Pet Hair Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Pet Hair

• There are several simple ways to remove the unwanted pet hair from your home. One popular method involves a latex rubber glove. Dampen the glove slightly and rub it on whatever surface you would like to clean. The pet hair will stick to the glove and is easy to remove. You can also try damping your own hand if you do not have a latex glove. The hair should ball up and stick to you if you wipe downwards.

  A sponge that is slightly damp can also be used to pick up pet hair from the floor, carpet or furniture. The hair will clump up on the sponge's surface. Try a wet dishcloth or a stiff bristled dog brush on carpeted stairs while hardwood floors can be vacuumed or dusted with dry mop products or cloths.

  Your children may enjoy removing pet hair with balloons. Inflate some balloons and rub them on the pet hair. Static electricity will attract plenty of loose fur that can then be removed from the balloon by hand. Lint rollers are another popular and easy way to remove hair from furniture and clothing. Give each child a roller and set them loose on your upholstery.

  Duct or packing tape can be used to pick up unwanted hair from your clothing and furniture. Simply wrap the tape around your hand with the sticky side up. Keep a roll of tape handy in your glove compartment or your workspace for a quick fix. Fabric softener sheets are also effective at picking up pet hair when rubbed on your upholstery.

  Cleaning pet hair from carpeting can be more involved. For low-pile carpeting, try lighly spraying a kitchen sponge mop with water and gently rubbing it on the carpet. The pet hair should clump. Liquid fabric softener can be used to loosen up pet hairs that are deeply embedded in your carpet's fibers. Mix one part softener to three parts water in a spray bottle and lightly mist your carpet. Allow the carpet to dry and then vacuum; the pet hair should be easier to remove. Finally, you can also sprinkle baking soda on your carpet before you vacuum thus removing hair and deodorizing the room at the same time. If these methods are not successful, you may consider hiring a professional to clean your carpet.

  Remember to use these methods on a regular basis and enjoy a more hair-free home.

Pet Hair Removal Products

• There are many products available that claim to help remove unwanted pet hair. For example, both Bissell and Dyson make vacuum cleaners specifically designed to remove pet hair from floors, carpeting and furniture.

  Pledge offers a small hand-held Fabric Sweeper for pet hair that can remove fur from upholstered couches and chairs and car interiors. Scotch makes a similar product called the Fur Fighter than claims to remove embedded hair. Sticky Sheets work like a giant piece of tape that you stick to your furniture and remove. Swiffer wet and dry cloths work well on many kinds of flooring.

  Be sure to research any product thoroughly before purchasing by consulting guides like Consumer Reports.

Preventive Measures

• Once you have removed all unwanted pet hair, you can consider some preventive measures to avoid accumulating hair in the future. Vacuum on a regular basis and wash any linens, pet beds or throw rugs on which your pets enjoy sleeping. You may also want to consider furniture covers if your pet enjoys a particular chair or couch. Covers can simply be removed and washed or removed completely if guests visit. Frequent grooming, such as brushing, will also reduce the amount of loose hair on your pets. Finally, keep your nice clothes away from your pets and change as soon as possible once you are home.