Removing pet dander (allergies)

[MushCreek]

I was wondering today how you would remove pet dander from a home. Say someone lived in a house for years with cats and dogs, and the next owner was allergic? Not being allergic, I really don't know the answer to that. We are planning to have guest quarters at our homestead, and if the dog gets in there, I want to know how to make it OK for family members who have severe allergies.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Rip out any carpet and re-floor with vinyl.

Clean every surface including walls, ceiling, vents, ducting, etc.

Remove and wash curtains.

Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures and around door and window frames.

[clovis]

That is a good question.

My MIL has 7 cats living in her home. Her home is clean, but I am extremely allergic to cats. I am so allergic that when she sends a magazine from her house to us, I start coughing heavily when I am around it, and my eyes start swelling shut. The same thing happens when I am around her.

I don't know what we are going to do if we ever had to get her house ready for sale. I am the only person with remodeling skills. There is soooo much cat dander in that house that removing the carpet and gutting the drywall would just be a start.

[Merit]

Research duct cleaning VERY THOROUGHLY as there are many companies who only do a half-job. Which is like cleaning only half your vacuum cleaner. As soon as you turn it on, the dust flies through the entire thing, even the cleaned half.

Also it is VERY WISE to sorta 'hang around' and monitor their actions after you've researched & learned what must be done. I made that mistake.

This is extremely important information, and we've found the duct-cleaning (along with the other things mentioned in this thread, including-sadly-never opening windows again) to be the single most beneficial factor. But it must be done correctly, and you need to learn how. (It's simple, don't worry. But LEARN so you can get a company who will do what you require. And WATCH OVER THEM. VERY EASY to 'cheat' in that business. And sooo many do.)

[meanwhile]

Keep the dogs/cats out. If dogs/cats have been in there at all, anyone with severe allergies will never be able to go in there! If someone has milder allergies, you might be able to clean it. But....like cigarettes you can almost never get it out all the way. Good luck -

[Hobbes]

See if you can get an ozone air purifier rated at or above the sq. ft. coverage. That might help neutralize a good bit of it.

[deb]

Originally Posted by MushCreek

I was wondering today how you would remove pet dander from a home. Say someone lived in a house for years with cats and dogs, and the next owner was allergic? Not being allergic, I really don't know the answer to that. We are planning to have guest quarters at our homestead, and if the dog gets in there, I want to know how to make it OK for family members who have severe allergies.

Do everything Alice In TX/MO says:

Rip out any carpet and re-floor with vinyl.
Clean every surface including walls, ceiling, vents, ducting, etc.
Remove and wash curtains.
Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures and around door and window frames.

Most folks allergic to animal dander will have other allergies like dust mites, fur, feathers, wool, etc. Reducing the overall allergen level in the room will also be a big help in keep your guest healthy.

I would replace curtains/drapes with levelor blinds or roller shades (no fabric).

Replace bedding made with feathers & wool, with ones made with cotton or synthetic materials

Buy some specialty items from allergy supply companies like www.natlallergy.com.
1) Allergen proof covers for the mattress, box springs, pillows comforters.
2) Buy an air purifier/filter with a HEPA filter *

Wash the bedding in unscented detergent and hot water.

* Air purifiers/Filters actually collect the animal dander, pollen in the room and the HEPA filter keeps it from spraying outside. Buy one that is slightly oversized for the room .

Ozone machines don't filter air and Ozone actually can make air quality worse by reacting with perfumes, scents etc.

deb
in wi

[MushCreek]

I don't think our relatives are that severely allergic. They can come in the house for an hour or so without too much distress, but spend most of the time on the porch (lucky we are in FL!) The guest quarters I have in mind will be a closed-off section of a non-animal barn. The walls will be wood, and the floor will be concrete. No ductwork- heat will be a wood stove; A/C will be a window unit. We plan to put a big Christmas tree out there every year, and so we will be out there even if we don't have company. I'm just wondering what we'd have to do if the dog were to join us out there from time to time. I had originally planned to have it a designated 'no pet zone', but things happen. My niece lives in a 100 y/o house, so I know it can be done. I'll have to ask her what, if anything they did prior to moving into their house. Thanks for all the input- it is very informative!

[diamondtim]

Originally Posted by MushCreek

I don't think our relatives are that severely allergic. They can come in the house for an hour or so without too much distress, but spend most of the time on the porch (lucky we are in FL!) The guest quarters I have in mind will be a closed-off section of a non-animal barn. The walls will be wood, and the floor will be concrete. No ductwork- heat will be a wood stove; A/C will be a window unit. We plan to put a big Christmas tree out there every year, and so we will be out there even if we don't have company. I'm just wondering what we'd have to do if the dog were to join us out there from time to time. I had originally planned to have it a designated 'no pet zone', but things happen. My niece lives in a 100 y/o house, so I know it can be done. I'll have to ask her what, if anything they did prior to moving into their house. Thanks for all the input- it is very informative!

May wish to reconsider the wood stove and Christmas tree.

My friend and his son have allergies. He is allergic to mold that is found on pine and spruce trees and his son does not do well around a lot of wood smoke. Have you considered electric heat for the room?

Just something else to consider.