Rid Your Home and Clothing of Pet Hair

If you have a pet, then your biggest dilemma when cleaning the house is probably pet hair sticking to furniture and carpets. You can never eliminate hair completely, but you can help to reduce it. If you want quick and easy solutions to control pet hair, then follow these tips.

Your Pet

The first place to start is with your pet. The more hair you can get rid of with brushing, the less there'll be on your furniture and carpets. Brush your dog or cat at least once a week, more often if you have a long haired pet. Cats usually like being brushed, and this will control the amount of shedding. Wash your cat with a shampoo that doesn't require rinsing, if they don't like a bath. Most dogs enjoy a bath, so do this regularly to remove more hair.

Vacuuming and Sweeping

Vacuum carpets everyday and use the attachments for furniture and curtains. It's surprising how much pet hair will hide behind the couch, if you haven't looked there for a while. Vacuum these areas regularly, and any other places that attract hair. A hand-held vacuum cleaner is useful when you're in a hurry or expecting visitors. If you have wooden floors, sweep these areas, and use a duster mop once a week to pick up any further hairs.

Lint Rollers and Brushes

Lint rollers and brushes are good for removing hair from clothing and fabric on chairs and cushions. Sticky sheets are effective at cleaning hair from jackets and trousers etc.

Clothing

Pet hair can be removed from clothing and pet blankets by laundering in the washing machine. Use a fabric softener sheet in the tumble dryer to control static, and stop the hair from clinging to the clothing. If you prefer hang blankets out to dry, and remove any remaining hair with a clothes brush. If hair is still sticking to your black trousers, lay on a flat surface and wipe a damp cloth over them before ironing.

Top Tip

The quickest and cheapest method for removal of pet hair is to wrap sticky tape or duct tape around your hand, and gently press over the clothing or furniture. Damp rubber gloves can also be used for smaller areas. Once you've vacuumed most of the hair, it's easy to use the other methods for spot cleaning any new hair.