How to Get Pet Hair Out of Laundry

Those of us with pets will testify to the tremendous amount of love and joy they bring into our lives. My cat loves to wake me up each morning by sitting on my stomach and purring, while the dog lays on the bed next to her, patiently waiting for my eyes to pop open so he can smother me with morning kisses. He’s as excited to see me when I wake up as he is when I come home from work, and I’m equally excited to see them.

What I’m not excited about is pet hair on my clothes. Quite frankly, it’s one of my greatest pet peeves (no pun intended)– so I thought we’d spend a few minutes discussing the best way to keep ourselves from taking little pieces of our four legged friends with us wherever we roam.

Why Pet Hair Doesn’t Wash Out Easily

Once pet hair settles onto clothes, it often becomes trapped in the weave of the fabric. The hair can get tangled in the fibres, especially when clothes are wet. Moreover, the detergent used in regular washing does not target pet hair specifically, making it harder for the hair to come off. This is why special care and methods are needed to effectively remove pet hair from laundry.

Tips for Removing Pet Hair

In an ideal world, our pets wouldn’t have the desire to climb on furniture or, at the very least, they would be trained not to do so. Quite honestly, there are evenings when I take great comfort in curling up with my pooch on the couch and watching TV. This has resulted in the vacuum attachments being used on the furniture at least once a week and sometimes more frequently, if one of my children wants to be mommy’s helper. It’s the best defense in keeping pet hair off of our clothes. If you have a pet that favors one particular chair or spot on the sofa, you can avoid the vacuuming chore by covering the piece of furniture with an old blanket or sheet, which can be removed before guests come to the house. In addition to vacuuming you should also brush your pets once a week to remove loose hairs.

The second best defense against pet hair on clothing is to clean the washing machine. Run an empty wash cycle; if your machine has a center agitator with a cup for liquid fabric softener, fill it with hot water before running the cycle. When the cycle is finished, grab a wet cloth and wipe down the entire machine. Keep the machine clean by running a lint roller over your clothes before you put them in the washing machine. Each of my children has a lint roller in their room and I’ve taught them to run it over their clothes before they take them off and toss them into the dirty laundry basket. I also keep one in the laundry room.

Using white vinegar in the washer will also help keep pet hair off of clothing. It reduces static cling and may help to release any leftover pet hair from clothing.

Finally, empty the lint trap of your dryer after each load. Pet hair will usually be caught in the trap, but will remain in your dryer and on your clothes if the trap isn’t cleaned on a regular basis. Do not fold clothes on your bed or any piece of furniture that is typically occupied by a pet. Hang the laundry and put folded items away immediately, to avoid having pets use them as beds. Keeping pet hair off of clothes is an ongoing battle, but it can be won with persistence.

Alternative Methods to Remove Pet Hair from Laundry

Use a Damp Cloth: If you don’t have a lint roller or brush on hand, you can use a damp cloth to gather pet hair. Simply wipe the cloth over the fabric, and the hair will stick to the damp surface.

Try a Pumice Stone: A pumice stone is another effective tool to remove pet hair from fabric. Gently rub the stone over your clothes, and the hair will collect on the stone, which you can then shake off.

The Power of Velcro Rollers: Velcro rollers, often used for hair styling, can also be used to remove pet hair. Simply roll them over the fabric, and the Velcro will grab the hair and pull it off.

Preventing Pet Hair Build-Up in the Future

To prevent pet hair from building up in your laundry, start by brushing your pet regularly. This helps remove loose hair before it can spread onto your clothes or furniture. Depending on your pet’s breed, you may need to brush them every day. Another useful tip is to create pet-free zones in your home, especially in areas where you do laundry. This will help limit the amount of pet hair that ends up on your clothes. Additionally, if your pet likes to relax on your bed or couch, use washable pet bedding or covers. This keeps the hair in one place and makes it much easier to clean up when laundry day comes.

Ready to be Laundry-Free?

Amanda Nicholson

Amanda Nicholson is a dedicated Laundry Specialist at Laundry Care, handling each client’s laundry with care and attention to detail. With a knack for organization and a commitment to quality, Amanda ensures that every load is cleaned, folded, and delivered on time. Starting as a part-time laundry provider, Amanda quickly became a go-to team member known for her consistency and reliability. Whether it’s sorting delicate items or managing quick turnarounds, Amanda’s hands-on experience and customer focus make a noticeable difference in every client’s experience.