placing your pet in another may not work for you, limiting your contact with your furry family member or keeping them in a specific area will help tremendously reduce the amount of dander in your living room.
Ultimately, dander can remain airborne for some time because of its tiny and lightweight size. As a result, they can stick to furniture, clothing, shoes, pets, and wherever else it lands. If you or your loved ones already have an allergy or asthma, inhaling dander can trigger allergic reactions for quite some time. Hopefully, this guide and tips can help you eliminate dander in your living room.
