Need info. ASAP--would steam-cleaning couch get rid of cat dander?

[purple_kangaroo]

I found two gorgeous couches on Craigslist for the right price, just exactly what I've always wanted for my living room. But the people have cats that have been on the couches, and I'm allergic to cats. It's a tightly-woven Damask fabric, treated with something like Scotchguard, that she said doesn't hold cat hair or dirt at all.

We do have a steam-cleaner for carpets (Oreck). Do you think that cleaning it well would remove enough of the cat dander for myself and my guests who are allergic to cats to be able to tolerate the furniture? Or would I be better off to keep looking?

Angela

[WuWei]

I would keep looking. Doubt you could remove all of the cat dander/saliva/proteins from furniture.

But, have you considered Bio-Allers for cat dander? Or classical homeopathy. Dh was severely allergic to cats. We currently have 12 cats (fostering a mama and 4 kittens) and several cats sleep in our bedroom, on the bed every night. No more allergies, nor asthma since classical homeopathy.


Pat

[jocelyndale]

Nope. Cat protein (fel d 1) takes a year or two to denature and steam cleaning upholstery won't do much, unless you have a true vapor steam cleaning . . . and even then, results vary.

However . . . it might do enough when combined with a heavy slipcover. And after a couple years, it might be just fine.