While people remove their shoes to avoid tracking things indoors, most dogs, cats, and birds do not wear shoes. When the weather turns cool, pets spend more time indoors, windows get closed, heating systems go on, fireplaces start burning, and indoor air quality goes down, down, down.
You can co-exist with your furry friends and maintain great indoor air quality by following these simple steps:
- Regularly check your filters and especially your pre-filters, as they catch dust and dander to prolong the life of your HEPA filter.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom, if possible. If your pet absolutely must sleep in the bedroom, discourage it from sleeping in your bed. Instead, encourage your pet to sleep on the floor; then, try to position your air purifier near its sleeping area.
- Place rugs by your doors so that when your pet comes in and out of the home, its feet are wiped. Wash the rugs often.
- Bathe your pets or have them groomed on a regular basis to remove allergens from their fur and skin. When brushing furry pets, have an air purifier running nearby on the highest setting.
- Wash your hands immediately after handing your pets. Petting cats and then touching your eyes can immediately cause eye irritation.
- Keeps pets off upholstered furniture, or buy synthetic/leather furniture that is easily wiped down. Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly.
- Invest in a good HEPA vacuum and use it. When you vacuum, keep your air purifier close by and on the highest setting. This is especially important if you do not have a quality vacuum.
- Keep your air purifiers running as much as possible to keep the air you breathe free of allergens.
