Tuesday Dec 31st, 2024
Today, the majority of American households own a pet. The problem is that many people have animal allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies to cats and dogs affect 10 to 20 percent of the population. The main culprit that causes these allergies is pet dander.
To help minimize allergens in your home, Gem City Cleaning Solutions listed six steps you can take. We’ll also discuss the landscape of pet ownership, what dander is, and who to turn to if you need help cleaning.
Pets Are Family Members
In a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, researchers found that a staggering 62 percent of Americans own a pet, and 35 percent have more than one. What’s particularly interesting is how the meaning of family has evolved. It’s no longer just people who share our DNA. In fact, 97 percent of U.S. households with pets say their fuzzy friends are part of their family. Unfortunately, many people suffer from pet allergies despite having a furry family member.
Fur Isn’t The Problem. Dander Is.
Many people think they’re allergic to the fur of an animal. But in reality, they’re allergic to the protein found in a pet’s dander (as well as its saliva and urine).
In a nutshell, dander is simply dead skin cells. However, it can also carry other allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pollen. When proteins from dander enter our airways, eyes, nose, and mouth or land on our skin, they can trigger allergy symptoms. The symptoms can range in severity and include:
Pet allergens can land on the soft tissues lining your eyes and nose. You can also breathe in pet allergens into your airways. Animal allergy symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
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Thankfully, there are ways to remove and minimize allergens in the home. Here’s what the professional at Gem City Cleaning Solutions recommends:
1. Designate Pet-Free Zones
It’s often helpful to provide an allergy-free area for people who are allergic to animals. Keeping your pet out of certain bedrooms is an excellent start. However, you may even want to put up a gate for other areas that should remain pet-free.
Although it’s tempting to cuddle with your dog on the couch or in bed, those soft surfaces absorb a lot of dander. Do your best to keep your sofas and beds pet-free.
2. Keep The Air Clean
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. One of these pollutants, of course, is pet dander.
We recommend replacing your furnace filter regularly to keep the air clean. A good rule of thumb is to replace:
- 1” - 2” furnace filters every 1 - 3 months
- 3” - 4” furnace filter every 6 - 9 months
- 5” - 6” furnace filter every 9 - 12 months
When purchasing the right furnace filter, opt for one with a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of 5 to 8 (MPR 500 to 800).
You may also want to consider investing in an air purifier. While there is a lot of skepticism around the efficacy of air purifiers, a 2020 study conducted at Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, found that “the use of air purifiers with HEPA filters significantly reduced medication requirements for patients with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis and significantly lowered indoor particulate matter concentrations, regardless of room placement.”
3. Invest In a Good Vacuum
Vacuum cleaning is a pivotal part of home cleaning. However, vacuuming can also be a major source of particulate matter (PM), both from the vacuum motor and from settled dust resuspension. A recent study showed that PM emission rates from bagged vacuum operations were much higher compared with the ones obtained from wet and washable filter bagless vacuums.
4. Minimize Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
The more carpeting in a home, the more dander will accumulate. The National Center for Healthy Housing recommends not installing wall-to-wall carpeting in a bedroom for people with asthma or allergies, especially those who are sensitive to pet dander and dust mites.
Hard-surface floors are easier to clean than carpets. Sure, dust mites can be removed by regular vacuuming, but they’ll accumulate without frequent cleaning. And, once established, they’re challenging to remove from carpeting.
*Please note: There is emerging evidence that some laminate hard flooring (such as vinyl flooring) containing phthalates (a type of plasticizer) may also contribute to asthma.
5. Nix The Clutter
As the prolific Chuck Palahniuk once wrote, “The things you own end up owning you.” But there’s more to it than that. All of it ends up collecting dust. When it comes to dander, extra throw pillows and blankets are a major culprit.
To keep your home clean and reduce dander, take a minimalist approach to your aesthetic. What’s more, studies show a minimalist home aesthetic actually reduces stress and anxiety and increases focus.
6. Wash Your Pet Regularly
Washing your pets regularly will help. However, you want to find a balance between overwashing and underwashing. Studies show that a dog needs to be washed at least twice a week to maintain a reduction in allergens. But honestly, that’ll likely dry out your dog’s skin, which isn’t great for them.
We suggest one wash per week to meet in the middle. However, if that isn’t cutting it and you need to wash your dog twice a week, invest in some dog-specific moisturizer to replenish natural oils.
Get a Professional Clean
Everyone is capable of cleaning, but not everyone has the capacity to do so. Between work and family commitments, a lot of us simply run out of time. If you’re in the Erie County area and need an extra set of hands to help out, reach out to Gem City Cleaning Solutions for professional home cleaning. Contact us or book an appointment today.