(BPT) - Your pets are an integral part of your family that bring so much joy to your life. From cuddles and companionship to exercise and entertainment, pets can be a bright spot on even the toughest of days. That said, your four-legged friends can also impact your home's indoor air quality (IAQ) with their dander, hair and odors. These pet allergens may cause sneezing and watery eyes, and could set off other allergic reactions.
Of course, your pets deserve clean air, too! They spend the majority of their lives indoors, making indoor air quality critical to maintaining your furry family member's long-term health. This is especially important if your pet has allergies or lung issues.
Good indoor air quality is a key part of responsible pet ownership, protecting against preventable sickness and discomfort for all household members. The good news? You can still enjoy quality time with your furry family members and reduce allergens so you can breathe easier. All you need is to take a few proactive steps to improve your IAQ, so you can continue to curl up with your canine companions and feline friends. Check out a few suggestions below!
Install an air quality monitor
Install an air quality monitor to track dander, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other pollutant particles. Real-time data helps you spot problems quickly and reduce pollutants in your home.
Increase ventilation throughout your home
Ventilating promotes airflow, improving IAQ for you and your four-legged friend.
To keep the air in your home balanced and fresh consider using an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) like the BalancedHome ERV. This whole-home ventilation solution is ideal for improving airflow and IAQ. Plus, the BalancedHome ERV is built to deliver high-performance ventilation, manage humidity and improve energy efficiency at a cost-effective price point for a single-family home.
Another all-in-one whole house option to consider is the WhisperGreen Select Fan, a precision solution to ventilate your bathroom, laundry room, sun room, basement or garage. With its built-in, multispeed selection, you can easily customize fan speed to meet your space's ventilation needs and improve your IAQ. Best of all, you can easily install the WhisperGreen Select yourself!
Improving your IAQ isn't just about cleanliness. It's also about maintaining a healthier living environment for everyone in the household. Using these easy tips, you can actively manage airflow and remove airborne pollutants to maintain a balanced and healthier indoor environment.
It may seem counterintuitive, but grooming your fur babies can actually help prevent pet allergens from becoming airborne. Daily brushing and weekly bathing can remove loose fur, dander and dirt, capturing these particles and preventing them from circulating in your home. This is an easy way to remove allergens that can trigger or worsen allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues, so everyone can enjoy spending time indoors.
Pet dander, fur and allergens can easily settle on top of your carpets, upholstered furniture and floors. To remove these particles from your home, vacuum twice a week, at least, though you may have to vacuum more frequently depending on how many furry family members you have. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, poor-quality vacuums can put dust in the air instead of removing it. Make sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove particles before they become airborne so you can enjoy a healthier environment with your paw-tners in crime.
Neutralize pet odors with an air purifier
Pet odors aren't just unpleasant to smell; they're a sign that dander and fur are circulating throughout your home. While grooming pets and vacuuming can do a lot for your air quality, pairing these habits with an air purifier can significantly improve your IAQ, leaving cleaner, fresher air.
Frequently wash bedding, blankets and cushions
Your pet's bed, favorite blankets and pillows easily accumulate dander, fur, saliva and skin oils, all of which can irritate your breathing. If your furry friends spend a lot of time on your bed or furniture with you, these areas can also become allergen-laden.
To remove these particles before they become airborne, make sure to regularly wash these fabric items with hot water. If your pet's bed and your furniture have removable covers, you can throw them into the wash with the bedding, blankets and pillows. If these items don't have removable covers, no worries. Vacuum the surface, spot treat stains, deodorize the fabric with baking soda and vacuum it up when you're done.
