Tips on how to remove pet hair
More than half of UK households own a pet, and while we all love our four-legged friends, cleaning up after them isn't exactly the best thing about being an animal lover.
Unless you have a snake, Sphynx cat or goldfish, pet hair is probably something you have to contend with as a pet owner. Shedding is healthy and natural - but no one wants fur all over their clothes, furniture and carpet, so here's how you can clean it up.
Start with your pet
When your pet sheds their coat, this allows them to get rid of their old damaged hair and maintain a healthy uppercoat.
You can combat excessive shedding by brushing your pet regularly, plus, what better way to show them some love!
Your vet or groomer will let you know the best way to reduce shedding if it’s hard to manage, or you have a heavy-shedding breed of dog or cat, e.g. Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Chartreux, Ragdoll, Russian Blue.
Choose pet-friendly fabrics
Fabrics with a nap — like velvet, corduroy, velour and loose knits — will attract and gather pet hair more than others. And natural fibres, including cotton and wool, will attract hair more than synthetics.
However, the static produced by some synthetic fabrics can also attract pet hair, making it difficult to remove. Luckily, hair will slip right off satin, leather and other shiny materials.
Vacuum
If you let your pets on the sofa or they have a favourite armchair, be sure to vacuum these regularly using the upholstery tool. We rate the Shark Anti-Hair Wrap Vacuum as it lifts pet hair easily. Invest in an anti-static spray to apply after the surface has been cleaned and use a lint roller, too.
Use the dryer
If washable clothing or bedding is covered in pet hair, we’d recommend running it through the tumble dryer for couple of minutes on the cool setting. The action of the drum will actually loosen a lot of the hair, pulling it into the filter. As ever, remember to clean the filter out straight away.
GHI Tip: A dryer sheet is a great tool that helps to reduce static and stop pet hair clinging to fabrics.
Use rubber gloves
You’ve probably got a pair of rubber gloves lying about somewhere, and they can be really handy for removing pet hair. Gently wet the gloves and brush them over the surface of the fabric. They’ll create static which, coupled with the textured surface of the glove, will lift pet hair with ease.
Clean the gloves by plunging them in hot water and the hair will simply come away. Repeat as necessary.
Deal with bedding
Most pet bedding can be washed in the washing machine, so do this regularly to avoid nasty niffs and a build up of hair.
Once you’ve washed the bedding, take some time to check for and clear away any pet hairs stuck to the inside of the drum. A short rinse cycle will wash these away - you don’t want to cover your next laundry load.
Use a damp duster or mop
A damp duster works wonders anywhere pet hair has gathered. Run it along skirting boards and walls, and the duster will pick up the hair as you go. For flooring, use a damp mop to pick up hair.
Cover up
If you don’t want to keep removing hair from your sofa, armchair, or duvet cover them with blankets for your pet to sit on.
Make your own anti-static spray
A mix of water and fabric conditioner is a quick and easy at-home anti-static spray. Use this to stop hairs clinging to furniture with a quick spray, then wipe it off.
Clothes troubleshooting
Even the cheapest of lint rollers are a great way to remove pet hair from clothing, so stock up. Alternatively, use tape wrapped around your hand, sticky-side up, and brush down the surface of the clothing.
Give clothing a spritz with an anti-static spray when you put them on to make it easier to remove pet hair with a brush or lint roller.
You Might Also Like
