13 April 2017
 Categories: , Blog

You love your cats, but you don't love the fact that they shed hair practically everywhere. Inevitably, some of it will end up in your furnace, where it could pose not just a health issue but also a potential fire hazard. If you're a cat lover, then chances are you've had to grapple with keeping your heating system free of cat hair.

The following offers a few tips you can use to keep cat hair and dander out of your furnace.

Change Your Furnace's Air Filter

This should go without saying, but changing the air filter is one of the most commonly forgotten maintenance tasks by homeowners when it comes to furnace care. Swapping out that clogged up air filter with a fresh new filter gives your furnace a chance to trap cat hair and dander before it has a chance to enter your furnace. Ideally, you should change your air filter at least once every three months unless otherwise specified by your furnace manufacturer.

Vacuum Those Vents

If you have a vacuum equipped with HEPA filtration, you should put it to good use by vacuuming the supply and return air vents in your home. These vents can trap cat hair and dander, making them a magnet for dust, debris and, of course, more hair. This should be done on a regular basis to keep cat hair at bay.

Use Cheese Cloth to Trap Floating Dander

There's a good chance that there's already pet hair and dander floating around within your furnace. Before it reaches your bedroom and other living areas in your home, you can stop it in its tracks with a single layer of cheese cloth. Simply place the cheese cloth over the furnace vent with painter's tape and let it do its thing. It'll trap any stray bits of hair or dander that your furnace filter haven't picked up.

Let the Pros Clean Your Ductwork

Cleaning your ducts might seem like an easy DIY job, but you'd be surprised at how many hard-to-reach nooks and crannies there are in your ductwork. You might not be able to clean every single inch of your ductwork, but the professionals can with little to no sweat. Not only do the pros have the expertise, but they also have the right tools for the job.

Keep Your Beast Well Groomed

A well-groomed kitty is one that's less likely to shed hair and spread dander throughout your furnace. Here are a few things you can do that can help cut down on the spread of hair and dander:

• Bathe your cat on a weekly basis or hire a groomer to get the job done for you.
• Wipe down your cat with hypo-allergenic wipes between grooming sessions to remove dander.
• Run a vacuum hose with a comb or brush attachment over your cat's fur to remove stray hairs, if possible.

These tips can save you a lot of trouble when it comes to maintaining your furnace. If you want more information, talk to professionals like C & D Cooling & Heating Co.