Is your home covered in pet hair? Here are some simple cleaning tips for reducing the quantity of hair caught on sofas, carpets, and hard floors.
As much as you love your fur baby, it’s frustrating to have pet hair all over your home.
Fortunately, there are some simple cleaning hacks you can use to remove hair. These range from using damp rubber gloves to vacuuming with powerful pet vacuums. Let’s get started!
1. Get Rid of Pet Hair Using a Roll of Tape
A roll of masking tape is arguably the cheapest tool for getting rid of pet hair. Simply sticking tape on the affected area and pulling it away will ensure the pet hair has been removed.
Using tape is particularly budget-friendly, as you can use one piece of tape multiple times to pick up hair. Don’t use this method on hardwood or other delicate surfaces though, as it may leave behind a mark or residue. You also shouldn’t use ultra-strong sticky tape for the same reason.
Tip: You can create a DIY anti-hair glove by wrapping tape around your hand (sticky side out.)
2. Apply Anti-Static Spray
Applying anti-static cleaning spray to a soft cloth is an effective way to get rid of pet hair found on wooden furniture. The spray neutralises the electric charge that causes hair to stick to the surface, making it much easier to remove.
You can also use some types of anti-static spray on carpets. This loosens the hair fibres and makes them easier to remove.
3. Make Use of Lint Rollers
Lint rollers are an indispensable tool for pet hair. You’ve probably already got some rollers for your clothes, but they are just as effective at cleaning other areas of the home, such as upholstery.
Lint rollers are quite affordable and will take a few minutes to clean household items covered in pet hair. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, enabling you to buy one based on the size of your household objects that need cleaning.
4. Use a Vacuum to Get Rid of Pet Hair
A high-quality pet vacuum can make a huge difference to the amount of hair in your home. In fact, it’s almost impossible to reduce the hair in your home without regular vacuuming.
We recommend vacuuming at least 3-4 times per week if you have pets. For heavy shedding, you may need to vacuum daily to keep hair under control.
If you’re not sure which to buy, look for a pet vacuum with:
- A mini turbo tool with a brush roll for upholstery and stairs
- A floorhead that’s effective for removing hair from carpets and hard floors
- Powerful suction to pull up more hair
- A large dust capacity (particularly if you have a dog or cat that sheds a lot)
Tip: If you suffer from a pet allergy, it’s best to buy a bagged vacuum with a high-quality filter. This prevents allergens escaping during vacuuming and emptying. If you need maximum mobility, look for a handheld pet vacuum or a cordless pet vacuum.
5. Clean Carpets With Window Squeegees
Window squeegees are useful for getting rid of pet hair, as the rubber loosens hair and pulls it from carpets.
This tip is simple to perform. Just run the squeegee over your carpet or other surface to remove hair, but be careful not to press too hard. You might be surprised at how much comes up even after you’ve vacuumed.
Tip: Remember to clean your squeegee before using it again on windows or mirrors!
6. Make Use of Damp Rubber Gloves
Another simple cleaning hack for getting rid of pet hair is to wear damp rubber gloves, rub your hands together, and sweep them over the areas covered in pet hair.
The friction between the fabric and gloves creates static energy, which will attract the pet hair to the glove and force it to stick. Give the gloves a quick rinse once they are covered in hair, then continue until you’ve cleaned the target area.
This method of cleaning pet hair is ideal for awkward areas to clean, such as pillows and sofas.
7. Sweep Hard Floors With a Rubber Broom
If you find that your hard floors are covered with pet hair, consider using a rubber broom to sweep up the hair. This is similar to the tip about using a window squeegee, but is more convenient for larger areas of hard floors.
While any broom will move hair around, rubber brooms are better at clumping up hair which makes it easier to remove. Unlike brooms with bristles, the hair probably won’t get caught in the broom either.
You can use most rubber brooms on carpets – although check the manual to make sure that the rubber won’t mark your carpet. Be warned that this technique will often show up just how much hair is hiding in your carpet!
8. Cover Upholstery With a Washable Throw
Does your pet love to sleep on a specific sofa or chair? If so, it might be easier to cover this location with a washable throw.
A throw will protect your upholstery from hair and is much easier to clean. You may need to secure the throw to the sofa somehow, however, as many dogs enjoy rucking up a sofa throw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Vacuum Your Dog?
No, you should not vacuum your dog. The loud noise and strange sensation will be highly stressful for your dog, especially as many dogs are already afraid of vacuum cleaners.
Furthermore, the strong suction may cause damage to your dog’s fur and may even lead to injury. If you need to groom your dog, make sure to use a tool that’s specifically designed to be safe for dog fur.
How Can I Get Rid of Pet Hair From Blankets?
It’s best to vacuum a blanket to remove as much pet hair as possible. Once you’ve done that, run a lint roller over it, before putting in a dryer on a no-heat cycle for approximately 10 minutes. This should remove the majority of hair before you wash it.
How Can I Remove Pet Odours from Carpets?
There are multiple methods for getting rid of odours from carpets, including using white vinegar or washing up liquid. Read our guide to removing carpet odours for more information.
Summary
Pet hair can quickly become a nightmare if you allow it to build up. For this reason, it’s important to regularly clean your home and remove as much hair as possible. The tips in this article will help you to keep pet hair under control.
Do you have any questions about getting rid of pet hair? Please let us know in the comments section below.