Once we adopted a German Shepard, we had to become pros at pet hair management. The first time he dropped his coat, I thought there was something seriously wrong. I have never seen so much loose dog hair in all my life. It was almost like we were being attacked by pet fur. We tried every pet hair remover tool out there.
It ends up being very normal and healthy for them to drop their body weight in fur. Dogs and cats with undercoats typically shed their light summer undercoat in the fall to make way for their winter undercoat, which they will then shed again in the Spring.
If you have concerns your dog is shedding excessively, check with your vet to rule out any health or nutritional problems. Once you have the all-clear, then it is time to roll up your sleeves and start defending your home from all the fur.
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Grooming
#1 Regular Grooming
Regularly grooming your furry friend will cut down on the loose dog hair around your home. Whether you take your fur-kid to a groomer or do regular brushing sessions on your own, grooming will prevent the hair from getting everywhere. We have two dogs with short hair who love to be brushed with this miracle comb called the SleekEZ Grooming Tool. It’s a great deshedding tool. It looks a little weird, but it is the only pet hair remover that can address the serious amount of hair on our Shepard. We used the furminator for many years, and it worked, but the sleekEZ is one of the best pet hair removers, and the dogs seem to relax and enjoy it.
Our other dog refuses to be brushed so it takes some effort to manage all the loose pet hair. Unless you have some sort of doodle, no matter how much you groom, you will still need to deal with pet hair. Here are the best pet hair removers we use to stay on top of it.
HVAC
#2 Change your Filters Regularly
Pet fur gets sucked into our HVAC systems and can make them work less efficiently. If you have one pet, you should replace your air filters every 60 days. If you have more than one furry friend, you should replace them every 30 days. Put it on the calendar.
#3 Use an Air Purifier
Air Purifiers cut down on the pet dander and allergens in the air of your home. They are not designed to be a pet hair removal tool, but dog and cat hair can end up in the filter. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on how often you need to change it. We have a Levoit in our bedroom, and It makes a serious impact on the air quality in the room.
Tile and Hardwood Flooring
#4 Daily Sweep
A microfiber dust mop is one of the best daily pet hair removers. Use it to give your floors a daily sweep and keep down the pet hair. We have an eyevac that is basically like a vacuum version of a dust bin. We sweep the hair right into it. It makes daily clean-ups quick and painless. We keep it next to the trash can in the kitchen, so we empty it when we take out the trash.
O’Cedar Microfiber Mop on Amazon
Rubber Broom
Rubber Brooms are one of the ultimate pet hair removers and they are super affordable. Brush them along the floor and you will be shocked at how much pet hair the rubber bristles gather. Its like a insane hair magnet. It takes more effort than using the microfiber broom, so it’s more practical for a weekly cleaning than daily, but it’s a must-have if you really want fur-free floors.
#5 Dryer Sheet Swiffer Hack
Swiffer’s are a fantastic pet hair removers, but they can be expensive and wasteful if you manage substantial amounts of pet hair. A great trick is to upcycle a used dryer sheet with your Swiffer broom to clean floors and baseboards. Just attach a used dryer sheet to the back and get Swiffering!
#6 Get a Primo Vacuum
We are a house of many vacuums. We have a Cordless Dyson that we use for daily cleanings and quick pickups. It is lightweight and easy to use, which makes regular clean-ups easier and, therefore more frequent. It’s a solid daily pet hair remover.
We also have a Shark Navigator that is incredible for deep cleaning. It has better attachments for getting into all the nooks and crannies where pet hair likes to hide. Since it plugs in, we can use it for an extended period of time when cleaning the entire house.
Vacuums can kick up a bit of pet hair when vacuuming hardwood floors, so it’s more efficient to do the first run with a microfiber dust mop followed by a vacuum. Make sure your vacuum works specifically on hardwood floors, or it can leave scratches.
#7 Check Under the Molding
Pet hair can sneak under the molding, door transitions, and on top of baseboards. Use a vacuum attachment with bristles to sweep under the crevices.
