Having a furry canine companion comes with many joys, but dealing with dog hair on furniture, clothes, and other fabrics can be frustrating. Those short, stiff hairs seem to get everywhere and can be stubborn to remove once they’ve embedded themselves into fabric. Thankfully, there are some simple and effective methods to get dog hair out of fabric.
Page Contents
Why Does Dog Hair Stick to Fabrics?
The reason dog hair clings to fabric has to do with the structure and texture of the hair. Unlike human hair, dog hair is generally shorter and coarser. The outer layer of dog hair, known as the cuticle, is made up of scales that are rougher than human hair scales. This makes the hair better at clinging to textured surfaces like fabrics.
In addition, many dogs have a double coat of fur – a dense undercoat protected by a rougher outer coat. When these hairs shed, they combine to form little bristly clusters that wedge their way into fabrics. Static electricity can also cause loose hairs to jump from the dog to fabric surfaces.
Prevention Tips
While it’s almost impossible to keep fabrics completely dog hair free, there are some tips to reduce how much hair sticks and make removal easier:
- Groom dogs regularly to control shedding using brushing, bathing, and deshedding tools.
- Cover furniture and car seats with removable, washable covers or blankets.
- Use lint rollers on fabrics frequently to pick up loose hairs before they get embedded.
- Spray fabric surfaces like carpet and upholstery with anti-static spray.
- Wash clothing, linens, and other removable fabrics regularly to avoid build up.
Vacuuming
One of the easiest ways to remove dog hair from sturdy fabrics like carpet, rugs, furniture, and car seats is by vacuuming. Vacuuming lifts loose surface hairs and pulls up embedded hairs through suction. For best results:
- Use a vacuum with good suction power and a hose and upholstery attachment.
- Adjust height to appropriate level for different fabrics.
- Use the narrow suction tool to target small areas.
- Vacuum against the nap direction to lift hairs from the base.
- Check hidden areas like crevices, seams, and corners.
Tips for Different Surfaces
Carpets and Rugs: Use a height adjustment and run the vacuum in overlapping lines. Go over high traffic areas several times. Use a carpet rake to fluff the pile and loosen more hairs between vacuuming.
Furniture: Use the crevice tool to vacuum seams and tufts. Remove and vacuum cushions individually. Wipe leather with a microfiber cloth first to lift surface hairs.
Car Seats and Floors: Use the hose to thoroughly vacuum crevices, folds, and seams in upholstery. Clean floor mats outside the vehicle. Use detail brush attachment for car carpets.
Lint Rolling
Lint rollers quickly grab onto loose dog hairs through sticky sheets. Keeping a roller on hand is great for quick removal between vacuuming sessions. Roll over surfaces repeatedly to pick up newly shed or uncovered hairs. Lint rollers work well on:
- Furniture
- Carpets and rugs
- Curtains and drapes
- Blankets and bedding
- Clothing and upholstery
- Car seats
For a reusable option, try an adhesive lint brush. Just wash off the rubber bristles when clogged with hair.
Laundering
The heat, agitation, and detergents in laundry weaken fabrics bonds with dog hair so they release. Washable fabrics like clothes, linens, removable covers, and pet beds can be machinewashed to remove embedded dog hair:
- Shake items first to dislodge loose hairs.
- Wash with hot water to maximize hair removal.
- Add vinegar or detergent with enzymes to break down proteins in hair.
- Use an extra rinse cycle to capture more hair in the lint trap.
- Air dry when possible to avoid re-depositing hair in the dryer.
For delicates, HAND wash and line dry to remove hair. Dry cleaning is also effective for clothes and fabrics that can’t be machine washed.
Sticky Rolling
Rubbing sticky sheets over fabric helps lift out deeply embedded dog hairs. The adhesive grabs onto the fine ends and pulls hairs up and off the fabric surface as you roll. To sticky roll:
- Work in sections, rubbing sheets across grain to hook hair ends.
- Use short, overlapping strokes and moderate pressure.
- Roll repeatedly over same area to get up stubborn hairs.
- Lift sheets straight up between rubs to remove gathered hair.
Sticky rollers work well for upholstery, carpets, pet beds, blankets, and car interiors. Replace sheets frequently for best results.
