Moving into a new house only to later discover that it's riddled with cat dander can be a bit unsettling. Not only can dander cause odor in the home, but it can also cause allergic reactions to anyone with cat allergies. What's the best way to get rid of the dander? We've researched a few ways that you can help clear your home of it, and in this post, we will share our findings with you.
Here are ways to get rid of cat dander in a new house:
- Clean the vent ducts
- Buy a HEPA air purifier
- Deep clean or replace the carpeting
- Replace the air filters
- Clean behind large appliances
- Wipe down the ceiling fan
- Clean or re-paint the walls and ceilings
- Steam clean hardwood floors
Unlike human hair, oftentimes, you can't see cat dander unless it's on very light surfaces. Meanwhile, it can easily accumulate on almost every surface in your home, leaving behind a unique odor. Continue reading to learn about how to use different methods to get rid of the dander completely.
Ways to Get Rid of Cat Dander In A New House
Clean the vent ducts
Too much dander in any home can negatively affect the air quality within it. One of the best ways to help reduce the amount of dander in your new home is by getting the vents cleaned.
Professional HVAC specialists use powerful vacuums to remove contaminants from within the ducts thoroughly. Not only does this help to clear up any potential blockages, but it will leave you with much cleaner air and a potentially lower electricity bill.
Buy a HEPA air purifier
Cat dander in the air can cause several allergic symptoms, including coughing, itching, and a sore throat. One of the best ways to get rid of dander circulating in the air is to use a HEPA purifier.
These purifiers work to remove dander and other contaminants from the air, and they don't require much beyond simply plugging them in and turning them on. You can purchase a quality HEPA air purifier online for about $50. If the dander is excessive, you may want to consider buying more than one, depending on the size of the home.
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Read more details about this HEPA air purifier on Amazon.
Deep clean or replace the carpeting
Carpeting is one of the most common places where dander will accumulate. And depending on the color of the carpeting, chances are you won't even know that it's there. To get rid of dander within the carpet fibers, it's best to do a deep cleaning. You can hire a professional to do this or buy your own deep cleaning carpet cleaner.
You can also rent carpet cleaners from home improvement stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot. If you find that the amount of dander on the carpet is extensive, you may even want to consider replacing it and installing new carpeting.
Check out this carpet cleaner on Amazon.
Replace the air filters
In addition to having the vents cleaned, you may also want to replace the air filters and install HEPA filters. It's best to find filters that have a MERV rating of at least 10 or higher. Having a clean HVAC system is one of the first steps to fighting cat dander and other allergy triggers. Clean filters will prevent large and small pet debris and other particles from reaching your vents.
Clean behind large appliances
You may be surprised to find that cat dander can also find its way behind large appliances. If your new home has a cat dander problem, take a day or two to move and clean behind large appliances such as the refrigerator, stove, laundry machines, and any radiators or heaters.
To do this, you can use a mop or a soapy washcloth to remove any dander, dust, and debris that may be lurking beneath these appliances. Also, consider cleaning those hard-to-reach areas, including the top of kitchen cabinets and high shelves in the closets.
Clean the have a look at this wet mop on Amazon.
Wipe down the ceiling fan
The ceiling fan is another place where cat dander may accumulate. To clean the ceiling fan, you can use a duster or a slightly damp washcloth. Be sure to thoroughly wipe the top and bottom of the blades and the light cover on the fan.
Check out this cleaning cloth set on Amazon.
Clean or re-paint the walls and ceilings
Cat dander can make its way to every surface within a room; this includes the walls and ceilings. If you notice a significant cat dander issue in your new home, it may be a good idea to either thoroughly clean the walls and ceilings or have them completely repainted. Cleaning the walls can be done rather easily with a slightly damp cloth and a mild soap.
Steam clean hardwood floors
If your new home has hardwood floors, consider purchasing a steam cleaner to give them a deep cleaning. When cleaning the floors, you'll want to pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas such as baseboards and under furniture, large appliances, and radiators.
Check out this steam cleaner on Amazon.
How Do You Get Rid Of The Cat Smell In A House?
There are a few different methods that you can use to get the cat smell out of a home. Let's look at the most commonly used ones.
Regularly empty the litter box
A cat's litter box is one of the most common places that you'll find odor issues. You can easily prevent it from harboring odor by emptying it once or twice every day. Be sure to remove any urine or feces from the box as soon as possible so that the smell does not grow stronger and permeate other areas of the home. It's also a good idea to replace the litter at least twice a month and wash the entire litter box at least once a month to stay fresh and free of odor.
Check out this cat litter on Amazon.
Use enzymatic cleaners
If you live with pets, it's always good to use an enzymatic cleaner to break down any smells that may come from the pets due to their dander or urine, especially when cleaning up urine stains. These cleaners can also discourage your cats from having accidents on your floors or carpets.
Read more about this enzymatic cleaner on Amazon.
Wash cat bedding
If your cat has its own bed, this is likely another source of odor issues. Consider washing your cat's bed at least once a week to prevent odors from developing and spreading to different areas of the home. While some cat beds are machine-washable, others may require hand-washing, so it's best to check the care instructions beforehand.
How Do You Keep Your House Smelling Fresh With Pets?
Just because you have pets doesn't mean that your home has to smell like it. Here's how to keep your home fresh when living with pets.
Use odor absorbers and air fresheners
Odor absorbers neutralize pet odors, leaving your home smelling clean and fresh. You can purchase odor absorbers to place in the cat's litter box or near their bedding or spray solutions that you simply spray around the house. It's best to make sure that the odor absorber is non-toxic before using it around your pets.
Check out this odor absorber on Amazon.
Use air purifiers and neutralizers
In addition to odor absorbers, you can also use air purifiers or neutralizers to reduce the pet odors in your home. Air purifiers work by removing any small or microparticle contaminants from the air, leaving your home odor-free. Many air purifiers can eliminate up to 99.9% of airborne bacteria, viruses, mold, pet dander, and dust mite allergies. Depending on the size of your home, you may want to purchase more than one as one purifier typically covers a room up to 500 square feet.
Take a look at this air purifier on Amazon.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer that you can use to reduce and remove pet odors in your home. Consider sprinkling baking soda over your rugs and carpet as well as any furniture that may be harboring orders. For best results, let the baking soda sit for four to eight hours or overnight, and then vacuum it up.
Wrapping Things Up
If you're allergic to cats, it's best to do a thorough cleaning in your new home to prevent any potential allergic reactions from lingering cat dander. The best way to do this is to clean your new home from top to bottom. It's also a good idea to replace the air filters in your vent system.
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