3 tips to get rid of pet odors and dander

Having a pet is not all positive. Along with your lovable fur-ball, you may also have to deal with pet dander and odors. This can be off-putting for both you and any potential house or pet sitters who come to take care of your pets while you are away.

It doesn't matter how loving or caring you or your pet is, pet dander or pet odors can result in you having to find ways to deal with these troublesome issues. This is especially relevant if you develop pet dander allergies.

What is pet dander?

Dander is material shed from the body of humans and various animals that have fur, hair, or feathers. Dander is microscopic, and can be transported through the air in house dust, where it forms the diet of the house dust mite. Through the air, dander can enter the mucous membranes in the nose and lungs, causing allergies in susceptible individuals. Dander builds up in carpets and in mattresses and pillows. More pet dander is sloughed off in older animals than in younger animals. Source: Wikipedia

But don't worry, we have some tips for you to ensure your home smells nice and fresh and not like a kennel. So you and your house sitters can enjoy time with the pets you love without the worry of pet smells and dander.

Tip 1 - Eliminate pet odors with baking soda

Baking soda should be a necessity for all pet owners as it serves as a wonderful cleaning and neutralizing agent. It works wonders when it comes to pet odors, completely getting rid of them.

While most people use baking soda as an added ingredient in baked goods, it also helps neutralize the most pungent of smells. It's fairly easy to use - all you have to do is sprinkle baking soda in the affected area, let it settle for a few minutes and then vacuum it.

The baking soda absorbs the odor which is vacuumed away. So if your pet accidentally urinates on the carpet all you have to do is apply baking soda to the affected area and the smell will go away.

A lot of pet owners use vinegar as an odor-reducing agent. However, vinegar has a strong smell of its own and since it has an odor similar to ammonia, you will pretty much be designating the area as a urine spot for your pet.

Cleaning the surfaces around your home is another option. However, this solution is time-consuming as you need to ensure the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned in order to get rid of any smells.

Think about it, not only do you have to ensure the floor or carpet is clean but also the furniture, curtains, and upholstery, which takes a lot of effort. If you don't clean thoroughly, the smell not only sticks around but latches on to surfaces, making it a lot tougher to get out later.

So make your life a little easier and use baking soda to get rid of pet odors quickly.

Tip 2 - Get rid of pet dander with regular bathing and brushing

If pet dander is an issue in your home then the best solution is to bathe your four-legged companions on a regular basis. We know, bathing is not the easiest thing to do as pets normally don't like it. It's also a little time-consuming, however, the process will save you from having to deal with on-going pet dander.

Most pet owners can be lazy when it comes to bathing their pets and only do it just once a month. However, if you want to get rid of the dander, you'll have to bathe your pet at least twice a month. We recommend doing it once a week.

There are studies showing that bathing your pet helps to reduce dander by over 80%. You can find many products that are specifically formulated to combat dander, but be sure to use a shampoo that's suitable for your pet (and approved by the home owners if you're pet sitting).

Along with bathing your pet, you also need to ensure their fur is nice and healthy so it doesn't easily fly off. That is why brushing your pet's fur is important as it helps keep the fur intact while also gets rid of any excess. Brushing pets once a week is recommended, however, if your pet has longer fur then you may need to brush two to three times a week.

Tip 3 - The best solution is to buy an air purifier

Cleaning your home on a daily basis or every other day to get rid of dander is not only time-consuming but not feasible for most pet owners. That's why getting an air purifier will ensure this daily maintenance of cleanness and will rid you of some annoying tasks.

Not just that, but for those who have pets, it's better to get informed and search for specific purifiers like a HEPA grade air purifier made specifically for animals.

Air purifiers work to purify the air in the room, and during this process they also pull in the dander from the air and surfaces around the room. The purifier has a filter that traps the dander ensuring that it doesn't go back out. Air purifiers don't only help to eliminate dander, but also aid slightly in reducing pet smells in the room as they purify the air too. They also works to reduce pet allergens.

Will I need more than one air purifier?

The number of air purifiers you need for your home depends on the number of rooms your pet has access to. Usually, one purifier per room is enough but if you have more than one pet, you may want to consider using more. You don't really need to get a purifier for every room in your home, just those that the pets spend a lot of time in.

For more information on HEPA air purifiers, click the link below:

Best Air Purifier for Pet Hair and Dander

Keeping pet odors and dander at bay shouldn't be an arduous task. It truly isn't if you properly take care of your pets and ensure your home is kept clean.

When house or pet sitting, it will help keep the pets healthy and free from odors that might otherwise make for an unpleasant experience for your sitters.

Our tips will help ensure that you save time in both. Resulting in a cleaner, odor and dander-free home.