How to Control Pet Allergens in Your Home

According to the Humane Society of the United States, 15% of the population are allergic to domestic animals. It is also true that most people who are allergic to pets have them in their home anyway. Often, the family pet is blamed for a child's allergies without an actual allergy test being performed. If you or someone in your family have or suspect you have an allergy to pet fur and dander, there are some steps that you may take to minimize the allergens and possibly reduce allergic symptoms.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• vacuum cleaner
• pet shampoo
• allergen reducing pet wipes
• HEPA filter air purifier

1. Since most of us are allergic to many things in our environment, it is important to reduce the overall allergen count in our homes. This can be done by using air purifiers with HEPA filters throughout the house.
2. Frequent vacuuming and dusting will also control not only the level of pet dander and fur, but other irritants such as pollen and dust mites. Vacuum furniture as well as rugs and carpeting. Wash blankets and furniture covers often to remove the allergens which collect on these cloth items.
3. Bathe your pet weekly. This will reduce the allergens in pet fur by 84%.
   Between baths, use allergen reducing pet wipes to reduce that dander, pollen and loose hair that your pet will bring into the house.
4. Make one room of your house a pet free zone. Use special covers on mattresses on pillows that do not allow allergens to collect, this room should also have a HEPA filter air purifier. Reducing exposure to all allergens is an important step in reducing allergic reaction symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

• Frequent vacuuming and keeping your home free of dust helps greatly in the control of allergens
• Carpet is a major source of allergens, consider removing carpet and using tile, wood, and washable rugs as floor covering.
• Do not automatically assume that you are allergic to your family pet. Get a test to be sure that this is the problem. Often, allergies are brought on by a combination of many allergens in the environment and not just solely pet fur or dander.