Pet hair on clothes

How to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes, Carpets, Floors, & More

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Steven Toltz

For pet parents, pet hair is simply a fact of life. It feels like no matter what we do, our pets’ hair is everywhere. We’re used to lint rolling our clothes before leaving the house, vacuuming constantly, and watching tumbleweeds of hair roll across the floor.

There’s no magic solution to dealing with pet hair, but there are some creative solutions you should definitely try. In honor of National Hug Your Cat Day, we’re sharing our tips and tricks for removing pet hair.

The rubber glove hair removal trick

Our favorite way to remove pet hair from furniture, clothing, curtains, sheets, and other upholstery is the simplest: use a rubber glove. Simply rub your rubber-gloved hand over your couch (or whatever needs defurring) and voila! The cat hair will roll off in wads you can throw into the trash can.  Take note: For maximum cat hair removal, you should only rub in one direction.

The rubber glove trick isn’t magic; it’s science. The friction between your glove and the couch fabric creates “static cling,” causing cat hair, lint, and other debris to stick to the glove (the conductor). Depending on the fabric content of your couch or clothing, you might want to get the rubber glove slightly damp before running it over the fabric.

Swap your Swiffer for a rubber broom

When you’re dealing with a larger surface area, you’re going to want a larger tool. Our favorite way to remove cat or dog hair from floors is to use a rubber broom. Just like the rubber glove, a rubber broom will generate static energy and attract loose cat hair strewn about your floors.

Use a dry sponge

Another tool that can help remove cat hair from your couches and other upholstery is a kitchen sponge. Simply run a clean, dry sponge over your couch (slowly), and the cat hair will cling to it. Some pet parents have had more success using a slightly damp sponge, so we recommend you examine your couch fabric’s care instructions and then experiment accordingly.

Use a window squeegee on your carpets

While a rubber broom will help you remove the pet hair from your wood, tile, or linoleum floors, a window squeegee will take care of your carpets. It’s super simple: Just rub the squeegee through your carpet. After a few swipes, you’ll have loosened up the cat hairs embedded in your carpet. Throw out the ball of hair and then run the vacuum over the floor to pick up whatever’s left.

Use the dryer to get cat hair off clothes

Our favorite way to get cat hair off clothes is with your dryer. Instead of putting your clothes through the washer then the dryer, put them through the dryer first. Here’s how to remove pet hair from clothes while doing laundry:

  1. Using a lint roller or the sticky side of tape, remove as much hair or fur as you can.
  2. Set your dryer on low heat or no heat.
  3. Throw one for two dryer sheets in with your load.
  4. Run your laundry (and dryer sheets) through a short tumble cycle. Instead of creating static energy like the rubber glove, dryer sheets reduce static. And this “anti-static” effect helps repel hair off of your clothes and into the dryer’s lint trap.
  5. Wash and dry your clothes as normal.

As always, our cleaning experts recommend you hang dry your clothes. Heat is the worst thing you can do to your clothes, so avoid using heat as much as possible.

Remove pet hair with Dependable Cleaners

With these hair removal tips, you can show your kitty how much you care without worrying about getting covered in their hair. And for the most stubborn cat-hair-coated clothing, rugs, and household items, Dependable Cleaners has you covered.

Learn why Coloradans rely on Dependable Cleaners for Colorado dry cleaning services. Then find the closest dry cleaner near you.

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