Combat animal smells in your home with an air purifier

Read on to find out 

1. What effect pets have on the indoor climate
2. Why do animal smells spread throughout the home
3. Getting rid of dog and cat odours: tried and tested ways of getting rid of animal smells 
4. Combat animal smells in your home with an air purifier

What effect pets have on the indoor climate

Pets can affect the indoor climate in many different ways. They can have a negative impact on air quality, for example. Pets such as dogs and cats release dust, dander and other allergens into the air. These particles can be breathed in by allergy sufferers and lead to skin rashes, respiratory problems and other allergic reactions. Animals with long hair in particular release a lot of dander into the air which further impairs the air quality. In order to maintain a high level of air quality even with our beloved four-legged friends, you should vacuum regularly, remove animal hair and wash animal beds. Regular ventilation can also help to improve the air quality. 

Pets can also have an impact on humidity which will vary according to the type of pet you have. Like us humans, animals such as dogs, cats or guinea pigs release a small amount of moisture through sweating or breathing. In the case of a small number of pets, the effect they have on the indoor climate is negligible. Homes for animals on the other hand, such as open-top aquariums or terrariums, can add to the humidity. However, water bowls, urine trays and enclosures can also release additional moisture into the room. If the level of humidity is too high, it can lead to the formation of mould and an unpleasant indoor climate. That is why it is important to monitor the level of humidity using a hygrometer and to regulate it if necessary using a humidifier or dehumidifier (40-60% is ideal).

Pets can also have an effect on the temperature in a room. For example, terrariums containing reptiles require a source of heat in order to provide the ideal temperature for the animal. A room with several terrariums in it can therefore increase the room temperature significantly. On the other hand, furry animals such as cats and dogs can give off body heat and thus help increase the temperature in the room. It is important to adjust the effective room temperature in order to ensure a pleasant indoor climate. The final unpleasant aspect for many animal owners are the smells that animals spread around the home. Animal cages, cat litter trays and other homes for animals can fill the room with unpleasant odours that affect the indoor climate. But what actually promotes the spread of animal smells in the home?

Why do animal smells spread throughout the home?

Pets inherently have their own body odour which will vary in intensity according to the type of animal. Our four-legged friends move around the place, giving off their odours as they do so, which can lead to them spreading throughout the home. The air flows indoors can also help animal smells spread over a wide area. If the doors are open or a window, for example, the smell can spread to other rooms. Stubborn odours can also develop in textiles and upholstery. If your pet sleeps on the sofa or a rug, the smell can penetrate these materials. In addition, insufficient ventilation in your home and not enough cleaning can lead to odours spreading around more. 

Fortunately, even if you do have stubborn animal smells because of this, there are a number of tried and tested ways for ridding your home of them.

Getting rid of dog and cat odours: Tried and tested ways of gerring rid of animal smells

Firstly, regular cleaning is very important when it comes to removing animal smells. You should vacuum regularly and mop floors in order to remove dirt, hair and other debris. If you clean floors, carpets, upholstery and curtains regularly, the smell of animal hair and urine will fade. 

It is also important to carry out intensive ventilation regularly in order to neutralise odours. Fresh air will remove odours and quickly leave your home smelling better. 

One natural cleaning agent with powerful deodorising properties is vinegar. If your pet should ever leave a stain, you can mix vinegar with water in equal parts and spray the items affected such as carpets, upholstery or curtains with this mixture. Leave the mixture to work in for a few minutes and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. 

Bicarbonate of soda is another tried and tested remedy for getting rid of animal smells in your home. You can use it to remove smells from textiles and furniture such as sofas. To do so, simply sprinkle a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda onto the area affected and leave it to work overnight. The next morning you can remove the bicarbonate of soda by vacuuming it up. 

Besides vinegar and bicarbonate of soda as natural cleaning agents, there are now a large number of cleaning agents on the market that have been developed specially for eliminating animal smells. As a rule, these agents contain natural ingredients and are safe for pets as well as humans. 

For an even fresher home, you can also rely on an air freshener. There are many different types of air fresheners including sprays, candles or aroma diffusers. When using air fresheners, it is important not to use heavily perfumed or chemical air fresheners as these will only mask the odour rather than eliminate it. 

Another tried and tested and effective way of combating animal smells in your home is to use an air purifier. But how does an air purifier work and how can it remove smells from your home?

Combat animal smells in your home with an air purifier

An air purifier can not only filter out particles, viruses and other pollutants but also get rid of bad smells. There are various types of air purifiers on the market. Stadler Form offers air purifiers with a combination of HEPA filters, HPP filters and activated carbon filters. You should use an air purifier with an activated carbon filter to get rid of animal smells – these are the only ones that can also remove odours and gases from the air. The activated carbon filter should also contain a large amount of activated charcoal as the more activated charcoal there is, the more – and faster – smells will be removed. Air purifiers ensure the constant exchange of air in a room so that odours are absorbed from the air and bound in the filter. 

When choosing an air purifier, you should make sure that it has sufficient filter capacity for the size of the room in which it is to be used. A lot of manufacturers specify the applicable number of m2 and/or the CADR value in the product details. This value indicates the quantity of pure air produced. The removal of pollutants (dust, pollen and smoke) from the indoor air is evaluated. Also, the bigger the room, the higher the CADR value will need to be. If you are going to be using the air purifier in a bedroom, lounge or office, you should also pay attention to the volume and the decibel rating. 

Another important aspect when using air purifiers to get rid of animal smells is the regular maintenance and cleaning of the device as well as the filters. In addition, the filters should be replaced regularly in order to ensure optimal performance. 

An air purifier can create a pleasant and hygienic indoor climate when combined with regular cleaning and other remedies. Incidentally, air purifiers are also suitable for removing animal hair – so you can kill two birds with one stone. Our air purifier family – Roger little, Roger and Roger big – are suitable for rooms of between 33 m2 and 104 m2, for example. The Rogers use a dual filter system which is a combination of a HEPA H12 filter and an activated carbon filter. Viktor is suitable for rooms of up to 50 m2 and uses an activated carbon filter and an HPP filter. So all our air purifiers are suitable for removing bad animal smells from your home.

If you have questions related to indoor room climate, please get in touch with us. Or subscribe to our newsletter to regularly get informed about current topics regarding indoor climate, experience reports or Stadler Form insights.