Houseguests are both a blessing and a curse. It is wonderful to visit, hang out, and reconnect. However, the preparation before the guest arrives can be stressful, even downright exhausting. More so if the guest is allergic to dogs and the hosts resides with one. With a little planning and a lot of elbow grease, it is possible to have a memorable visit, in a good way. The one word to keep in mind… CLEAN. Clean everything, and then clean it again for good measure. Even if the dog in question is a “Hypoallergenic” breed, it is best to assume that anybody with a dog allergy will be allergic to all breeds.
A week before arrival, tackle the room the guest will sleep in. Start with the closet by emptying it. Pack everything away, vacuum the floor in the corners. Wipe down the walls with a white vinegar water solution, it still disinfects and doesn’t have any scents that will send an already allergy prone person into a whole new attack. Strip the bed, down to the mattress, take down the curtains, and throw it all in the wash machine. Vacuum the mattress, vacuum the floors, and open all the windows to air out the room. Wipe down the walls. Next clean the carpets with a steamer using a hypoallergenic solution. When the room is put together keep the windows open, put a clean fan in the room, air it out thoroughly and shut the door tight. Make that room a dog free zone.
