How To Get Rid Of Pet Dander In House (Quick & Easy)

Before we begin, let’s talk a little bit about allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), an allergic reaction occurs when the body’s natural defense system mistakes a foreign substance as a threat by releasing Immunoglobulin E antibodies. Antibodies cause the body to trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny noses, inflammation, shortness of breath, wheezing, itchiness, skin rash, or watery eyes. The more sensitive is the immune system, the worsen the allergy will be. While most people will only experience allergies temporarily after being in contact with the allergen, continuous exposure may aggravate chronic respiratory issues like asthma. Pet dander is a known allergy attack trigger you need to look out for. If you are an allergy sufferer, it is vital to take precautionary steps to minimize pet dander from building up in your home. Below are tips to help you get started.

How To Remove Pet Dander From Your Home

1. Clean your home regularly – Vacuum the floors, carpets, curtains, and upholstery (sofa, bed) frequently to reduce the accumulation of pet dander. Doing so removes settled pet dander adhered to surface areas and prevents allergens from getting airborne when disturbed. To minimize the effort while maximizing the performance, you will need a reliable HEPA vacuum cleaner (handheld, any brand will do). It is effective in getting rid of microscopic particles, and the various accessories tools allow you to focus on gaps, tight corners, and hard-to-reach places. With a cordless setup, you can roam room-to-room vacuuming without getting tangled by wires and constantly bending over for a power source.
2. Wet rag and lint roller – Both are available in most households and effective in removing pet dander on flat surfaces. Start using a damp microfiber cloth and thoroughly wipe the furniture, table, ceilings, walls, and shelves from pet hair. For soft surfaces, you can use a rubber brush and scrub it with soap if the pet dander has latched deep underneath. Use a lint roller and start cleaning away the pet dander on clothes, drapes, linen, or upholstery. We cannot emphasize enough how helpful the lint roller adhesiveness is in removing tiny fibers, lint, and flecks. Use the washing machine for large items like a soft carpet, mat, or bed sheet. Do it at least once a month to prevent proteins and skin flakes from piling up. 
3. Use hypoallergenic products – Create fewer allergic reactions, including pet dander, over regular items. Very helpful if your furry friend is sleeping on the bed. You can get hypoallergenic covers like mattresses, pillows, or duvets, but make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer.
4. Bathe Your Pet Regularly – The fastest way to get rid of pet dander is through the source. Bathing your cat or dog weekly will clear out all the dead skin, germs, and pet odors all in one go. To make the best use of each session, use a good allergenic-free shampoo like Colloidal Oatmeal with Essential Oils. Follow up with a conditioner to keep the hair strong and shiny. Lastly, use a towel rather than a hairdryer to avoid drying their hair and damaging their skin. The healthier the pet’s skin condition, the less it will shed, resulting in lower pet danders.
5. Groom and bathe your pet regularly – A more direct approach to getting rid of pet dander straight from the source. Brushing only takes a couple of minutes to remove the excess shed hair from the dog, prevents matting, and stimulates hair growth. Bathing will also wash out the excess fur down the drain and out of the house. Do it daily for your longhaired furry friends, weekly for the shorthaired, or whenever you have the time. If you are allergic to pet hair, groom outside to reduce the number of inflow pet allergens. There are no two ways about it.
6. Limit the pet activity area indoors – A straightforward approach to control the spread of pet dander around the house. Set a boundary in places you spend the most time, like the bedroom or workstation.
7. Hypoallergenic pets – For future pet owners with hypersensitivity, consider breeds like airedale terrier, chinese crested, or poddle that shed less, thereby being more suited for allergenic people. Immunotherapy will also help curb your vulnerability to pet dander, but it is not a long-term solution.
8. Get A HEPA air purifier – A passive air cleaning method that requires little attention. An air purifier can significantly reduce airborne irritants like pet hair, bird dander, germs, and bacteria by capturing them in its filtration. With better air quality circulation, less cleaning frequency is needed as fewer pollutants settle on the ground. You will need a good air purifier equipped with a True HEPA filter to eliminate 99.97% removal efficiency on microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns. You will also need to ensure the air purifier can clean the room’s air it is placed. There is no point in getting a small air purifier that can only cover little ground. We recommend brands like Winix, Levoit, Honeywell, or Medify Air for a start. If you have the budget, Alen, Rabbit Air, Blueair, and IQAir come to mind. Visit our best air purifiers for pet dander to learn more.
9. Dander removal Spray + Baking Soda – A short-term solution is to use an all-natural dander removal spray. It reduces smells and germs derived from pet dander. Many brands are selling it; get one that is fragrance-free and without parabens, phthalates, or SLS. While at it, sprinkle some baking soda on areas that stink like urine. Baking soda is safe and will neutralize any pungent odors over time.
10. Declutter your home – It will minimize the spaces, crevices, gaps, and tight corners for the pet dander to settle. Store away unused books, shoes, clothes, toys, and tools in the storage unit or cabinet. You will save a good chunk of time and effort in cleaning/ vacuuming.
11. Replace HVAC Filters regularly – It prevents dirty particles like dust, debris, and pet dander from clogging the air duct filters and forcing the HVAC to run longer. For a home with multiple pets, we recommend changing the filter ahead of the suggested schedule timeline to prevent any air circulation disruption. Alternatively, engage a professional air duct cleaner to routinely maintain the HVAC system. Costly but a must for a home with pets.
12. Switch to hard flooring materials – Replace carpets with tiles, linoleum, vinyl, or hardwood flooring when possible. Pet dander is very sticky to soft surfaces, and carpets are a notorious place to hide.

Final Thoughts

Where there's a will, there's a way. Managing the pet dander from your home may seem daunting at first, but if you follow all our recommendations with a bit of patience, pet allergies will be a thing of the past.