We here at Myer Carpet Cleaning fully understand that our pets play an important role in our daily lives, offering unwavering love, companionship, and comfort. We also know, like most pet owners, that one of the big drawbacks of owning a furry friend is the near-consistent shedding of hair around the house.
We believe that it’s important for us as pet owners to know how to effectively remove pet hair from carpet and other household upholstery so we can make the most of our time with our beloved pets while still maintaining a cleaner, more hygienic living environment.
Getting stubborn pet hair off of clothes, sofas, carpets, and other furniture can seem all-consuming, but with the right tools and know-how, managing pet hair can become far easier and expeditious.
In today’s comprehensive guide, we’ll give you our top tips for how to remove pet hair from carpet fibres and other furniture, while also covering the removal of pet dander and dirt.
Why It’s Important to Remove Pet Hair from Carpet
- Prolongs the lifespan of your carpets and upholstered furniture
- Helps to avoid adverse health and allergic reactions to dander, bacteria, parasites and more
- Keeps your home looking cleaner and smelling fresher
- Removing pet hair helps our pets stay cleaner and healthier
What to Use to Remove Pet Hair from Carpets and Other Upholstery
Lint Roller for Carpets
Lint rollers are a fantastic and inexpensive way to get rid of pet hair that has stuck to smaller surface areas like clothes and carpets. You can even find rollers specifically designed for carpets!
They tend to have a wider rolling pin and longer handle, making it easy to target most furniture with ease around the house. Lint rollers are some of the most versatile tools for pet hair removal!
Pet Hairbrush
Owners with long-haired dogs will likely be familiar with pet brushes! But, did you know, you can also use them on your carpets, sofas, and even curtains? Simply rake over the problem areas with the brush, using a long or short stroke, being sure to pull out hair clumps as needed. Repeat until you see little to no hair.
Carpet Rake
Carpet rakes for pets have become popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why! They function much like a broom, making it easy to effectively target areas that have accumulated stubborn pet hair without having to get on your hands and knees.
As a top tip, use longer strokes for carpets with longer fibres, and vice versa for short-fibre carpets.
Rubber Gloves
Most households will have a basic pair of rubber gloves but did you know you can also use them for pet hair removal? Simply pop one on then run your hands under some water to make it damp.
You can now rub down fabrics to remove dog hair from a carpet as well as cat hair! Be sure to rinse when your hands are full of pet fur, then repeat as needed depending on how much pet hair there is.
Vacuum Cleaner
It may seem obvious, but your household vacuum cleaner can work wonders in removing pet hair and pet dander! Regularly vacuuming and cleaning your surfaces will ensure pet hair doesn’t settle too deep into fabrics.
Handheld vacuums can make it easier and an upholstery attachment will more effectively pull out stubborn pet hair from carpets, sofas and more!
Pet Vacuum Cleaner
If you have pets that shed a lot of hair, it may be a great idea to invest in a pet vacuum cleaner. Pet hair vacuum cleaners have specifically designed attachments and brushes to pick up pet hair, fluff, dirt, and dander, leaving you with a cleaner and fresher home.
While they can seem a little pricey, they will save you hours of more intensive elbow grease using a normal vacuum.
Static Electricity of a Balloon
Okay, this method is more suited if you want to include the kids or just have a good time cleaning! We’re all familiar with this trick, but simply rub a balloon over your clothes to create a static charge, then rub the balloon over your carpet and the balloon should lift the stray pet hairs.
Fabric Softener
Fabric softener is designed to loosen up fabrics and give them an anti-static property that gently untangles them to allow for water and detergent to pass through. It’s no wonder then that fabric softener is also an effective tool for pet fur removal.
Simply mix equal parts water and fabric softener then place the solution into a spray bottle. Once settled in the spray bottle, lightly spray and mist your carpet or sofa, then allow it to dry.
Once dried, vacuum the area as normal as you should see that significantly more pet hair has been picked up.
Baking Soda
The baking soda method is an easy, natural, and inexpensive way to remove stubborn dog hair and cat hair from many upholstered furniture items! It will cling to pet hair and pull it out of fabrics and is also fantastic for removing unpleasant odours from carpets and upholstery.
