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Pet owner allergy relief: How to get rid of pet dander

by Dianne Drinkwater 05/20/2024

dog

Dog and cat owners are often at odds with the challenge of how to get rid of pet dander in their homes. This allergen is difficult to detect, but accounts for many pet allergy symptoms.

If you’re interested in how to improve your indoor air quality and combat pet dander, here’s what you need to know:

Pet dander & allergies

While the common misconception is that pet hair causes allergic reactions, the true culprit is often dander. But what is pet dander, exactly? Dander is the almost microscopic dust made up of dead skin cells shed by your pets during everyday life. 

Those with immune systems sensitive to pet allergens can react to the harmless proteins contained in dander, leading to a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common pet allergy symptoms include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and itchy skin or eyes.

How pet dander spreads

It’s almost impossible to prevent the spread of pet dander, just like it’s almost impossible to prevent other types of dust from accumulating in your home. However, understanding the ways pet dander can spread can help you limit its prevalence at home.

Some common ways dander spreads are through brushing, grooming and normal hair shedding. Dander accumulates in fabrics and natural fibers, and can be spread around by common cleaning activities like vacuuming or sweeping.

How to clean your house of pet dander

While it might seem like a hopeless fight, there are ways to reduce the amount of pet dander in your home - while still keeping your furry friends. Some great tips to limit and eliminate pet dander are:

  • Have your HVAC system professionally cleaned and fitted with special filters.
  • Invest in a certified air purifying device containing a HEPA filter.
  • Keeping up with brushing your pets, especially during the warmer months.

Allergies can be an issue for many pet owners, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up your pets. With careful cleaning and strategic use of air filters, you can help everyone in your home breathe more easily.

About the Author
Author

Dianne Drinkwater

Dianne is a full time, full service, state licensed Realtor®, member of Northeast Florida Regional Association of Realtors® (NEFAR), St. Augustine/ St.Johns County Board of Realtors, National Association of Realtors® (NAR), Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), and Northeast Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service And St. Augustine/St. Johns (MLS), Shearwater Certified, and Military on the Move Designation.

She provides a unique blend of leadership, sales acumen, project management, technology, and world class customer relation skills to enhance Watson Realty Corporation's values in the real estate sales and mortgage marketplace. She is a decisive take action solution-oriented professional with 25+ years of progressive business experience who efficiently utilizes technology to improve results. She has lived in the St. Augustine/Jacksonville area since 2005 and has seen the area continue to flourish and stays well informed of future growth plans within Northeast Florida. 

Let's take a look at the lighter side of Dianne. She loves life is artistic loves music, the arts, yoga and genealogy! She loves to explore and hates to be bored. She loves the outdoors, especially plant life and wildlife. She has been a Master Gardener in Florida and Maine; as a photography enthusiast she has the eye to spot the perfect shot, which spills over to the photos she makes of the properties she markets AND frequently hires the best specialized real estate photographers/drone and videographers who make the difference in the sale. And, she loves to share her knowledge of the local real estate market and all aspects of the process to guide you through each step as a coach rather than a salesperson. 

So, let's sum it up. Buying or selling your home is an important life decision. Reasons can vary greatly from change of lifestyle, to relocation or life challenges. You need someone you can trust, count on, respect and help shoulder the stress, anxiety and time commitment involved. Doesn't this sound like someone you want working for you? 

So, what's the next step? Contacting Dianne of course. It is all about YOUR needs, goals, timeline and DREAMS! She's here to help you achieve them and she looks forward to hearing from you. 

What are you looking for in a Realtor? - Someone who will really listen to your wants and needs? Someone who will expertly market your home until the SOLD sign adorns your front lawn or if you are a buyer tirelessly researches your wish list to find that perfect home? - How about someone who will always be honest, holds ethics in high regard as a realtor, who works aggressively to get you the best price for your home and someone who knows the market? 

Selling or buying a home is a partnership with your trusted advisor- Dianne Drinkwater