How Long Does Pet Allergen Stay on Surfaces? - An Expert's Guide

Pet allergens can be attached to carpets, pillows, and other surfaces and can remain at high levels for several months.

Pet dander

can stick to everything in the house and last for a long time. According to different researchers and allergists, pet dander usually stays in the house for 4 to 6 months or 20 to 30 weeks. Allergens will remain active for a long time, meaning that you could continue to experience an allergic reaction even after the pet is no longer around.

Microscopic skin cell particles attach to hair, bags, clothes, sofas, carpets, beds, floors, and walls. Pet dander can also be found in places where pets are not allowed. Pet dander can remain in the house for up to 4 to 7 months after the pet dies. This means that if you move to a new home, you could be affected even if you don't have a pet of your own. Fortunately, there are tips you can follow to live with animals without letting their pet dander affect you.

Removing pet dander from hard surfaces, such as walls and baseboards, is extremely difficult with a dry cloth, as the particles will return to the air. The technician has a special vacuum that can enter the ducts and suck out dirt, debris, and pet dander. Even though weekly baths can reduce pet dander by up to 84%, remaining allergens can cause problems. In addition to tearing out the carpet completely, the best solution for eliminating pet dander is to clean it regularly. I remember a study reported to me more than 25 years ago, according to which children bring home from school with their clothes on the same amount of dog and cat dander as if they had lived with a pet.

The filtration grade of the HVAC filter (also known as the MERV rating) helps remove pet dander from the air conditioning system. When a person has a headache, rash, or frantic sneezing, the proteins in pet dander aggravate allergic reactions. If you're allergic to pets, exposure to pet dander can cause serious problems such as sneezing, chronic coughing, shortness of breath or itchy eyes. To reduce your exposure to pet allergens in your home environment, it's important to take certain steps. Vacuuming regularly is one of the most effective ways of removing pet dander from carpets and furniture.

Vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner is even more effective at removing allergens from carpets and furniture. It's also important to wash bedding and other fabrics regularly in hot water (at least 130°F) to kill dust mites and other allergens. You should also use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home to reduce airborne allergens. In conclusion, pet allergens can remain on surfaces for several months and cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive or allergic to them. To reduce your exposure to pet allergens in your home environment, it's important to take certain steps such as vacuuming regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner and washing bedding and other fabrics regularly in hot water (at least 130°F).

Additionally, using an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home can help reduce airborne allergens.