How to Remove Pet Hair from Your Laundry
Pet hair has a way of finding its way into all the cracks and crevices of your home. We love our pets as family, but their stray hairs can definitely drive even the most dedicated pet owner a little crazy.
If you are tired of finding clumps of pet hair in your clean laundry or stuck in hard-to-reach parts of your washing machine, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) is here to help. Pet hair clings to fabric and water just makes soggy clumps. Use these tips to wash the pet hair out of your laundry for good:
Roll Your Clothes Before You Wash Them
Although it might seem tedious, use a lint roller on your clothes before you put them in the washing machine. This can save you a lot of post-wash pet hair strife. Invest in a quality lint roller that will catch a majority of the pet hair before it becomes a problem. You can also use fabric brushes or even tape to get pet hair off your clothes before you wash it.
Dry Your Clothes First
This is a wonderful tip. If there is stubborn hair on some articles of clothing, you can throw them into the dryer first before you wash them. Air or low is fine–no heat necessary. The lint trap will catch a majority of the hair, and adding a dryer sheet will help the fabric repel hair. This is an especially helpful hack if you live in a multi-pet house or have an animal that tends to shed more than most. It will also prevent the need to clean out globs of wet pet hair from your washing machine.
Add Barriers in Your Washing Machine
There are plenty of products on the market like fur zappers or wool dryer balls that can collect hair in one place to make it easier to clean. These products can also trap people hair, so you don’t have to worry about finding so many loose locks when folding your laundry.
White Vinegar in the Rinse Cycle
Another good tip is to add 1/2 cup white vinegar to your rinse cycle. It helps to relax fabrics and frees hair trapped in clothing. You may even want to avoid clothing that is especially bad at trapping pet hair–fabrics like velvet and corduroy.
Clean Your Washer and Dryer
The more hair that’s in the washer and dryer, the more you will notice it. If you have pets, you might want to clean your washer and dryer more often than you would in a petless home. You can use a paper towel or damp washcloth to wipe down the inside, or run the washer on a rinse cycle before you add your clothes.
Brush Your Pet Regularly
One of the most effective ways to prevent pet hair from getting into your laundry is to keep it from getting on your clothes. Invest in a quality grooming brush and use it regularly on your pet. A consistent bath schedule can also help you get rid of some of this excess hair before it finds its way into your washing machine.
Reduce Pet Hair on Furniture
One way we get pet hair trapped in our clothes is by sitting on it. Run a rubber glove or one of these pet hair removers over the fabric first to remove large clumps of hair. Vacuum your upholstery frequently, keep a mat on the sofa that doesn’t attract pet hair and is easily cleanable…or just keep your pet off the furniture.
At OVRS, we want you to have access to all the information you need to improve your life at home with your pets. From care tips in our blog to a wide range of specialty and emergency veterinary services, we give you the tools you need to give your pets the lives they deserve. Call (248) 334-6877 to learn more.
