8 Pet Owner Tips for a Healthier Home
Managing asthma and allergies when you share your home with a pet can be a challenge. Reducing allergens, dust mites and other irritants needs an approach of both prevention and treatment. These eight maintenance steps will put you on track for creating a healthier indoor environment to promote the comfort and health of your family and guests.
PET FREE ZONES:It can be difficult to keep your pet out of the bedroom and off the couch, but limiting the areas that your pet can lounge in means less places for you to frequently clean. Set up spaces for your pet that have minimal carpeting and upholstered items.
HEPA FILTRATION:Frequent surface cleaning just isn’t enough. Dust mites, pet dander, and other allergy inducing contaminants can be up to 20 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair! These tiny particles are so lightweight they can stay airborne for long periods of time. HEPA filters can remove 99.97% of even difficult to capture 0.3 micron sized contaminants. Not all air purifiers are powerful enough to cover a whole room. Make sure the HEPA filtration system you choose has the capacity to cover the square footage of areas you spend the most time in such as the living room and bedroom. Also look for purifiers with a set of pre-filters to prolong the life of the HEPA filter.
BATHING:Veterinarians and the Association of Asthma & Allergies (AAFA) both recommend weekly bathing of your pet to reduce allergens and dander. Check out the XPOWER B-2 Pro at Home Pet Dryer for easy bathing of your pet in between grooming appointments.
VACUUM:Frequent vacuuming helps to remove allergens that have settled on floors and upholstered surfaces. Try to find a vacuum that has a dual HEPA filtration system and thick dust collecting bag. Even the best vacuum will inevitably stir up dust and allergens into the air. Make sure to run your air purifier for a few hours during and after a vacuuming session.
HUMIDITY:High humidity levels are a breeding ground for dust mites. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep humidity between 30 and 50 percent.
DUSTING:Always dust surfaces with a damp cloth or mop. Dry dusting just spreads dirt, dust, and other particles into the air. Try to keep flat surfaces free of knick knacks and decorative items that can collect dust. Glass enclosed cases and shelves are a great way to display favorite items.
BEDDING: Even if you keep your pet out of the bedroom, pet dander and fur easily travels through the air and on clothing. Wash bedding weekly using hot water to keep allergens and dust mites at bay.
FRAGRANCE:Be aware of the number of fragranced products that you are using. Scented air fresheners, cleansers, candles, and gels can pollute indoor air and cause irritation. Consider an air purifier with a 1-2 pound carbon filter to neutralize odors instead of masking them.