How to Deal With Dog Hair

Dog lovers are willing to overlook a lot -- waste basket raids, slobbered windows and even occasional blasts of odor that defy description. Shedding, on the other hand, drives most human pack members crazy. If "hairy" is not the fashion look you want, or if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, relax. You can manage most of that unwanted dog hair with a regular grooming and cleaning routine .

Things You'll Need

  • Pet shampoo
  • Dog brush or comb
  • Washable furniture throws
  • Carpet rake
  • Adhesive hair roller
  • Fabric spray
  • 1 can compressed air
  • Dietary supplements
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Instructions

  1. Grooming Solutions

    • 1

      Bathe your dog regularly to remove the dead hair before it is shed. Ask your groomer about anti-shed sprays for your dog's coat and special shampoo treatments that can reduce shedding for up to two weeks.

    • 2

      Brush your dog every day. It's much easier to pull a clump of hair from the brush than to pick individual strands off clothing and furniture. A vet can give you brushing pointers and recommend the type of brush or comb that is most effective for your pet's coat.

    • 3

      Shorten your dog's coat. Your Lhasa apso does not have to match the one next door, and shorter hair is easier to keep clean and free of mats.

    Cleaning Options

    • 4

      Train your new pet not to sit on sofas, beds, and other hair-attracting furniture. If he has already staked his claim to the upholstery, invest in decorative throws that can be washed frequently. Wash them separately, however, or the hair will end up all over the rest of the laundry.

    • 5

      Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly. If you also treat it with a fabric protector, the hair is less likely to become embedded.

    • 6

      Clean hair off furniture and clothing using a pet hair roller, lint brush or adhesive sheets. Pet care centers also carry products which loosen and remove embedded hair.

    • 7

      Vacuum carpets regularly with a high-suction cleaner. If embedded hair is a problem, loosen it first with a carpet rake. For quick cleanups, use a damp cloth to wipe areas where hair collects.

    • 8

      Loosen hair that has built up in electronic appliances and computers with a blast of compressed air; then remove it by vacuuming or dusting.

    • 9

      Move the refrigerator every few months to clean the floor and remove pet hair from the condenser coils. This will not only make a difference for allergy sufferers in the house, but it will also improve the efficiency of the appliance.