Home Remedy for Getting Rid of Cat Dander In a Home

The dead skin that flakes off of your cat can cause an allergic response in people with a sensitive immune system. These flakes, also called cat dander, wind up covering many of the surfaces in your home and will even become airborne. To reduce your coughing and sneezing, clean away the cat dander left by your cat or the previous occupants.

  1. Vacuuming

    • Vacuum away the cat dander particles from your carpet and upholstery. Use a vacuum that has a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to catch the smallest particles and prevent them from becoming airborne, recommends the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Take the vacuum's hand-held attachment and use it to reach deep into the crevices of sofas and chairs and the corners of carpets. Vacuum carpeting and upholstery at least once a week to prevent the dander from building up and becoming embedded in the fabric surfaces.

    Washing

    • Remove all washable items from your home and wash them in hot water and unscented laundry detergent. Draperies, curtains, bedding and furniture covers all need weekly washing to keep them free of cat dander. Add a teaspoon or two of oxygen bleach to the wash to thoroughly remove any cat dander and saliva, a substance that can also cause an allergic reaction. Ensure that the hot water in your home reaches a temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to properly clean away the dander, recommends the Mayo Clinic.

    Surface Cleaning

    • To completely remove the dander from your home, you must wipe down all solid surfaces, including tables, counter tops, cabinets, floors and walls. Clean non-wood surfaces with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Use a microfiber cloth or mop dampened with the solution to pick up as much of the dander as you can. To clean wood furniture or floors, mix a solution of two teaspoons olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar and 16 ounces of filtered water, says the Project Allergy website. Spray it on a microfiber cloth and wipe down all of the wood surfaces in your home or dampen a mop and run it over a wooden floor.

    Prevention

    • To prevent an allergy attack due to cat dander in your home, keep it cleaned weekly of dander. Steam clean carpets one to two times monthly to prevent a build up of dander in the fibers. Use an air purifier to reduce airborne dander in the home. Keep your cat out of your bedroom and bathe it one to two times each week to prevent it from shedding dander, recommends the Mayo Clinic. When cleaning, wear a dust mask to avoid breathing in any dander particles loosened by vacuuming or while wiping down surfaces.