How Can I Remove Pet Hair From My Clothing?

animals environment

As pet owners know, it can be immensely difficult to remove pet hair from your clothing. Cats and dogs have short, pointy hair that seems to be ideally suited for clinging to fabric of all types and colors. A number of products are marketed to help remove pet hair from your clothing, and by combining these products with steps to reduce the amount of fur in your life, you can keep your clothing clean and fur-free.

The first step you should take to remove pet hair from your clothing is to remove pet hair from your environment. While shaving your pets might seem like a tempting option, there are less drastic approaches to take. Regular cleaning will assist greatly: sweep hard floors and vacuum carpeting on a frequent basis to take up pet hair and get it out of the house. Use furniture covers to protect your furniture and wash them frequently, especially if your pets are fond of a particular couch or chair.

There are also some measures which can be taken to reduce the amount of hair on your pets themselves. Use a pet hair brush to remove dead hair before it gets a chance to disperse itself around the house. If you have a dog, bathe it frequently to remove dust and dead hair, which will lead to an overall reduction of dog hair around the house. If you have a cat, consider using a specially designed pet hair roller directly on your cat to remove loose cat hair. For large animals like horses, cows, and goats, groom frequently to reduce the amount of shedding, in addition to using designated “farm” clothes which are not worn indoors.

After you have reduced the amount of pet hair that your clothing can pick up, you can focus on ways to remove pet hair from your clothing. Many companies design lint brushes or hair rollers which can be run over clothing to pick up hair. For a cheaper solution, you can use duct tape or any type of thick, sticky tape to remove pet hair from your clothing. You can also try whacking your more sturdy clothes against a hard surface to remove pet hair from your clothing: beating will loosen trapped hair, and should of course be done outside. You should also wash garments regularly to remove pet hair from your clothing.

It is also an excellent idea to hang your clothing or fold it and put it away. Pets often enjoy snuggling with clothing, especially when it is warm and freshly washed. After you have gone to great lengths to remove pet hair from your clothing, do not give your pets an opportunity to cover it in fur again. In addition, try to keep pet clothes separate from regular or dress clothes. If you take your dogs on walks or roughhouse with your cats, use designated pet clothing that you don't mind getting a bit dirty. When you are ready to go out to work or a social event, pull your hair-free regular clothes out of the closet, and avoid handling your animals after you are dressed.

Related wiseGEEK articles

Category

wiseGEEK features

Subscribe to wiseGEEK


4
I have both cats and rabbits indoors. I've found that using a water mister on my hands or the surface to be de-haired, helps the fur cling to my hands as I roll the hair off into balls. They sell rubber "pet" brushes, but I found that a rubber squeegee and mister can remove lots of hair fast from a large area.

I found by accident that a chunk of packing foam from a disk drive (don't know exact type - maybe closed cell?) I cut it into a brick about 2x4 and 3 inches long. I use it to roll up the hair by rubbing the dry sponge in a circular motion on my oriental carpets and carpeted stairways.

Last tip - as you wash the hairy stuff last on wash day, be sure to use a dryer sheet. it helps the hair release from the fabrics so it collects on the lint screen - clean that lint screen often. I even clean it during and after a "hair" load is run.

- anon40910
3
I had a lab that I bathed every day since it was 6 weeks old. If you get all the soap out, it is just the same as washing your own hair. He never had any skin problem or hair problem. Most people don't get all the soap out, which as you can imagine, would cause your own head to be dry and itch.

I took him to the basement where I had a short hose hooked to the faucet. He didn't mind at all since he'd been bathed every day since he was so little.

I used the hose to direct water everywhere I needed it to be, so he was completely rinsed. Took about 15 minutes overall. Clean dog, clean house. No allergies.

- anon39273
1
I don't like the idea of bathing pets frequently. That might cause skin problems for the dog.
- anon38921

FREE: Subscribe to wiseGEEK

 
    learn more

our strict privacy policy ensures that your email address will be safe



Written by S.E. Smith
Last Modified: 11 August 2009

copyright © 2003 - 2009
conjecture corporation