We have two cats and a short-haired dog. While no one in our family is allergic to animal dander, we regularly have guests who are allergic to cats. Needless to say, it's important to me to keep our home as clean as possible from pet dander to avoid triggering guests' allergic reactions.

Of course, I use my beloved Dyson DC24 All Floors all around the house several times a week. Lightweight and small, but oh-so-powerful, I can easily cart this vacuum around to clean everything from the kitchen floor to the office's futon mattress. I also use it on upholstery with the car turbine head that came in the car cleaning kit. (I've found that the secret when using this tool is not to press too hard on the upholstery which can keep the turbine head from spinning properly.)

When I'm not vacuuming, however, my Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter is a little miracle worker. I just swipe it in short strokes on pet hair covered cushions, and it collects fur like a magnet. I also use a lint roller which works really well too. I prefer the Pet Hair Lifter because I don't have to throw away or replace any tape.

Even though these methods may remove visible hair, it's important to remember that vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum cleaner is necessary for removing smaller animal dander particles. I try to do right before allergic guests arrive.

Do you have any favorite tips for removing animal dander from your home?