How To Get Pet Dander Out Of Carpet *Sneeze* *Sniff*

There are a few reasons why you’re here right now.

It could be that you’ve always had pets and now, all of a sudden, you’re experiencing some lingering allergy-like issues.

You might have also introduced a new person into your home who has allergies. And want to make their lives a bit more tolerable.

Or you may have moved into a new place. And then discovered that a family’s furry friends have left their allergens everywhere.

And now… you’re dealing with the result.

Whatever your reason, this is completely solvable.

Removing pet dander from your carpet isn’t very difficult. Sweeping and vacuuming are generally the first-line solutions. But there are also preventative measures that you can take—we’ll cover them later in this article. 

What Is Pet Dander

Pet dander is just tiny flecks of skin that can come from animals such as cats, dogs, and birds. 

Humans even have dander which animals can be allergic to!

(We never think about that, do we?) 

Like human dander, pet dander does cause allergies.

(Allergies are allergic reactions. They’re a misinterpretation. Your body perceives the dander as threatening and harmful.) 

Symptoms of a pet dander allergy include: 

• Chronic coughing
• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Postnasal drip
• Sinus pain

Some people might also experience skin irritation and eczema while for others, it can even cause more severe symptoms such as shortness of breath!

Bear in mind that if these symptoms mimic other conditions.

Check with your GP if you suspect that there may be a different cause. 

And keep reading, I’m just covering the basics. I’ll be showing you exactly how to get cat and dog dander out of your carpet very soon!

Preventing Pet Dander

You can reduce the amount of pet dander present in your home by making sure that your pet is healthy and clean.

Regular baths are a must!

You could bathe them every two weeks, or if your dog or cat is very water-averse, every month.

The aim is to kill fleas and mites that may provoke scratching in dogs and cats.

Doing this will definitely reduce the amount of dander in your home. 

Don’t do it too often either as this can also produce dander by drying out their skin. 

Secondly, make sure to feed them a good diet.

A healthy diet equals healthy skin. This means healthier hair follicles and much less pet dandruff.

Do these two things and you’ll have much less to worry about.

You’d also do well to get your pet to the vet. Particularly if they’re giving off a lot of dandruff as it can be a sign of health problems such as diabetes. 

Getting Rid Of Dander Through Steam (And Specialized Products)

Now, let’s talk about this: how to clean pet dander out of carpet.

A good steam clean after some sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming—that’ll sort it right out.

Steam cleaning (by using one of these recommended steam cleaners) does a brilliant job at killing bacteria lurking in your carpet.

Just make sure to use clean or distilled hot water as you don’t want to damage your steam cleaner.

In isolation, steam cleaning is unlikely to get the job done completely. 

Pet dander can be microscopic, so it’s important to be thorough. 

In fact, it can linger on your carpet for months. 

It’ll be better if you get yourself a pet dander lint roller too. This, as you can tell by the name, is specifically designed to remove pet dander.

Also, make doubly-undoubtedly-certain that you cover up any air ducts. Dander could spread to them during the cleaning process.

It can get caught in your HVAC system and air ducts, provoking allergies for a long time. 

Don’t Give Up 

Realize that if you’re still experiencing allergies, it may very well not be pet allergens. 

Especially if you were thorough with both your cleaning and preventative measures. 

It may also be pet dander lingering in hard-to-reach places (like air ducts). So it might take a while before you are allergy-free.

In the meantime, an antihistamine recommendation from your pharmacist should do the trick! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does pet dander stay on the carpet? 

Pet dander can stay on your carpet for months. This can trigger allergy symptoms, and give off an odor. That’s why it’s important to identify the problem sooner rather than later!

Does vacuuming remove pet dander? 

Yes, although it may not prove effective enough. You may want to vacuum then steam clean your carpet for better results. Even better if you happen to have a Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner at home – it works very well on all surfaces so cleaning carpets won’t be too hard for you! You won’t need to purchase a pet lint roller then!

How do you get pet dander out of your house? 

Pet dander can get absolutely everywhere because of how small it is. It can be difficult to identify. So when trying to remove it, I recommend that you not only vacuum, but also sweep, and steam clean your carpet. You should also run a wet rag on areas you might miss such as tables (particularly if you have cats).