The easiest way to remove pet hair
May 21, 2015
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Most frequently the messes are hair balls on the floor and actual hair on the furniture. I never think it’s too bad around here until a friend with allergies visits or I’m deep cleaning for company. (The latter I try to do if I know the former is going to happen, but sometimes there’s not enough time.) THEN I notice it – and the dog is the culprit more often than not.
We have four animals – three cats and the dog:
We love them to pieces!! But these sweetie heads create a lot of work. I think it’s like with kids – one or two aren’t bad, but when there’s three or four they start to take over a bit. ;)
The biggest issue is the hair, which I try to keep up with but let’s be honest – it’s usually once every month or so (if that) that I actually address it. Thankfully the cat hair is only (mostly) a problem on the floors, but the dog hair is a sneaky beast that seems to show up everywhere, usually on his “perches.”
Our little dog has little dog syndrome, and must be on the lookout most days:
I’ve tried other brushes and and they don’t get it all either, including this one:
I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond and it’s OK, but it doesn’t get all the hair and it’s pretty rough. I wouldn’t use it on more delicate fabrics.
I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond and it’s OK, but it doesn’t get all the hair and it’s pretty rough. I wouldn’t use it on more delicate fabrics.
My favorite trick is the simplest (as usual) – I use a rubber glove:
Look away now if dog hair grosses you out. :) I show you this because I love you:
What I love is that you actually use your hands – you can really grab along the edges of furniture and cushions and use your fingers to get it all. It works better than any other method I’ve tried in 20+ years of adulthood with animals.
Peanut watched me the whole time I worked on this chair, and then promptly got back up on his spot:
Just thought I’d share this quick tip! I use it every time I clean off the sofas or chairs – along with a vacuum at times. But this is a quicker method of getting it cleaned up. Have you tried this trick? Any others you animal lovers use?
Here’s a photo to pin for later if needed (click on the pin it button in the upper left): 
GENIUS. I use the lint roller contraption thing but it doesn't do a great job...
ReplyDeletecan i just say i love post like this and the flower one a few days back. Its like posting like the old days and i appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteTHANK YOU for sharing. We have a great dane, Steel, and his hair isn't tooo bad, but it definitely collects. You want to know what my worst issue is? Since he's 130 pounds, I polish the floor, and then like an hour of him tromping around later - foot prints. Everywhere. I resigned myself to the fact that my floors will only look gloriously polished for about 30 minutes every week. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteFoot prints (human and animal) are one of the main reasons we did a satin poly on our floors -- thankfully we don't have that issue as much anymore. I remember it well though and feel your pain! :)
DeleteI soooo need to try this! My battle with pet fur is ongoing and I swear I keep the lint roller company in business. Thanks! Your blog is my favorite and I've been a daily reader for at least 5 years!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelly!
DeleteHi Sarah. I no longer have pets but I like your tip for cleaning up the hair. I have another one for you that I just read about, like two minutes ago, that I thought was pretty good too in case you want to try it. You use a squeegee to scrape the pet hair off carpet. The link is here http://www.listotic.com/55-must-read-cleaning-tips-tricks/10 in case you want to read it for yourself.
ReplyDeletehahaha! When I saw the kitty watching I could just hear these words, Hey! That hair doesn't belong to me...You really should get rid of that dog! hahaha! That is the cutest ever!
ReplyDeleteI'm allergic to cats and dogs and my son has my 2-hairy grands that I love to pieces. I take meds when I'm going to be around them. The boxer thinks he's a baby and sits in my lap. When they visit I have to clean like a mad woman but still find hair weeks later. I think they are worth it though. :)
Great tip on the hair picker upper. I'll try that instead of the vacuum next time.
I kind of thought the same thing about what the cat is saying, even though the color of the said fur and said cat match perfectly. I dog-sit with a black lab, bloodhound mix who sleeps on his owners solid black bedspread. The spread is covered in white hair. Can anyone explain THAT?
DeleteGreat tip! We have a kitty that is black and white and we have white couches. I've done the lint roller thing and it works to a degree but you go through half a roll on one cushion. I'm certainly going to try your trick!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem with my dogs and cat, but I just keep a towel on all their fave places and launder it regularly. I have doggy companions on top of the bed, and I keep a sheet to cover the bed at night and launder it in the morning. Love my little furry friends, and I can see that you love your's too.
ReplyDeleteThat was me, don't know why it didn't log me. Not that you really know me, but.... ^_^
DeleteLove this idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this tip! I'm in the market for a little dog and have been a wee bit worried about how I will manage the shedding (my last/only other dog was non-shedding but it seems all the ones catching my eye now will shed). I can't seem to figure out how to pin from your new format though. Could you give a little more detail for those of us struggling (or maybe I'm the only one...). Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh I hear you on the hair. I have three dogs and one cat. The dogs SHED!! (I have an Aussie, Sheltie, and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.) The cat smooshes down couch cushions. I usually have the teenaged daughter vacuum the furniture. But I think I will try this. Vacuuming works fairly well. But there are just certain spots it doesn't get the best. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteSame here 3 wee dogs and a kitten. One of the dogs is part Terrier and white -Turbo is the worst shedder I've ever had.I could knit a 6 pack of puppies every week. I just got done vacuuming the furniture when I read this I had to try the rubber glove. Oh my stars the hair ball that was still there was as big as the kitten. . .THIS REALLY WORKS. Thank you for this marvelous idea.
