If you have dogs or cats in your house, you probably know how pet dander can easily accumulate on your floor, upholstery, and even inside of your air conditioning or heating system. Besides making house cleaning extra difficult, having pet dander in your home can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks among your family members.
According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to the dead flakes of skin or dander a pet sheds can cause severe allergic reactions, which include difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain, audible whistling, or wheezing sound when exhaling, trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, and coughing or wheezing.
To protect your family, take the time and effort to minimize pet dander in your house as much as possible. Here are simple steps you can take:
Vacuum floors and upholstery
Cleaning your home regularly helps keep allergens low. Since pet dander can easily get trapped in your carpet fibers and upholstered furniture, make it a habit to vacuum these areas regularly. For removing pet dander on flat surfaces, use a lint roller.
Replace carpeted floors with wood
Having wood floors at home makes it easier to clean pet dander in your home. Wood flooring traps less pet dander compared to carpeted flooring. It is also very easy and takes less time to clean.
Clean your HVAC air filters
Over time, pet dander can accumulate on your HVAC air filters. To maintain the efficiency of your furnace or air conditioner and prevent allergens from circulating in your home, do not forget to clean your filters regularly. Experts recommend replacing dirty, clogged air filters every 30 to 90 days.
Bathe your pet regularly
One of the most effective ways to reduce pet dander in your home is to bathe your pets regularly. Bathing and brushing your furry friends will help get rid of the pet dander. If you worry about pet hair clogging your drains at home, consider taking your dogs outside for regular grooming.
Minimize contact with your pets
If you have a pet allergy, you should avoid petting or touching animals. Additionally, prohibit your pets from entering the bedroom and other parts of your house where there are soft areas like carpets. Create a pet zone and equip it with toys and a pet bed, so your dog would stop roaming around the house.
Use a HEPA filter
Another way to clean your indoor air and get rid of harmful pollutants is to use a HEPA filter or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter. This type of filter can trap 99.97 per cent of particles 0.3 microns or larger, helping alleviate pet allergies. Ask your air conditioning service provider to upgrade your system to operate with a HEPA filter.
Upgrade your air conditioning system for a cleaner, healthier home
Letting go of your beloved pets would be a heartbreaking story. Luckily, there are many ways you can maintain a clean, healthy home and be a pet owner at the same time. One is to repair or upgrade your air conditioning system. Faulty air conditioners won’t be able to clean the air inside your home properly but can still cost you a lot of money on your monthly energy bills. By calling for a professional ac repair Jupiter, you can get your AC back running efficiently again. Consult your trusted HVAC professionals today!