Carpet
#8 Washable Rugs
We do not have carpet in our home, but we do have washable rugs. We use Ruggables that have a washable top and rubber back bottom that Velcro together. We still need to Vacuum and Sweep for daily and weekly cleanings.
#9 Brush Your Carpet
I know it sounds insane, but the best way to get the pet hair out of the carpet is to brush them with a rubber broom. It is one of my favorite pet hair remover tools. It doesn’t matter if you have flat or high pile rugs; a rubber broom will pull those stuck-in hairs to the surface so you can easily vacuum them up. If you want proof of how much your vacuum misses, use a rubber brush after you have vacuumed. It is jaw-dropping insane.
#10 Fabric Softener Mist Hack
Another pro tip from Bob Villa is to mix a solution of 1-part fabric softener with three parts water in a spray bottle. Mist your carpets and let them dry. This solution will loosen the pet hair before vacuuming.
#11 Clean the Carpet Edges
If the edge of your carpet looks dark or dingy, you probably have some pet hair build-up. Rubber gloves are the best pet hair remover for this task. Wet the tip of one finger and then run it along the edge of the carpet. Follow it up with a vacuum using a small attachment that fits into small spaces.
Furniture
#12 Floors First
We have all heard the rule to clean above floor areas first, but if you have multiple pets or a heavy shedder, it makes sense to do a quick pass on the floor first. This way, when you are moving about, you are not kicking hair back up in the air, so it lands on the furniture.
#13 Dust Wood Furniture
To clean up pet hair from wood furniture and hard surfaces, use a microfiber cloth and an anti-static spray. Clean the entire space before you go back and use any polish or wax. Any dust or pet hair not captured will settle back into the wax and stick.
#14 Clean Hairy Feet
The floor protectors on the bottom of chairs and dining room furniture are notorious for trapping dog ad cat hair. You can use the attachment with bristles with your vacuum as a pet hair remover. If the hair is stuck, you will need to lift it up or flip the chair over to wipe the cat and dog hair off the bottom. For seriously lodged hair, you can use an Emory board to effectively remove pet hair.
#14 Couches and Fabric Furniture
We put throws on the couch to protect it from the dogs, but there is that small window when all the blankets are in the wash, and the dogs decide to host a party on the couch. To clean pet fur off your couch, use that amazing rubber broom. (I know, again, with this rubber broom, but it is the best pet hair remover!) It pulls out all the embedded hair in the fabric. Follow it up with a quick vacuum (in multiple directions), and your couch will be back to fab in no time.
#15 Crevices and Tufted Fabric
To get hair that is caught in tufted areas of the couch or the crevices between the cushions, use a damp rubber glove as a pet hair remover. Run your finger around the area, and it will quickly pick up the cat and dog hair. I know it sounds low tech but this is the best crevice tool for removing dog and cat hair.
#16 Protect the Couch
If your furry friend has regular areas on the furniture where they love to lounge, protect it with a slipcover or throw. Use a thick material so dander will not pass through, and make sure it is heavy enough that your dog cannot kick it around and toss pet hair in the air. You don’t need to use old blankets. Find something that works with the decor of the room.
Curtains
#17 Cleaning Curtains
If your cat likes to sleep on the window sill or your pup likes to move the curtains out of the way so they can adequately bark at the mailman, your curtains are likely loaded with pet hair. Take them down and shake them out outside or pull them taut and vacuum. Mist them with water first to loosen the pet hair. Do this task before cleaning the floors and give it some time to let the pet hair settle before the final floor cleaning.
#18 Go Washable
Another consideration is to purchase washable curtains for high-traffic areas. Cotton and Linen curtains can often be washable if they are not lined. Check the label to make sure they are machine washable before tossing them in the laundry. hang them up or Iron them when they are a little damp to prevent wrinkles.