DeleteI can't wait to try this. We have a lab and two cats indoor. I cringe when someone gets up from the couch and you can see all the hair stuck to their pants.
ReplyDeleteWow...amazing. I will have to try that. I had hoped that Dakota being short haired it would not be bad, wow was I wrong esp since he loses white hair on my brown couch. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, I too had this problem but decided to build a simple bench the width of the window and the height that my dog could jump. It ended up being lower than the window sill. I then put a nice pad on it and he would lay all day and guard his domain. It was easier to clean one piece of furniture rather than all around the house. Love your tip though about the glove. Dawn
ReplyDeleteI've been using the glove trick for a while...nothing beats it! Totally off subject, can you please tell me where your tripod floor lamp is from ? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI found a lint roller that is the same size and style as a paint roller. We keep it in the car because our dog LOVES to cuddle but ont when we are dressed up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah! I've used the glove for a long time, but never wet it. I just tried it - awesome! Love our fur babies! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your posts. I am an animal rescuer so I am used to dealing with hair. Did you ever think about shaving your dogs - even the short haired ones? They usually shed the most. It will definitely cut down on the shedding. I do it all the time.
ReplyDeleteI just had to let you know how much I enjoyed seeing your fur children. We have four dogs (Chihuahua, 2 Chi-weenies and a black Lab) The hair is a never ending battle (especially the black Lab) but we figure it is a small price to pay for the joy they bring us. I too have found the rubber glove to be the most effective. I have considered shaving the Lab as someone commented above. I may be invested in some clippers.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a simple and very educative tip. Thanks Sarah, i enjoy reading your blog
ReplyDeleteI find a damp rag/cloth wipes the hair right off!
ReplyDeleteI read your blog every day but usually don't comment. So glad I'm not the only one with 4 pets (two dogs, 2 cats) that only cleans her floors once a month (or when company is coming). Right now our floor looks like we have enough hair to weave a wig for a Make a Wish child. Luckily we have leather couches. Now if I can just find a cat scratch-proof fabric for our dining room chairs. I did order the cats some nail caps or as I like to refer to them, their "acrylics." But we have yet to glue them on. And my lovely beadboard wallpaper is slowly being replaced by the real stuff due to said cat claws.
ReplyDeleteNiki
www.southercolonial.blogspot.com
YES! I have two cats, one is short hair and doesn't shed at all. The other is a white LONG hair, and we have dark grey couches. The hair is out of control all the time. I have also tried many things and the rubber glove is the only thing that works! I used to carry a spray bottle around and spray the glove every time but found it works just as well when the glove is dry. It sure makes my arms tired though, I have to put a lot of muscle into my cushions to get all that dang white hair. :)
ReplyDeleteSara-Love this post and adore Colby. We have a full house-four dogs and three cats and fight this battle daily. In addition we are outside Houston and getting constant rain. But our animals are our kids so totally worth it. Have a great weekend-Sheila
ReplyDeleteThank you for the timely tip! My allergic relatives will be grateful!
ReplyDeleteYour fur-kids are adorable! I found that a damp papertowel is really good for cleaning up hair from the carpeted stairs. And it always helps to select your pets to match your own hair color - no one will know whose hair it is on your cushions!
ReplyDeleteThose same rubber gloves during bath time will also remove loose hair. And those same rubber gloves during a brushing session are better than any brush you have to remove the loose hair. (Former groomer here - used this trick all the time.)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I use the rubber glove trick and for fur that get right into the fibres, wrap packing tape around my hand (sticky side out of course) and pat the furniture with it. Seems to pull that last, stubborn bit out. My son in law is violently allergic to pet hair and told me not to vac just before he visits because it stirs the cat dander up and makes it worse for him. I have to do it the night before so everything settles. pinning
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a cat, but two dogs... and they shake. They shake when they come indoors, when they get up from napping, after being petted. etc. EVERY time they shake their hair flies onto every surface in the room. It's a fact of life we live with in our choice to have pets. I will be trying your rubber glove method. xox Thanks so much for the advice! http://peppermedley.blogspot.com/2015/05/dinette-makeover.html
ReplyDeletelove the idea of the gloves!! And yes, couldn't help but notice the floor lamp.... I, too, would love to know where you got it. Thanks! Love reading your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tip!! I would've never thought about that, but it looks like it works awesome
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Lauren Baxter | LB Designs
xx
Great post!
ReplyDelete