An apartment currently has 2 cats. If it is professionally cleaned will it be ok for me (allergic) to move in

Question

They will be removing all the furniture and there is hardwood flooring throughout the apartment. I am really allergic to cats and do not want to sign a year lease if I will have a reaction.

Answer 1

here's the deal...
honestly, I'm not an expert on this topic, but I know a bit.

the substance that causes an allergic reaction to some people is not "the cat" but a protein (or chemical compound if you want to call it that way) found in the cats saliva.
..
one thing about proteins is that they denature or "decompose" at 100 degrees Celsius, that is - boiling water or steam.
now if by professional cleaning you mean steam cleaning and stuff like that, you can be almost certain, you will be safe.
but if by professional cleaning you mean dusting, sweeping etc. then it would come down to how sensitive, or how small of an amount of that "substance" in the saliva you need to have an allergic reaction.

like I said... if you can still suggest some kind of cleaning of that level, it might be a bit pricier, but you will have nothing to worry about.

Answer 2

There isn't really any way of knowing, it depends on how thorough and how good of a job the cleaners do. If I were you, I would stay 5 or 10 minutes in the apartment if possible before signing the lease to see. I would THINK it would be okay, especially if you vaccuum a LOT before the furniture moves in.. should get all the fur. But spend some time in it if possible before you sign the lease

Answer 3

keep this in mind: in the apartment world "professional' cleaning usually means the maintenance guy goes in and sweeps/vaccuums the floors and sometimes will re-paint if the walls are all marked up. if you're super allergic to cats i'd ask the apt. mgr. if you could observe the cleaning to make sure it's done to your standards.
i have super bad allergies too and almost every apt. i've moved into i've had to clean top to bottom myself just so i could breathe.

Answer 4

If the cleaning is done properly & the apartment has been well ventalated you should be ok. If there is a reaction it should be small and not last long.