Save Your Home With These Pet Hair Removal Tips

Dog hair is everywhere! It’s part of sharing our homes with dogs, yet it drives most pet owners crazy. Stop dog shedding for good with these tried-and-true hacks that I’ve collected over the last 20 years as a dog trainer. Most are low cost, and some are even free!

1. Spray Carpet First

Dog hair loves to hide in carpet fibers, which becomes almost impossible to completely remove. About 20 years ago, an old-school dog show person told me about this trick. She shared her home with 10 Bouviers (100-lb. hairy dogs) and her home was immaculate. This is easily still one of my favorite dog shedding hacks because it works so well.

Dilute fabric softener with water, and then spray on carpet before vacuuming. Diluted fabric softener will loosen pet hair and prevent static cling to maximize the amount of dog hair your vacuum picks up. Plus, this diluted solution leaves carpet smelling fresh and feeling soft.

Mix 1 capful of fabric softener and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist carpet and allow the carpet to dry before vacuuming. If you’re worried about spraying chemicals in your home, choose a chemical-free fabric softener, which you can find online or at most natural stores.

2. Use a Cover Sheet

When polled, most pet owners would love to share their beds with their dogs, but dislike having loose dog hair on their bedding. Give this old trick a try! Completely cover your comforter with a large, neural-colored flat bed sheet. Pull the sheet up to cover pillows, and ensure the flat sheet is large enough to cover your entire comforter for maximum protection. Some pet owners use neutral-colored fitted sheets when their dog wads up a flat sheet. Launder cover sheet weekly.

3. Vacuum Instead of Sweep

Sweeping will not remove all dog hair; it’s impossible. Instead, vacuum hard surfaces for maximum pet hair removal. Turn off your vacuum’s spinning brush to protect hardwood floors, and don’t forget to vacuum corners really well. Weekly vacuuming will prevent dog hair from floating around your home, and bi-weekly vacuuming will be needed during dog shedding season (spring and fall).

4. Remove Fur From Clothes

Super simple, environmentally friendly and free! Wet palms of your hand, then rub damp hands over hairy areas on your clothes. Just like using a lint brush, move hands in one direction, rinse off loose hair and continue until all hair is removed. Personally, I’ve used this trick after each private lesson client and when working as a vet tech. This dog shedding tip works wonderfully.

5. Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Everyone forgets to check their air filter until their AC repairman pulls out a fur-coated filter. Depending on your AC system’s needs, change monthly and choose HEPA filters if possible. Portable air filters keep dog dander and hair down to a minimum too.

6. Purchase a Car Seat Cover

Oh, cars can take a beating from dog hair. Cover your seats and flooring with car covers made for dogs. While it’s temping to cover car seats with old sheets, this type of thin fabric easily shifts when excited dogs pace around. Also, choose plastic floor covers to minimize vacuuming. They’re super easy to rinse after muddy car rides.

7. Brush Your Dog Daily

Hacks will keep dog hair off your furniture and car interior, but nothing stops dog shedding like brushing your dog daily. Throw loose hair away in your outdoor trash can to prevent hair from floating back into your home. Better yet, brush your dog in a shady part of your backyard. Birds use loose hair to build nests, and it prevents a hairy mess in your home. Choose the right deshedding tool for maximum hair removal.