Rubber Gloves
Rubbing fabric between dampened rubber gloves can surprisingly effective at pulling up clingy dog hairs. The texture and friction of the rubber grabs and lifts hair from fabrics. To try this simple hack:
- Wet rubber dish gloves and wring out excess water.
- Gently rub over fabric in a circular, overlapping motion.
- Focus on frequently occupied areas like seating surfaces.
- Rinse gloves as needed to remove hair buildup.
- Let fabric air dry when finished.
This works great for furniture upholstery, pet beds, car seats, and other sturdy fabrics. Avoid using on delicates that could snag or warp.
Squeegees
Similar to rubber gloves, squeegees utilize rubber edges to statically cling and lift dog hair from surfaces. Any smooth-edged squeegee can be used to “squeegee” areas, working the edge across in overlapping strokes. Try a:
- Plastic window squeegee
- Silicone dish squeegee
- Hard rubber pet hair removal tool
Make sure to rinse and dry the cleaning edge frequently for continuous effectiveness. Great for use on upholstery, car seats, rugs, and more.
Compressed Air
Blasting compressed air is an easy no-contact way to lift dog hair off of fabrics. The strong air current helps disentangle and propel hairs off the surface so they can be easily vacuumed up. To use compressed air:
- Secure fabric item or vacuum nearby to catch loosened hair.
- Insert air nozzle 1-2 inches above surface.
- Steadily move nozzle across fabric, releasing quick bursts.
- Work across sections until no more hair emerges.
- Avoid using on delicate fabrics that could tear.
Electronic compressed air cleaners are available, but even a can of compressed air spray works. Great for furniture, beds, rugs, and car upholstery.
Fabric Shavers
Fabric shavers use micro-blades to shave away pilled fuzz and stubborn dog hair from fabrics. When moved across fabric, the shaver blades cut through hair at the base, removing it from the surface. Different models feature adjustablde shaving depths. To use a fabric shaver:
- Read manuals and test on inconspicuous area first.
- Adjust blade depth as needed based on fabric.
- Move shaver slowly in different directions as hairs emerge.
- Cover a small area at a time to avoid over-shaving.
- Empty shaver chamber frequently to remove hair.
These electric tools work on all types of fabrics but work best on shorter-pile and sturdier weaves. Use caution on delicates to prevent damage.
Anti-Hair Sprays
Applying a specialized liquid coating can help keep dog hair from clinging to fabrics in the future. Anti-hair sprays contain silicone polymers that make fabric surfaces slicker so hair slides right off. Some options include:
- Liquid rubber sprays – Dry to form stretchy barrier.
- Silicone sprays – Repel water and oils to resist hair.
- Static guard sprays – Neutralize static that draws in hair.
Even cooking spray or rub-on wax products can provide some hair resistance. Reapply regularly for ongoing effectiveness.
Adhesive Paper
Ordinary masking or painter’s tape can be used to lift dog hair from fabrics. Simply press small strips of tape onto fabric and peel gently to pull up clinging hairs. The mild adhesive helps grab onto fine hairs without damaging most fabrics. To tape:
- Apply 1-2 inch strips of tape adhesive-side down onto fabric.
- Smooth strips to ensure contact, but avoid heavy pressure.
- Slowly peel tape back on itself to lift attached hair.
- Repeat across areas, using fresh pieces of tape as needed.
Works well for upholstery, beds, clothing, and other delicate fabrics. Test first in inconspicuous spots to ensure tape doesn’t pull or damage the weave.
Hand Picking
For truly stuck dog hairs or sporadic issues, simply pulling them out by hand works. Wrap hairs around a piece of tape wound over your finger to get better grip. Use needle-nose tweezers or “sticky” fingertip covers for stubborn hairs. Take your time and be gentle to avoid damaging fabric.
Hand removal works great for spot treating problem fabrics or touching up areas after other removal methods. It takes patience, but gets the job done hair-by-hair for pesky strays.
Conclusion
Dealing with dog hair stuck on fabrics can be tedious, but is manageable with the right techniques. Regular vacuuming, laundering, lint removal, and grooming prevention are key. For stuck-on hairs, rubber and adhesive tools lift hair, while fabric shavers cut it away. With the right methods and some elbow grease, you can keep fabrics looking hair-free.