A study group from Texas A&M found that every time you scratch an itch, rub your nose, or simply sit at your desk, dead skin cells fall from your body. Humans shed about 600,000 skin cells per day and up to 1.5 pounds of skin cells per year! Research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that skin shedding accounts for 69 to 88 percent of the dust in our homes—gross, right?

Now, imagine how much our four-legged family members contribute! Pets shed fur and skin cells in our clients’ homes. Pet dander is one of the toughest contaminants to remove in residential cleaning. Microscopic skin flakes float through the air and settle on furniture, bedding, upholstery, and most critically—deep into carpet fibers, often penetrating into the backing and even the carpet cushion in severe cases.

Some dog breeds, especially hunting breeds like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, naturally produce more oils to protect their coats. This adds an extra challenge when cleaning.

Before we apply chemistry, though, we must first tackle dry soils. About 79% of non-soluble soils—like dog fur—are dry particulate matter. Regular vacuuming alone isn’t enough. Introducing a counter-rotating brush (CRB) machine with renovator trays to capture loose soil and fur can be a game-changer, followed by thorough vacuuming. I’ve seen firsthand how this dramatically improves fur removal and odor control.

As professional textile cleaners and restorers, we’ve all been taught to rely on enzymes to break down oils and dander. But I want to challenge you: have you considered using an upholstery pre-spray on carpet for dog dander? Upholstery pre-sprays are loaded with specific ingredients and solvents designed to remove body oils—perfect for pet-related oils and dander issues too!

Using the right pre-conditioner, additives, and extraction rinse gives you the best chance for successful cleaning outcomes.

• For nylon fiber carpets, use an alkaline pre-conditioner (with a pH between 8 and 9.5) specifically formulated for synthetic fiber upholstery cleaning, such as Prochem Upholstery Pre-Spray.
• For olefin and polyester fiber carpets with severe pet oil and dander contamination, a higher-pH upholstery pre-conditioner, such as HydraMaster FabricMaster HD, is recommended.
• For natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool, select an upholstery cleaner specifically designed for delicate natural fibers, such as Chemspec Fast Dry Upholstery Shampoo.
• Enhance the effectiveness of your synthetic or natural fiber upholstery pre-conditioner by adding a d-limonene-based blended citrus solvent additive, such as Bridgepoint Citrus Solv.
• To leave a fresh, clean scent, consider adding Matrix Apple Fresh or Lemon Fresh deodorizer to your extraction rinse.

Pet fur, oils, and dandercan seriously affect indoor air quality, especially for allergy sufferers like myself. However, with regular HEPA vacuuming, deep cleaning, airfiltration, and consistent pet grooming, we can help our clients minimize pet bio-soil buildup and maintain healthier homes, along with an annual professional hot water extraction cleaning.

Roby Harris

Chairman of the Board, CFI Carpet and Fabricare Institute