Cat owners may panic at the the thought of hosting a guest with pet allergies. How can you possibly get rid all that fur and dander before the visit? Although you can't remove every trace of allergens, there are effective ways to clean and prepare. Try these tips for reducing your guest's exposure to allergens:
- Clean with a wet duster or mop. This will prevent the dander from circulating back into the air when you dust. SFGate recommends wiping down every surface that could collect cat hair, especially in the guest's room.
- Keep cats out of the guest room. Try to prevent cats from dashing back into the room right after you've thoroughly cleaned it. If it's a short visit, you may also want to consider keeping cats in their own separate room.
- Maximize ventilation. Catster suggests opening all the windows and running fans.
- Prepare the bedding. Launder sheets, duvets, and any washable pillows. Consider using mite proof pillow covers and a hypoallergenic mattress cover.
- Stock up on antihistamines. Have guests take a non-sedating medication 40 minutes before arriving, and keep more over-the-counter medication on hand.
- Vacuum thoroughly. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter all over the house. Make sure to vacuum bare floors, rugs and even draperies
- Wash or pack away any soft items. Along with changing bedding, you should check the guest's room for anything soft like linens or clothing. These should be washed or stored away during the visit. Make sure to clean any items before bringing them in, and provide freshly washed towels to be stored in the clean guest room.
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