How to get rid of pet dander? (cleaning, floor, wood)
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we are in the process of buying a home - built in 2006 but the owners have a cat. I am allergic to the dander to some degree (not as bad as before, but given enough time and amount I will react).
What are the steps I should do to clean the house?
I am looking at getting the carpets cleaned (any suggestions?)
as well as the air ducts cleaned (suggestions?)
Is there anything else I should do? Should I wipe the walls down, or hire someone to do that? Most of the house is carpet except half of the main floor is hardwood.
Pet dander can be hard to get rid of. It may require the removal of carpet and carpet cushion, cleaning of the subfloors (even sealing of subfloors in some cases), then an installation of another type of floor covering like a vinyl or wood material that can be sealed and cleaned easily. Typically the best of carpet cleaning companys can not just clean the carpets and remove the pet dander. Depending on your sensitivity you may be left with a problem.
I would also clean everything else I could that wasn't highly porous (countertops, baseboards, etc.), considering too a cleaning of the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning system (HVAC) and its filters.
If a problem continues after that contact your local indoor environmental consultant or industrial hygienist for a building diagnosis. I know all of this may sound extreme, but in my experience as a CIEC I've seen people suffer because they don't remove the sources of pet dander rather than just trying to mask it with HEPA vacuums, paints, and portable air purifiers.
Talk to your doctor as well. It may be a home you have to walk away from. Getting more help from your doctor (and an indoor environmental consultant as necessary) can help you make an investment you will live comfortably in.
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Last edited by leorah; 02-20-2009 at 06:55 PM..
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