BY MONTE LEEPER
Q. I was wondering what to do about pet hair that seems to be
everywhere
in my house. I have a dog and a cat and the shedding seems to be endless.
If I use an air filter in my dehumidifier or air conditioning system, will it
remove the pet hair so that I don't have as much to clean or breathe in? I
love your column and read it every week. Thank you for any advice you can
give to me.
A. As the saying goes, shed happens. That is a tough question, so I
had to ask around for advice. First, I consulted my beagle but she did not seem
interested in giving me a response. Perhaps she was annoyed that I was
asking such a personal question. I next tried air-conditioning
subcontractors and got various opinions. Most agree that pet hair can be
drawn toward the filter, but most pet hair is too large or heavy to be moved
by the velocity of a normal home air system. The majority of matter that
makes it into air returns is smaller dust particles that float in the air. I
approached veterinarians, who explained that proper grooming can eliminate
most pet hair and also make your pet less stressed, which may have a
positive emotional effect on some pets, possibly causing less shedding. I
went
to pet stores to see if they had suggestions and found a product at Puppy
Park on E. Main Street in East Rockaway. It is called "Pet Hair Magnet" and
is advertised as the "best way to remove all pet hair" from drapes, carpets,
couches, chairs and car seats. I tried the product and it does work with
several strokes on some materials. Of course, my beagle watched me with some
amusement. Then I checked with "The Sharper Image," which advertises a
silent air-cleaning device that uses no motor and cleans the air
electrostatically. Now, I know that some pet hair will get to your
air-conditioning filter, but this unit advertises that it removes pet
dander. You can ask about the "Ionic Breeze" by calling 1-800-344-4444 or
logging onto the Internet at www.sharperimage.com.
Good luck!
