Everyone loves to curl up with their pet, but when cuddle time is over pet hair and dander remain. Is
there anything we can do? Don’t worry, your furry friend can stay but it’s time you take extra
precautions with your laundry.

Regularly washing your clothes is the first line of defense against allergies. Make sure you wash your
clothes in the hottest water that the fabric can tolerate. Warmer water opens the fibers and allows
more dirt and dander to be released. A cold rinse closes the fibers, so once your clothes come out of the
wash, they feel smooth and ready to wear.

But here’s a word of caution! Don’t confuse extra detergent with extra clean. That extra splash of
detergent may feel like a good idea, but you are making your clothes dirtier. Read more about this in the
linked article. Use only the recommended amount of detergent and splurge for the extra rinse. Once
your clothes go into the dryer, remember to use a couple of dryer sheets. Dryer sheets do a great job
breaking the bond between the fabric and the dog and cat hair, allowing whatever hair may be left on
your clothes to fall into the lint trap.

So go on and cuddle up with your favorite feline or pooch, they deserve it! Can’t bear to be without
them at bedtime? Then read on to learn about best practices for keeping your bed allergen free.