14 Of The Best Products To Banish Pesky Pet Hair From Your Home

By Molly Davis

Whether your pet is a short-haired cat or a long-haired dog, chances are you’re dealing with pet hair on your clothing, furniture, and floors. You may have even found some in your mouth (I know it’s gross but I’m surprised I haven’t coughed up a furball from the dog hair I’ve ingested).

Pet hair seems to attach itself to everything, but we love our shedding fur babies, so it’s a cross we are willing to bear. That doesn’t make it any less of a nuisance when you’re dragging the vacuum out of the closet three times a day!

There have been some great advancements in the dehairing department that make cleaning up pet hair a smidge more convenient than constantly using the big vacuum. We are here to help with tips and products that will get rid of pet hair and keep your home mostly hair-free.

Why You Should Remove Pet Hair

Although pet hair isn’t harmful, it is definitely unsightly and can cause damage to your washing machine, according to Consumer Reports.

“The mix of water and pet hair results in clumps that stick to fabrics and the sides of the washer drum, clogging drain pumps.

“The wet clumps of hair can prevent water from draining properly, which puts stress on your home’s plumbing. That’s why it’s important to reduce the amount of pet hair on your bedding and clothing before you put laundry into the washer.”

Which brings us to how to remove pet hair from your clothes, furniture, and everywhere else you need to dehair.

The Best Ways To Remove Pet Hair

Unless you own a hairless cat, a reptile, or a certain type of hypoallergenic dog breed which sheds less than their counterparts, your canine or feline family member is going to discard their fur.

Don’t judge them – have you looked in your shower drain lately? I bet there’s a hairball with your name on it lurking in the pipes.

So, first things first, you should be brushing your pet regularly – this will cut down on excessive shedding, and most dogs love to be pampered (I have no idea if cats like this or will scratch your face off). But my dog goes apeshit when he sees the brush – he knows it’s going to feel good, and it’s a lovely bonding exercise.

Vacuuming

Even with a regular brushing sesh, your furry friend is still going to shed, it’s just a fact of owning a pet. Vacuuming is the absolute best way to rid your space of most pet hair, especially if you use a targeted attachment that is able to get in the hard to reach nooks and crannies.

If you allow your pet on the upholstery, getting a cover for where they like to park their butts will cut down on hair removal time. My dog has a favorite spot on the couch, so I use a cozy blanket in that area and just throw that in the washer when needed!

The Tape And Lint Roller Method

The lint roller is a trusty hair removal tool and they make ones specifically for pet hair, so we suggest investing in a few of those as well. You can also use items you most likely have in the house, like rubber gloves. Simply wet the gloves and wipe them over the fabric, and the static created from the motion and the rubber texture grabs the pet hair.

Instead of a lint roller, some pet owners prefer to use duct tape. Just peel off a long strip, wrap it around your hand (sticky side out and secure it so it makes a loop) and apply it to the surfaces you want dehaired.

The Damp Cloth Or Sponge Method

Using a damp cloth or sponge is an easy way to rid your furniture of pet hair, specifically of the feline variety.

“Some pet parents have had more success using a slightly damp sponge, so we recommend you examine your couch fabric’s care instructions and then experiment accordingly,” advises Dependable Cleaners.

Wiping

“Our favorite way to remove pet hair from furniture, clothing, curtains, sheets, and other upholstery is the simplest: use a rubber glove. Simply rub your rubber-gloved hand over your couch (or whatever needs defurring) and voilà! The cat hair will roll off in wads you can throw into the trash can. Take note: For maximum cat hair removal, you should only rub it in one direction,” says Dependable Cleaners.

“The rubber glove trick isn’t magic; it’s science. The friction between your glove and the couch fabric creates “static cling,” causing cat hair, lint, and other debris to stick to the glove (the conductor). Depending on the fabric content of your couch or clothing, you might want to get the rubber glove slightly damp before running it over the fabric.”

We love our pets, but we do not want to be covered in or live among copious amounts of their hair, so we rounded up the 14 best products out there to achieve an almost fur-free home!