How to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes

Pets are wonderful companions that many of us welcome into our homes. They provide hours of entertainment and unconditional admiration, but look around and you may find that they have left little reminders of their existence everywhere. Their fur clings to every inch of furniture, carpeting and other fabrics in the home, including your clothing. Pet fur and the dander that comes with it can be a real nuisance to remove and keep clean. These simple steps will rid your furry friend’s hairy trail and give your fabrics a fresh, clean look.

• Water
• Sponge
• Latex gloves
• Vacuum with upholstery attachment
• Wide tape
• Lint roller
• Velcro
• Dryer sheets
• Liquid fabric softener

• Moisten your hand with a small amount of water and rub it over the area. The water will cause the hair to ball up and clump together for easier to removal. Brush from the top to the bottom for best results.
• Latex gloves often have textured palms that work well for grabbing pet hair. Adding a small amount of water will also help to pull the hair off quicker.
• A slightly moistened sponge is another great hair removal tool. Squeeze it out well before use. Only a small amount of moisture is required to effectively rub the hair into clumps.
• Vacuums can make the job quick and easy. Simply attach the upholstery attachment and suction the hair from the surface. This also helps to remove the pet dander that falls off with the fur. If there are individuals with allergies in the house, use a vacuum with a good filter to avoid irritation.
• For quick clean-ups, especially on clothing, a lint roller or wide tape will be the best option. Simply wrap the tape around your hand so the sticky side if facing outward. Next, roll the tape across the fabric to pick up any stray hairs. If you frequently have hair on your clothing, keep an extra roll of tape or a small lint roller in your desk at work as well as in the car for quick touch-ups.
• If you’ve ever had to pick out strings and lint from your Velcro straps, you know how securely it can pick up long bits of things. While annoying to clean out, this makes a great tool for gathering up pet hair off of both clothing and furniture. Use the hook and loop side (the rough one) to rub over the dirty area. The rough texture will quickly gather the fur. Wide pieces of Velcro are available at most craft supply or fabric stores.
• Dryer sheets have many uses beyond the dryer, and this is one more. Rub a fabric softener sheet over the surface and watch the hair come loose from the fabric.
• If the pet hair is stuck on the carpet, mix a small amount of fabric softener with water in a spray bottle. Mist the surface of the carpet and allow it to dry. Vacuum the area as normal. The fabric softener will help to release the fur so it can be removed more easily.
• For clothing with lots of pet hair on it, toss it in the dryer for a quick touch-up. Adding a dryer sheet will help to remove even more of the hair. The unwanted hair will be removed and trapped in the lint filter for easy disposal.

• Remember the fun of rubbing a balloon on your head to make your hair stand up? The static that is created will also attract pet fur off of fabrics. Rub a balloon to produce the static and then rub it over the area you would like to clean. The hair will “jump” off of the fabric and stick to the balloon.
• There are vacuums designed with a pet hair removal feature. These vacuums often have special filters and brushes that help to remove pet hair more effectively without spreading irritating allergens into the air. If you have several pets, or just one that sheds a lot, it is well worth the investment.