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Do Air Purifiers Help With Pet Hair? Effectiveness & Safety Explored

Jeff Weishaupt

By Jeff Weishaupt

cat sitting near air purifier

Do you often come across a pile of your pet’s hair stuck in your carpet or sofa? It’s not only annoying but is also a hygiene concern. Many pet owners don’t know that a dog’s or cat’s hair can compromise the air quality in their homes, leading to allergies and health issues.

Finding hair floating in the air or stuck in different places is common in homes with pets. So, instead of punishing your adorable pet, install an air purifier in your home. This device can capture your pet’s dander from their hair, improve the air quality, and save your family from allergic reactions. So, while it might not lessen the amount of hair in your home all that much, it will definitely keep the air cleaner from allergens.

Installing an air purifier is a win-win situation for you, your pet, and your home sweet home. Let’s dig in to learn more about this efficient device.

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What Is an Air Purifier?

Pet hair and dander can cause more harm than you can imagine. Whether the hair is stuck somewhere or floating in the air, it can significantly increase allergies and breathing issues in humans upon interaction.

Thankfully, with the help of air purifiers, you can maintain a high quality of air in your home while living with your pet. These efficient devices clean the air and remove all the contaminants in the room.

Whether you are asthmatic or have an allergy, an air cleaner can reduce the harmful particles, including hair, from your surroundings to give you clean air to breathe. As a result, you stay safe from harmful allergens, contaminants, and pollutants.

How Does an Air Purifier Work for Your Pet’s Hair?

Bulldog beside Air Purifier
Image Credit By: Yuttana Jaowattana, shutterstock

A quality air purifier machine works like magic. It pulls in pet hair and other airborne particles in its filters. These devices come in different designs and structures, so you can easily find one under your budget and hair-cleaning requirements.

When shopping for an air purifier, ensure it is HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air filter). These certified filters are considered the best to eliminate the tiniest contaminant in your home. In fact, the best ones can even remove particles as small as 0.3 microns, provided you maintain them properly for a long duration.

Many air purifiers use all three modes to clean the air. The HEPA filters contain a mesh to efficiently remove mold, bacteria, and pet dander. Some purifiers also feature carbon filters to eliminate odor and UV filters to inactivate bacteria and germs.

However, when using an air purifier, you must know this machine doesn’t remove all pet hair. Even after using the device, you may still find your dog or cat’s fur on the sofa, carpets, and clothing. Just use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of them. However, it will make the air healthier to breathe.

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Where Should You Place Your Air Purifier?

If you have finally decided to buy an air purifier, you should know the right spot for its installment. Find an area close to where your pup spends most of its time. For instance, you can install the air cleaner next to your dog’s crate or bed.

Similarly, if you have a cat, place the device near the litter box to remove odor and hair accumulated in that area.

It is best to fix the air purifier on a wall to prevent your pet from reaching it. Alternatively, you can adjust the air cleaner on a high cabinet to keep it away from the reach of small kids and pets.

Can You Keep Your Home Clean Without an Air Purifier?

Jack Russell Terrier puppy sleeping in the dog bed
Image By: evrymmnt, Shutterstock

You can keep your home clean and safe from your pet’s hair by following the below tips:

  • Furniture and car seats attract pet hair, so cover them properly to stay clean, even if your pet doesn’t use them frequently.
  • If your pet loves staying outside, run a wet towel on their coat when they return. Remove all the grass and leaves stuck in their hair, keeping all allergens at bay and maintaining cleanliness in your house.
  • Train your dog or cat to sleep on their own bed. As long as they do that, all their fur would be collected in one place, making it easy for you to remove that later.

hepper cat paw divider

Final Thoughts

We know you love your pet, but having their hair around the house can be irritating. Things can be even worse if you’re allergic to dog or cat hair. Fortunately, an air purifier can help you clean your surroundings without manual input.

However, air purifiers can’t remove all the hair, so you will have to vacuum your home twice every week. You can also practice the tips mentioned above to reduce your pet’s shedding and keep your home safe for your family members.


Featured Image Credit: Mariia Boiko, Shutterstock

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