Bedroom
#19 Vacuum Your Mattress
Nothing is better than a good cuddle with your pup, but it creates some additional cleaning if you sleep with your pet. If you have a fabric headboard and bedframe, vacuum it along with your mattress each time you change your sheets. A mattress protector will also cut down on the amount of pet hair and dander but will need to be cleaned regularly along with your sheets.
#20 Pet-Proof Sheets
Tightly woven silk, linen, and cotton sheets with a high thread count do the best job of repelling pet hair. Because of the static-cling factor, avoid sheets made of synthetic fibers that attract pet hair. When you sleep with your pet, you will need to wash your sheets at least once a week. Consider purchasing durable sheets that can stand up to frequent washes.
#21 Bedding
It will be no surprise that your pet’s bed is literally a den of dog or cat hair. Choose a pet bed that is easy to wash. Between washes, consider shaking them outside, vacuuming, or, depending on the bed, tossing them in the dryer.
#22 Under the Bed
There is a regular pet hair party underneath your bed. Use a microfiber dust mop to remove it quickly. Don’t panic if the ball of pet hair is larger than your actual dog or cat.For more tips about sleeping with your pet, check out our post “Should you sleep with your pets”
#23 Bedroom Hiding Places
Pet hair has superpowers and likes to fly around unnoticed. It loves to hang out on your ceiling fan blades, on top of windows, molding, and even lampshades. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe them down during weekly cleanings.
Kitchen
#24 Under and Behind the Fridge
Use a Swiffer duster or vacuum with a small attachment to catch the pet hair under the front of the fridge. Some fridges have a removable grill that you can vacuum to remove dust…and…err…pet hair. This is another reason to regularly vacuum the refrigerator coils at the back of the fridge.
#25 Stainless Steel
Over time grease and cooking, oils can create a thin film covering the tile, stainless steel appliances, and even your favorite pendant light. Pet hair flies around in the air and can get stuck on these elements. Wipe it down with a cleaner that cuts through grease. Use a stainless-steel polish to get a streak-free finish once you have freed it from the pet hair.
Laundry Room
#26 Washing Machine
It seems insane that we need to clean out the machine that is regularly filled with hot soapy water, but pet hair likes to get stuck around the gasket that seals the door. To clean this up, leave the door open and let the machine dry out. Then easily wipe hair out with a paper towel or use a vacuum.
#27 Dry Before You Clean
To keep dog hair out of the washing machine, first, toss items in the dryer on a heat-free tumble cycle for ten minutes. It’s much easier to collect the hair when it’s dry rather than when it’s wet in the washing machine.
#28 Lint Trap
On top of removing the lint from the trap, if you have pets, you should do a deep vacuum in the compartment around the lint trap. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions for proper cleaning directions. It can often be as simple as vacuuming with a flexible hose attachment or using a dryer vent brush to remove debris.
#29 Dryer Balls
If you want to limit your use of a lint roller and keep the cat and dog hair off your clothes and bedding, use dryer balls or pet hair catchers. We use both. They are sometimes hard to keep track of, but there is a significant drop in the amount of hair on our clothes when we use dryer balls.
Be careful of using dryer sheets when you have furry friends. They can create a film on your clothes that ends up catching more pet hair and are hard on delicate clothing. We find the dryer sheets to be much more effective.
For other helpful tips, check out our post on Laundry Tips for People with Pets.
#30 Clean Your Vacuum
Pet Hair can be harsh on your vacuum. Even fancy pet hair remover tools like the Dysons need a deep clean every once in a while. If you notice your vacuum isn’t performing well, take 20 minutes to give it a spa makeover. Replace or clean the filter, wipe out dust and pet dander and remove any stuck bits. This step-by-step guide is excellent.
Before You Leave
#31 Entryway Lint Roller
If all else fails, the lint roller is a great pet hair remover. Keep one by the entryway so you can do a quick once-over before heading out the door.
We can have stylish and clean homes while living with pets. With a little bit of creativity and a handy pet hair remover…or two, we can enjoy the cuddles without the mess.
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