5 Essential Cleaning Hacks to Tackle Pet Dander Allergies This Season

Pets bring immense joy, yet their fur can exacerbate cleaning challenges, especially for those with pet dander allergies.

So, what's the secret to maintaining a tidy home with pets? We've gathered insights from cleaning professionals on how to minimize allergens while ensuring your furry companions remain comfortable.

5 cleaning strategies for pet dander allergies

1. Choose a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter

According to cleaning expert Karina Toner, a vacuum without a HEPA filter may not be the best investment for your health and home.

She notes, 'Regular vacuums can release fine dander and allergens back into the air. A HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter captures 99.97% of particles as tiny as 0.3 microns, keeping them from circulating. If you have carpets or upholstered pieces, this is essential.'

When selecting a vacuum, consider one of the top vacuums for pet hair, or at least a model with effective attachments for pet hair. Our favorite is the cordless Dyson V15 Detect, available at Dyson, praised by our appliance editor Dan Fauzi as 'the best choice in nearly every regard,' based on its exceptional hair pickup.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Best budget option

Karina highlights that this vacuum is budget-friendly, with strong suction and a sealed system to trap allergens inside. It also boasts a self-cleaning brushroll and excellent pet hair pickup.

2. Use microfiber cloths instead of feather dusters

For dust removal, Rhonda Wilson, a cleaning expert, insists she never relies on feather dusters when reducing pet dander in the bedroom and elsewhere.

'They simply spread dust around! A damp microfiber cloth or electrostatic sheet is far superior as they trap particles instead of scattering them,' she explains.

Plus, microfiber cloths are easy to wash and work great with a homemade cleaner made from warm water, olive oil, white vinegar, dish soap, and a few drops of essential oils, like MAJESTIC PURE Brazilian Orange Essential Oil available at Amazon. For an affordable choice, we recommend the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Cloths available at Walmart.

Damp Dusters, available at Walmart, are also fantastic. Just run them under water, dust, rinse, and repeat.

HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

These washable microfiber cloths are perfect for color-coded cleaning throughout your home, effectively removing dust and shining surfaces.

LiBa Glass Spray Bottles for Cleaning

These eco-friendly glass spray bottles help reduce toxic microplastics in your home and are reusable.

Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid Free & Clear

This plant-based dish soap is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and 100% biodegradable.

3. Keep an air purifier running while you clean

While cleaning removes dust, it can also stir up significant amounts of dust, debris, and dander. That's why cleaning expert Karina always uses her recommended air purifier while tidying up.

She cautions, 'Stirring up pet dander while vacuuming or dusting can make it airborne.' Thus, running an air purifier, especially one with a HEPA filter (if you're unsure about the best air purifier for your home), captures allergens before they can settle again. Karina's choice is the Levoit Air Purifier Core 300 available at Walmart, which is our best budget option. 'It caters to medium-sized rooms, operates quietly, and features a true HEPA filter for pet dander and hair,' she adds.

Professional cleaner Rhonda also uses her air purifier in spaces where her cats love to relax, making it easier to maintain a clean home with cats.

'I bought one to test it out and got a second when I noticed fewer sneezing fits,' she mentions. 'Before I tidy the throw pillows, I quickly roll over them with a lint roller,' like the Scotch-Brite Extra Sticky Lint Roller available at Walmart or the popular Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover available at Amazon.

Compact mini design

LEVOIT Air Purifier

This mini air purifier features a 3-in-1 filter that neutralizes smoke, odors, and particles while capturing and eliminating lint, hair, pet dander, and fine airborne pollutants for a cleaner home.

4. Maintain a clutter-free environment

While it might sound simple, regularly implementing decluttering techniques to simplify your space is vital for reducing and combating common allergens like pet dander.

'Above all, keeping your environment clutter-free is essential,' says cleaner Rhonda. 'Less clutter means fewer places for dander to accumulate. Those piles of clothes and random decor collect more than you realize. Keep surfaces minimal and ensure they're easy to clean.'

For instance, taking time to declutter countertops makes keeping bathroom surfaces clear or cleaning the kitchen much simpler. Then, all you need is a spritz of a multi-surface cleaner, like the Method All-Purpose Cleaner available at Walmart.

5. Launder pet bedding and soft items weekly

Chances are, your pet beds are among the items you wash the least, which is understandable given the challenge of cleaning dog beds.

However, as expert Karina emphasizes, 'Dander accumulates on fabrics—pet beds, couch throws, and even curtains. Washing in hot water weekly prevents buildup and minimizes airborne allergens.'

For added allergy relief, she suggests using a hypoallergenic detergent, like the all Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart, which contains no dyes, fragrances, or irritants and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Hypoallergenic

Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Liquid

This 3-in-1 laundry detergent effectively tackles all common stains and is EPA Safer Choice certified.

Meet our experts

Karina has extensive expertise in domestic cleaning, assisting pet owners in maintaining sanitized environments free from allergens.

Rhonda has been part of the FreshSpace Cleaning team since 2019, boasting over 20 years in the cleaning industry.

FAQs

How long does pet dander remain in a home?

For pet owners, having a solid supply of the cleaning essentials checklist is crucial, as pet dander can linger for four to six months. Cat dander tends to last even longer due to its finer particles, which easily become airborne.

What eliminates pet dander?

To effectively combat pet dander and its allergenic effects, maintaining a consistent cleaning routine is essential. Regular vacuuming and laundering soft surfaces are the best ways to keep your space free from allergens.

Once everything is fresh, keeping pets off countertops is vital, and our expert guide simplifies achieving this goal! If you've ever wondered why pet hair is so hard to vacuum, you're not alone, but we have expert strategies for refreshing your floors and keeping them fur-free.