Asthma and allergy sufferers who find that pet dander is a trigger for their conditions often have to give up their pets. Because the best way to remove animal dander is simply to remove the pet from the home.

 

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For many people, however, their pets are so much a part of the family that removing the pet from the home may not be viewed as an option.

 

Asthma and allergy sufferers can take steps to make it easier to live with their beloved pets.

 

These include:

• Don't let your pet into your bedroom, or, if you do, don't let the pet sleep in your bed.
  
  
• Bathe your pet weekly in a quality allergen reducing shampoo.
  
  
• Keep your pet off of your furniture.
  
  
• Change your A/C and furnace filters monthly.
  
  
• Use quality, high filtration filters in your A/C or furnace such as 3M Filtrete filters.
  
  
• Clean and dust frequently

Vacuuming Tips for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers with Pets

 

Vacuuming is an important step in reducing your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers, including pet dander. High filtration vacuum cleaners with true HEPA filtration are typically the most recommended vacuums for asthma and allergy sufferers to use. According to Consumer Reports, however, some vacuums that use conventional micro filters, trap allergens just as well as HEPA filtered units.

 

When vacuuming be sure to get under beds, especially if this is a favorite hiding spot for your pet. Vacuuming under beds and furniture is easiest if you use a canister vacuum such as the Miele Red Velvet or the Riccar 1800. Canister vacuums reach easily under furniture and require much less exertion than moving large items in order to vacuum with an upright vacuum cleaner.

 

It is also a good idea for asthma and allergy sufferers to wear a filtration mask when cleaning to help prevent symptoms.

 

Dusting Tips for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers with Pets

 

Be sure to dust your home thoroughly in the common places like table tops and shelves, but don't overlook ceiling fans, baseboards and other out-of-the-way spots where pet hair and dander may build up.

 

Dust in ways that knock the least dust into the air. Often the most efficient way to dust is with a vacuum cleaner, using a dusting attachment. The suction of the vacuum cleaner tends to keep most of the dust you are removing out of the air you breathe, where it could cause symptoms. Of course, make sure the vacuum has excellent filtration.

 

You can also dust your home with a duster, such as the FilterStream DustTamer. The DustTamer has a lambswool dusting wand that collects and holds dust. After you use the DustTamer wand, you place it into the included HEPA filtered vacuum chamber and remove the dust and asthma/allergy triggers from the duster head.

 

If you don't have access to a vacuum with a dusting attachment or a duster like the DustTamer, a simple damp cloth will work wonders.

 

Cleaning Pet Accidents for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers

 

Be sure you don't use ammonia to clean pet spots from your carpeting or upholstery. Since urine and ammonia have a similar scent, you could potentially be making a target in your home your pet can't resist. It is best to clean pet accidents immediately to prevent them from soaking into your carpet padding by blotting the damp stain with clean towels until the area is as dry as possible. Removing stains can be done with bio-enzyme products from your local pet store, just be sure to check that the product ingredients do not cause asthma symptoms for you.

 

A great way to remove pet stains and odors is with a steam vapor cleaner. The steam from quality units such as the Ladybug XL, will often help remove stains from carpeting and upholstery, and asthma triggers such as dust mite feces at the same time. Steam cleaners are great for asthmatics because they just use water and require no chemicals to clean.

 

I don't recommend that asthma and allergy sufferers use powdered carpet fresheners or candles to remove pet odors. Not only do carpet fresheners and candles often trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, but carpet powders frequently clog filters on vacuum cleaners resulting in more frequent filter changes being required. Filters that are not changed when they become clogged can result in reduced cleaning ability and damage to your vacuum's motor.

 

Cleaning Hard Floors for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers with Pets

 

Hard floors accumulate as many asthma and allergy triggers as carpet does. The best thing about hard floors is that the triggers are easier to remove since they don't get trapped in carpet fibers. A basic mop can do a great job of cleaning hard floors, but requires more exertion than other methods most of the time. Some of the cleaners used with basic mops are known to trigger asthma and allergy symptoms in many people.

 

There are a number of hard floor cleaning solutions available that are much easier, and better suited to asthmatics than a basic mop. A steam cleaner, such as the Ladybug XL or the Bissell Steam Mop Bare Floor Cleaner, can clean and remove pet dander and other triggers from your hard floors without the use of chemicals or cleaners.

 

Rather than sweeping hard floors with a broom and stirring asthma and allergy triggers into the air, vacuum your bare floors. I find it easiest to vacuum bare floors with a canister vacuum. However, you can vacuum hard floors with an upright vacuum, such as the Hoover Self Propelled WindTunnel Ultra Upright vacuum, that enables turning off the beater brush. A self propelled vacuum will greatly reduce the effort required to clean your hard floors and carpeting.

 

It is best to vacuum hard floors with a vacuum that has a beater brush that can be turned off. The beater brush can throw dust and asthma/allergy triggers into the air you breathe (as well as damage hard floors). Many vacuums that don't have beater brushes that can be turned off feature special suction-only hard floor attachments that work great as well. I also recommend that you use a filtration mask when you vacuum any surface.

 

 

About Shane McGlaun, Respiratory Therapist

Shane McGlaun has been a practicing Respiratory Therapist for 11 years. His diverse experience — including acute care, home care and rehab — enables a multifaceted approach to respiratory problems.

Shane’s mission is helping people suffering from asthma and allergies to live better, healthier lives by avoiding their asthma and allergy triggers. He writes frequently about cleaning products and equipment that can help asthmatics and people with allergies.