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How to Remove Pet Hair From Car & Home

Whether you’ve just brought home your first-ever furbaby or have been a lifelong puppy parent, chances are that dog hair seems like a constant battle. For many of us, it seems like every time we turn around there are new deposits of dog hair. How is one to remove pet hair from car and home?

Often, going to the office means getting the evidence of our beloved pet OFF of our suit or dress. The only place that hair is welcome is our best friend’s donut bed. Is there any way to control the mess? 

There sure is. Here are a few ways to keep stubborn hair at bay.

How to Remove Pet Hair from Car and Home

remove pet hair from car and home

There are many methods to removing pet hair from your car and from your home. We'll break down these seven prevention and removal methods:

  • Regular brushing
  • The rubber glove method
  • Regular vacuuming
  • Seat covers
  • Car detailing
  • Lint rollers
  • Pumice stone

1. Regular brushing

dog being brushed

While dogs will always hold a big piece of our hearts, brushes are our best ally in the battle against hair.

Like humans, dogs need regular brushing to remove loose hair and prevent mats from forming. However, brushing is more complicated than many of us realize. Some dogs love to be brushed, while others hate it. We know of several precious pets that won’t sit still long enough to get a thorough brushing. At least, not without some convincing from mommy or daddy and a high-value treat or two.

There are a few reasons for grooming resistance. For one thing, it is easy for us to brush too aggressively. For another, we often use the wrong tools like a harsh wire brush vs rubber bristles. This problem is relatively easy to combat, however. While some brushes work for a variety of coat types, there is a brush designed for every coat type.

In addition, there are specialized combs like a lilly brush that are designed to control shedding. These combs will help keep even a dog bed cleaner. Many experts recommend checking with your vet or dog groomer to see what they would recommend.

Proper grooming is critical

Speaking of dog groomers, they are experts at hair control when it comes to your furry friend. That’s because groomers use specialized products which are designed to be healthier for doggy skin. Pet skincare experts have developed shampoos and conditioners that reduce shedding and doggie odor alike. 

Even if you bathe your dog at home most of the time, be sure to purchase dog-specific products. These keep your precious pet’s skin from drying out, which not only increases hair shedding but the sloughing off of dead skin cells. Do not use human shampoo on dogs

2. Rubber gloves

Even with proper brushing and frequent grooming, it might help to try rubber gloves or grooming mitts. These allow you to gently clear loose fur from your dog’s coat without his realizing it. That’s because the “bristles” are so short and soft that it feels like you are simply giving him cuddles and belly rubs. However, you can easily extract hair and place it in the trash when bonding time is over. Best of all, there’s little risk of irritating sensitive doggie skin. What’s not to love?

A squeegee works in a similar way that rubber gloves to in order to remove dog hair from the home. The rubber blade covers more territory, too that captures a larger amount of hair and debris.

3. Practice frequent cleaning

Even with frequent brushing and proper grooming, there’s no way to avoid a certain amount of shedding, not to mention what gathers in the nooks and crannies of your home and car's interior. The easiest way of keeping this remaining hair from taking over the house is with cleaning. In particular, vacuum cleaners are your best weapon. 

Many models are designed for pet owners, and these are especially good at cleaning up pet hair. Some even come with special attachments which ball up the fur and make it easier to remove. 

Pet owners with allergies should consider getting a model with advanced filtering. This way, the dirt and dander from the carpeting will not get blown back into your room. Emptying a canister of dog hair into your trash is much easier than picking it up by the handful before throwing it out.

If your dog is sensitive to the noise, consider shutting him in another room while you vacuum. To make him feel better, leave him with a puzzle toy to work on and keep him occupied. It’ll be over before he knows it. This sure beats having your pet “attack” the vacuum.

4. Slipcovers save the day

Especially if your dog is allowed on the furniture (or won’t stay on the floor), consider getting a slipcover for your upholstered furniture. Upholstery collects dog hair like crazy, so you probably don’t want that expensive material getting coated in fur. 

Even worse, it can be difficult to get the hair cleaned up. A slipcover, on the other hand, can be removed and cleaned. Consider a washable cover for minimal maintenance. Instead of a slipcover, consider using a blanket or sheets. These can also be removed easily when company comes.

You can protect the back seat with the same method if you don't have a dog hammock.

5. Car detailing

Car detailing lives up to its name. This isn't your typical car wash -- this type of in-depth car cleaning literally covers every little detail from the car's carpets to the crevices between the fan blades. While some detailers can be expensive, it's worth shopping around for a reasonably-prived service. Your previously hair-cover car seats will look brand new!

6. Lint rollers & duct tape for pet hair removal

When dog hair inevitably gets on your clothes or car cushions, tape rollers are a great way to get rid of it. There are commercial rollers available that are intended for dog hair removal. Often attached to a handle, the sticky side of tape rollers are run over your clothes or surface that needs hair removal. When one exposed area of adhesive is full of hair, you’ll pull off the tape to reveal another sticky surface. These are easy to put in the glove box of your car to use before work.

Many people also have great DIY results using duct tape, packing tape, or dryer sheets. With tape, you will rip off a section large enough to loop around several fingers. Run the tape loop over the surface, allowing it to “roll” around your fingers. When the tape loop doesn’t stick anymore, repeat as needed.

7. Pumice stone hair remover

Pumice stones like fur-zoff work well for removing dog hair as well. You simply sweep it over hairy fabric or carpet to remove hair.

Final notes on removing pet hair

Finally, keep in mind that your dog’s bed also needs regular cleaning. At Best Friends by Shari, we only make dog beds and pet blankets that are machine washable (don't forget to use fabric softener or fabric softener solution! This helps collect loose hair in the dryer). 

By regularly washing your dog beds, all that fur and doggie smell goes down the drain. Combined with other efforts, this will help keep your car's seats and home cleaner.

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