Keep Finding Dog Hair in My Socks
Do you have a pet who sheds constantly (though you wouldn't have them any other way), or a furry friend who starts moulting in warm weather?
Either way, you're fighting what seems like a never ending battle with pet fur on your furniture, clothes, bedding and other corners of your home.
Fear not - the GHI have taken time testing the best way to tackle pet hair, and even prevent it from returning. Here's our expert advice on how to remove pet hair...
Start with your pet
All healthy animals shed their coat to a certain degree. You can combat excessive shedding by brushing your pet regularly, plus, what better way to show them some love!
Your vet or groomer will let you know the best way to reduce shedding if it's hard to manage, or you have a heavy-shedding breed of dog/cat, e.g. Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Chartreux, Ragdoll, Russian Blue.
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Choose pet-friendly fabrics
Fabrics with a nap - like velvet, corduroy, velour and loose knits - will attract and gather pet hair more than others. And natural fibres, including cotton and wool, will attract hair more than synthetics.
However, the static produced by some synthetic fabrics can also attract pet hair, making it difficult to remove. Luckily, hair will slip right off satin, leather and other shiny materials.
Vacuum
If you let your pets on the sofa or they have a favourite armchair, be sure to vacuum these regularly using the upholstery tool. We rate the Hoover H-F800 as the best vacuum for pet hair removal. Invest in an anti-static spray to apply after the surface has been cleaned and use a lint roller, too.
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Use the dryer
If washable clothing or bedding is covered in pet hair, we'd recommend running it through the dryer for couple of minutes on the cool setting. The action of the drum will actually loosen a lot of the hair, pulling it into the filter. As ever, remember to clean the filter out straight away.
GHI TIP: A dryer sheet is a great tool that helps to reduce static and stop pet hair clinging to fabrics.
Use rubber gloves
You've probably got a pair of these lying about somewhere, so this is a great one! Use rubber gloves to clean pet hair off furniture: gently wet the gloves and brush them over the surface of the fabric. They'll create static which, coupled with the textured surface of the glove, will lift pet hair with ease.
Clean the gloves by plunging them in hot water and the hair will simply come away. Repeat as necessary.
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Deal with bedding
Most pet bedding can be washed in the washing machine, so do this regularly to avoid nasty niffs and a build up of hair.
Once you've washed the bedding, take some time to check for and clear away any pet hairs stuck to the inside of the drum. A short rinse cycle will wash these away - you don't want to cover your next laundry load.
Use a damp duster or mop
A damp duster works wonders anywhere pet hair has gathered, run it along skirting boards and walls, and the duster will pick up the hair as you go. For flooring, use a damp mop to pick up hair.
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Cover up
If you don't want to keep removing hair from your sofa, armchair, or duvet cover them with blankets for your pet to sit on.
Make your own anti-static spray
A mix of water and fabric conditioner is a quick and easy at-home anti-static spray. Use this to stop hairs clinging to furniture with a quick spray, then wipe it off.
Clothes troubleshooting
Even the cheapest of lint rollers are a great way to remove pet hair from clothing, so stock up. Alternatively, use tape wrapped around your hand, sticky-side up, and brush down the surface of the clothing.
Give clothing a spritz with an anti-static spray (try Eddingtons Anti Static Spray, £5 from John Lewis) when you put them on to make it easier to remove pet hair with a brush or lint roller.
Pet hair removal products
Eddingtons Anti Static Spray, 250ml
Bounce Fresh Linen Tumble Dryer Sheets
Marigold Extra-Life Kitchen Gloves Medium
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Keep Finding Dog Hair in My Socks
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a680039/how-to-remove-pet-hair/