Simply sprinkle a thin and even layer of baking soda (bicarb) over the problem areas, then allow it to settle for about 15-30 minutes. Then gather the collected hair using a brush or vacuum cleaner.
Use a Rubber Squeegee
A rubber squeegee will easily create static electricity much like a balloon, but better. It is a great way to remove dog hair from a sofa. Grab a clean and dry squeegee, then rub it across the problem areas on your carpet or upholstery and it should attract the loose hair, making it easy to pick up. Vacuum afterwards for the best results.
How to Prevent Pet Hair from Accumulating
- Cover your pet’s favourite spots with sheets, blankets or throws and wash them frequently
- Brush and groom your pet regularly, outside if possible
- Regularly vacuum your floors and upholstery, and mop where possible
- Wash your bedding regularly and don’t forget to dust wherever you can
- Keep clean clothing away from areas where your pets frequent
When to Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner
We know life can get hectic and sometimes there’s just too much to clean. At Myer Carpet Cleaning, we specialise in premium steam carpet and upholstery cleaning, Australia-wide!
Our friendly, prompt, and professional technicians will have your carpets and furniture looking new again without any hassle on your end.
We want you to enjoy those special moments with your furry friend and family and we’ll handle the rest!
Book your next clean today or take a look at our full range of professional cleaning services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Pet Hair from Carpets
What is the best way to remove pet hair?
Pet hair can be stubborn and very consistent. We recommend that you regularly vacuum and clean the floors and surfaces of your home. If your pet has longer hair or a vacuum isn’t enough, investing in pet vacuum cleaners or a specially designed pet hair lint roller with extra sticky attachments can do wonders!
What is the best way to get pet hair out of a carpet?
Carpet lint rollers and rubber squeegees have proved to be successful and easy methods to remove pet hair from carpets. For carpets with longer threads and orientations, a powerful vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment may be a better option.
How do you remove animal dander from furniture?
For flatter surfaces like carpets and sofas, a lint roller can help to remove pet dander and debris. For tougher surfaces, a vacuum cleaner can be used. Try to also clean your air ducts and air conditioning units to ensure they aren’t circulating dander throughout the house.
How do you get animal dander out of fabric?
For fabrics like bedding, curtains, and covers, washing them in hot water and detergent should eliminate dander. It will also help to regularly bathe and groom your pets to ensure as little dander reaches your furniture as possible.
How do I keep my pet’s hair from sticking to the furniture?
The best way to prevent pet hair from accumulating on furniture is to cover your pet’s favourite spots with an old blankie or throw cover. Wash these covers regularly to keep them clean and dander-free.
If hair still manages to find its way to the couch, use a lint roller or vacuum cleaner to pick it up.
What is the best way to remove pet hair from a sofa and carpet?
Lint rollers are very effective tools when combating pet hair around the house! They are easy to use and you can find many different sizes, shapes, and attachments to ensure you find the perfect roller for your needs.
If you’re wondering what is the best way to get dog hair out of a carpet or the best way to remove cat hair from a carpet, lint rollers are certainly up there!
Does vinegar remove pet hair?
Vinegar is just a great ingredient to have around the house for cleaning. It can be used to clean carpets and mattresses, but it can also be used to combat pesky pet hair on clothing!
We recommend adding about half a cup of white vinegar to your washing machine during the rinse and wash cycle. This will help to relax the fabrics and release the hair.
Is there a difference between cleaning dog hair and cat hair?
Cat hair tends to be shorter than dog hair with a rougher texture. Dog hairs are usually longer and softer overall. Both can seem all-consuming when it comes to house cleaning and maintenance.
For your general weekly cleaning, lint rollers and vacuum cleaners can help control pet hair, but for a deep clean, we recommend getting professionals at least twice a year.
Wrapping Up Our Guide on How to Remove Pet Hair from Carpets
So, there you have it, our top 10 tips for how to remove pet hair from carpets and other household upholstery!
We at Myer Carpet Cleaning hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative so you can go into your pet cleaning responsibilities with more confidence and capability.
For all your steam cleaning needs throughout Australia, be sure to contact us today so we can help make your life that little bit easier!