Tips on Reducing Pet Hair on Furniture

Pet owners think of their pets as family members and would never ask them to get off the couch because they shed too much. However, pet hair on furniture often makes the furniture look dirty and older than it is. This dilemma leaves you to find alternative solutions to reducing the amount of hair or fur on your furniture. Fortunately, there are some quick and easy tips to protect both your furniture and your family member.

  1. Furniture Coverings

    • One of the easiest ways to remove pet hair is to launder the material it is on. Slipcovers are available at most furniture stores and large retailers. Most are designed to fit standard sizes, but custom-made slipcovers can be made by an upholsterer. For non-standard sizes and shapes, throw a decorative blanket on the furniture that will not fade with washing to protect the furniture's fabric.

    Products

    • Several easy-to-use products are on the market to quickly clean away pet hair without having to bring out the vacuum cleaner. Products made of felt or velvet pick up hair easily. So do lint rollers or even masking tape. To find the best one that will work for you, talk to someone who works with animals like a dog groomer or dog daycare owner.

    Select Your Fabric Wisely

    • For furniture fabric, leather is the best choice for cleaning pet hair, with cotton being a distant second. Stay away from wool, microfibers and fleece. Fabrics with textured prints in muted tones will conceal hair most effectively. Avoid fabrics that will contrast with your pet's coloring.

    Give Pets an Alternative

    • Purchase a pet bed that your pet will enjoy. Introduce it to your pet by placing it on top of a favorite piece of furniture. Put your pet's favorite toys and an article of your clothing that you have not washed inside the new bed. After the pet begins to use the bed, move the bed onto the floor.

    Brush Regularly

    • Brushing your pet regularly with a steel brush or comb will cut down the amount of shedding.