Use Kitchen Leftovers to Improve Your Garden

Suffering from cat dander allergies can be irritating and frustrating. But when you love your furry feline and are unwilling to part with him, there are actions you can take to remove dander from your environment and stop your eyes from watering so much. Follow these cleaning methods to make your home as dander-free as possible.

Clean the Walls

Dander will cling to surfaces and linger there for months if left untouched. Use a mixture of hot water and multipurpose cleaner or soap to regularly wipe down the walls, baseboards, and even ceilings in your home. Never dry dust the walls because this will simply stir up the dander and further aggravate your allergies. Always use water as a means for collecting the dander so you can dispose of it. Also remember to deep clean into any cracks and crevices that could be a holding place for dander.

Clean the Upholstery

Lint brushes and rollers that are specifically designed to pick up cat dander should be used regularly on upholstery. Also, occasionally shampoo your upholstery as a more effective means of getting rid of hair from furniture. A good idea is to cover your couches with slipcovers so that they can be easily removed and washed. You can also launder curtains and area rugs. Make sure your machine is set on the highest temperature possible.

Clean the Carpets

Carpets should be vacuumed as often as possible using a vacuum that contains a High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) Bag. This special type of bag traps dander, preventing it from seeping back out into your home. Vacuum everything in your home, including cracks and crevices. Steam cleaning carpets, rugs, and upholstery is also effective for controlling dander.

Clean the Air

Another way to help you breathe easier is to purchase and run a HEPA air filter.  HEPA certified filters are effective at removing 99.97% of air particles as small as 0.3 microns.  Operating one in the main living area and in your bedroom can help to remove dander from the environment and ease your allergies.

Clean the Cat

When cats clean themselves, they release a lot of dander. Dander can also become airborne when a cat sheds fur or rubs against anything. Bathing your cat once a week can help limit the amount of fur that is shed and dander that is released. Make sure that your cat's face and ears are also cleaned thoroughly. Call around to see if a pet grooming service can do this for you if you do not want to attempt it yourself.

In between baths, wipe your pet down with a hypo-allergenic pet wipe that removes dander. If it will let you, you can also use a vacuum hose on your cat to suck up loose fur.

Protect Yourself

Remember, if you are doing the cleaning yourself, wear gloves and a face mask to limit your exposure to the dander. Also consider hiring professional house cleaning services (such as Home Maid Cleaning Service) to clean for you. They can work with you to reduce the dander in your home and minimize your exposure to the allergen. It may be worth the money considering the amount of time you will need to spend cleaning.

Fighting the battle against cat dander is an ongoing process. If you are living with a cat, you need to be diligent about cleaning your house if you want to minimize your exposure to dander and keep your allergies under control. Hire professionals to help you if you do not have the time to regularly clean your house or groom your cat or if you do not want to risk aggravating your allergies. Then sit back and enjoy the benefits of being a pet owner.