3 Ways to Alleviate Pet Allergies in the Home

Adding a pet to your household can be a very rewarding experience, both for your family and the pet itself. If one of your family members has pet allergies, however, dander from the pet may cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or other problems. In many cases, pet allergy symptoms can be significantly reduced by doing a few simple things around your home.

Maintain the HVAC System

Making sure that your HVAC system is clean and well-maintained can help reduce the amount of pet dander in the air dramatically. Have an HVAC professional perform routine maintenance on the system at least twice a year, including replacing the air filter and cleaning the blower fan, air handler and the evaporator coil thoroughly. Between visits, check the air filter yourself every month and replace it as necessary. Consider upgrading your air filter to one with a higher MERV rating to remove more particulates from the air, or consider installing a HEPA filter for the best protection.

Dust and Vacuum Often

Reduce the amount of pet dander and hair collecting in your home by dusting often with either electrostatic cloths or damp rags to catch all the small particles. Vacuum the entire home on a weekly basis at least using a machine with a HEPA filter, and eliminate clutter to reduce the amount of surfaces that collect dust and dander. Avoid installing carpeting, if possible, and take throw rugs outdoors once a month to clean them thoroughly.

Keep Bedding and Furniture Clean

If possible, try to keep pets out of the bedrooms of family members with pet allergies, and use hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets and pillowcases in each room. Wash all bedding at least once a week. Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly, and consider installing furniture covers or throws that can easily be removed and washed to reduce pet dander accumulation.

For more ideas to help alleviate pet allergies in your home, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air today. Since 1962, we have been providing quality HVAC services to the Southwest Florida region, including Ft. Myers and Sarasota.