Tackling Cat Dander Problems--5 Ways To Greatly Reduce Cat Dander
Cat dander is an allergen that keeps many people from getting a cat or fully enjoying the one they have. These tiny, invisible particles of dead skin add up to big problems for those who are allergic to the protein that the dander contains-Fel d1. Here are 5 things you can do to help reduce the amount of cat dander you encounter in your home.
1. Clean Vertical and Horizontal Surfaces--Dander is sticky stuff so it is able to cling to most anything. Regularly wiping walls and horizontal surfaces can greatly reduce dander. Using a damp cloth to wipe walls, windows, doors and other vertical surfaces is a good idea. Wash the cloth that you used immediately so that the dander is eliminated for good.
2. Groom Your Cat-Many people think that cat hair is the problem when really the millions of pieces of shedding hair help the dander spread. So controlling the amount of hair loose hair will help.
Talk with your veterinarian to create a bath schedule that is the right frequency for your cat. Bathing to often can dry out the skin and ultimately create even more dander production. Brush your cat regularly to remove excess hair, and if possible do it outside of your living space for obvious reasons.
3. Choose Easy-To-Clean Accessories--Fabrics have lots of pockets for dander to accumulate and they are tougher to clean. Wood or plastic window covering such as blinds, shades, or shutters make it easier for you to clean. Likewise washable slip covers, leather, or other fabrics that wipe down easier make living with a cat and its dander easier to deal with.
Vinyl, linoleum, or tiled flooring rather than carpet is easier to damp mop as well. And while this shift in decor may need to be a gradual one, it's much more doable if you keep these cleaning solutions in mind.
4. Vacuum Frequently-Removing the dander with a vacuum that has a filter that is capable of trapping the dander without releasing them into the air again will help remove it from horizontal surfaces such as upholstered furniture, hardwood or carpeted floors. Choose a cleaner that contains a HEPA filter to get the most particulates out of your air.
5. Filter Your Air-Some cat dander will still go into your air even you follow all of the suggestions above. Using a purifier with a high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) filter will work 24 hours a day.
Constantly removing the dander that your cat will continue to produce for as long as you have it will help immediately. Dander cannot be eliminated 100 percent, but this systematic and varied approach can mean the difference between being able to live with a cat or not.
1. Clean Vertical and Horizontal Surfaces--Dander is sticky stuff so it is able to cling to most anything. Regularly wiping walls and horizontal surfaces can greatly reduce dander. Using a damp cloth to wipe walls, windows, doors and other vertical surfaces is a good idea. Wash the cloth that you used immediately so that the dander is eliminated for good.
2. Groom Your Cat-Many people think that cat hair is the problem when really the millions of pieces of shedding hair help the dander spread. So controlling the amount of hair loose hair will help.
Talk with your veterinarian to create a bath schedule that is the right frequency for your cat. Bathing to often can dry out the skin and ultimately create even more dander production. Brush your cat regularly to remove excess hair, and if possible do it outside of your living space for obvious reasons.
3. Choose Easy-To-Clean Accessories--Fabrics have lots of pockets for dander to accumulate and they are tougher to clean. Wood or plastic window covering such as blinds, shades, or shutters make it easier for you to clean. Likewise washable slip covers, leather, or other fabrics that wipe down easier make living with a cat and its dander easier to deal with.
Vinyl, linoleum, or tiled flooring rather than carpet is easier to damp mop as well. And while this shift in decor may need to be a gradual one, it's much more doable if you keep these cleaning solutions in mind.
4. Vacuum Frequently-Removing the dander with a vacuum that has a filter that is capable of trapping the dander without releasing them into the air again will help remove it from horizontal surfaces such as upholstered furniture, hardwood or carpeted floors. Choose a cleaner that contains a HEPA filter to get the most particulates out of your air.
5. Filter Your Air-Some cat dander will still go into your air even you follow all of the suggestions above. Using a purifier with a high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) filter will work 24 hours a day.
Constantly removing the dander that your cat will continue to produce for as long as you have it will help immediately. Dander cannot be eliminated 100 percent, but this systematic and varied approach can mean the difference between being able to live with a cat or not.
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