For many Americans, pets are what make a house a home, but they do come with a number of challenges, particularly in terms of keeping the home clean, no dander, and odorless. 

Pet dander is impossible to eliminate, and yet it is one of the most common causes of allergy symptoms in many households. Comprised of microscopic skin particles that have been shed by cats, dogs, rodents and birds, dander becomes airborne very easily, and settles into every corner of the home just as easily, too.

Hiring a regular Tampa house cleaning service is a fantastically convenient and cost-effective way of dealing with dander, but if you’re suffering with itchy eyes and a sniffly nose, and getting rid of your beloved pets isn’t an option (obviously!), there are a few things you can do yourself to minimize dander and improve the quality of air inside your home:

Reducing pet dander in your living spaces

Follow these simple steps to minimize germs from the spaces you spend a lot of time relaxing in:

• With a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, clean as many areas of these spaces as is physically possible, not forgetting underneath furniture
• To make trapping and removing dander easier, use couch and cushion covers that are removable and washable
• Use a handheld vacuum cleaner – or the attachments on an upright vacuum cleaner – to clean upholstery every day
• On a monthly basis, steam-clean soft furnishings

Reducing pet dander in the bedrooms

Dander is definitely not welcome in your sleeping spaces; here’s how to reduce its presence:

• As much as possible, keep pets out of the bedrooms
• Wash bedding once a week in hot water
• Use pillow and mattress covers that are allergen-proof 
• Dust all surfaces and ceiling fans every week

Reducing pet dander in the kitchen

While you may not see furs in your kitchen, you can bet it’s living somewhere in there. To keep it at bay, try the following:

• Don’t allow pets where food is being prepared
• Wipe down counters every day
• Wipe down cabinets and baseboards on a weekly basis
• Clean floors and underneath appliances every week

Reducing pet dander from halls and walls

Dander can stick to pretty much anything in your home, so you should wipe down the walls, baseboards and door frames in high-traffic spaces with a damp microfiber cloth (use a little detergent mixed with water), once a week. 

Reducing pet dander from bathrooms

Some pets do have a habit of following their owners into the bathroom, and while this may be cute behavior (or annoying depending on your perspective!), it does mean that fur is being left behind in there. To try and eliminate it, do this:

• Once a week, wash towels and bath mats in hot water
• Wipe down shelves, windowsills and baseboards every week

Reducing pet dander from the laundry room

Dander can easily spread to this space, particularly when pet bedding and other items are transported there for washing. To try and control it, practice the following:

• With every load, clean out the dryer vents
• Wipe the washer and dryer down every week
• Vacuum in all corners and behind machines on a weekly basis

Reducing pet dander from HVAC systems and vents

With pets at home, you must get into the habit of changing HVAC filters and maintaining ducts on a regular basis if you’re ever to truly get on top of dander. Ideally, filters should be replaced every 1-3 months, while your ducts should be cleaned professionally at least once a year. Don’t forget to clean ceiling fans at least twice a year, too.

Can professional cleaning services help eliminate dander?

House and apartment cleaning services can be immensely helpful in getting rid of almost all pet dander from your home, as they use specialist techniques and the latest equipment to get to where its hiding. Naturally, it alleviates much of the workload for those living in the home, too, and can help allergy sufferers reduce their misery. 

Pets are special and many believe that a house isn’t a home without them, but the dander they leave behind can inflict misery on allergy-sufferers. But by following the steps above and sticking to a consistent and regular cleaning routine – or scheduling a weekly professional cleaning service – dander doesn’t have to make your life a misery, and both pets and their owners can live together cleanly, and harmoniously.