How to Get Rid of Pet Hair (and Keep It from Coming Back)

By Attique Ur Rehman December 1, 2025

If you share your home with a cat or dog, fur is part of the deal. It’s on the couch, in the carpet, stuck to your clothes, and somehow all over the car too.

The good news? With the right tools and routine, you can get rid of pet hair and keep it from taking over your home – without cleaning all day, every day.

This guide breaks everything down into:

Tools that actually work on pet hair
Room-by-room strategies for removing fur
Simple habits to stop the build-up in the first place

You can use this as a go-to pet hair cleaning guide at home, or as educational content on your cleaning website alongside services like House Cleaning Services and End of Lease / Bond Cleaning (especially handy when tenants have pets).

Why Pet Hair Builds Up Everywhere

Before you tackle the mess, it helps to understand why it feels never-ending:

Shedding cycles: Many pets shed seasonally, but indoor pets often shed all year.
Static and fabrics: Hair clings to soft furnishings, clothing, and car seats.
Air circulation: Hair floats and circulates through the home before settling.

So the key strategy isn’t just “remove hair” – it’s remove + reduce + prevent.

The Best Tools for Removing Pet Hair

You don’t need every gadget on the market, but a few reliable tools make a huge difference.

1. Vacuum Cleaner with Pet Attachments

A standard vacuum will help, but a model with:

Strong suction
Motorised brush head
Pet hair or upholstery attachment

will pull hair from deep in carpets, rugs, and couches instead of just skimming the surface.

This is the same type of equipment used in professional House Cleaning Services and Commercial Cleaning where pet hair is common in homes and pet-friendly offices.

2. Rubber Broom or Squeegee

Rubber has a natural static effect that attracts pet hair.

On carpets and rugs: pull a rubber broom or floor squeegee towards you – you’ll see clumps of hair form.
On car mats or fabric seats: a small rubber brush works wonders.

This is especially helpful before vacuuming, so your vacuum isn’t doing all the heavy lifting.

3. Lint Rollers and Sticky Tools

Old-school but effective:

Use on clothes before heading out.
Run over cushions, lampshades, and soft furnishings for a quick refresh.

For bigger surfaces, there are reusable sticky rollers that can be rinsed and reused.

4. Microfibre Cloths

On hard surfaces like skirting boards, shelves, and TV units, dry microfibre cloths grab hair instead of just pushing it around.

Use dry for dust and hair.
Use slightly damp on hard floors to catch hair after sweeping or vacuuming.

5. Dryer Sheets (Real or Reusable Alternatives)

Popping pet blankets and covers in the dryer for a short cycle (10–15 minutes) before washing can help loosen hair:

Hair ends up in the lint trap instead of on your clothes and bedding.
You can use disposable dryer sheets or reusable dryer balls depending on your preferences.

Room-by-Room Guide to Removing Pet Hair

Living Room: Sofas, Rugs, and Soft Furnishings

Start with textiles off the furniture
- Remove and shake out cushions and throws outside if possible.
- Use a lint roller or rubber glove on stubborn areas.
Vacuum slowly and systematically
- Use the upholstery attachment on sofas and armchairs.
- Vacuum in different directions to lift hair from the fabric.
Rugs and carpets
- Use a rubber broom or squeegee first to gather loose hair into piles.
- Vacuum thoroughly afterwards for a deeper clean.

Professional cleaners often include this detailed upholstery and carpet attention in premium packages under House Cleaning Services, especially for pet owners.

Bedroom: Bedding and Mattresses

Wash pet blankets, bed covers, and pillowcases regularly.
Before washing, give items a quick tumble in the dryer to release hair into the lint filter.
Use a vacuum upholstery tool on the mattress, especially if pets sleep on the bed.

To protect bedding long term, consider a dedicated throw or blanket where your pet prefers to curl up.

Hard Floors: Tiles, Timber, and Vinyl

Pet hair often floats and gathers along edges and corners.

Vacuum instead of sweeping
- Sweeping can just push hair into the air.
- A vacuum with a hard floor head will collect hair more effectively.
Finish with a damp mop
- A microfibre mop picks up the light hairs left behind.

If you’re offering regular cleaning for pet owners, detailing this method on your House Cleaning Services page shows you understand the challenge of fur properly.

Cars: Seats, Boot, and Floor Mats

Pets in the car = fur in every crevice.

Remove floor mats, shake them outside, then use a rubber brush and vacuum.
On fabric seats, work a rubber glove or brush over the surface to pull hair together, then vacuum.
For leather or faux leather, use a microfibre cloth and appropriate cleaner.

You can mention car interior add-ons as an optional extra next to your main cleaning services if you cater to pet owners.

Laundry Tips: How to Stop Pet Hair Ruining Clothes and Towels

If you’ve ever pulled “clean” washing out of the machine still covered in fur, you’re not alone.

1. Shake or Brush Items Before Washing

Shake clothes and blankets outdoors to remove loose hair.
Use a lint roller or pet hair tool on heavily coated items first.

2. Dryer First, Wash Second

Put items in the dryer on a short, no-heat or low-heat cycle.
The tumbling action loosens hair, which gets caught in the lint filter.
Empty the lint filter after every pet-laden load.

3. Clean Your Washing Machine Regularly

Run a maintenance cycle or hot wash with no clothes occasionally.
Wipe the door seal and drum to remove trapped hair.

How to Keep Pet Hair from Coming Back So Quickly

You can’t (and shouldn’t) stop pets shedding entirely, but you can control where the hair ends up.

1. Groom Your Pet Regularly

Brush your pet outside or in an easy-to-clean area.
Use tools suited to their coat type (short-hair, double-coat, long-hair, etc.).

Less loose hair on the pet means less hair on your furniture.

2. Use Washable Pet Blankets and Covers

Place a dedicated blanket on favourite sleeping spots – couches, beds, armchairs.
Wash these regularly instead of having to deep-clean the entire sofa.

For rental properties, using washable covers can save a lot of stress before an End of Lease / Bond Cleaning inspection.

3. Choose Pet-Friendly Fabrics Where Possible

When you have the option:

Go for tighter weaves instead of loose, fluffy fabrics.
Leather and faux leather are typically easier to wipe than some textiles.

This is particularly useful for landlords, holiday rentals, or pet-friendly Airbnbs that rely on Commercial Cleaning or regular professional services.

4. Improve Air Filtration

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture fine hair and dander.
Consider an air purifier in rooms where pets spend the most time.

Better filtration helps reduce airborne hair and allergens.

5. Set a Simple “Pet Hair Routine”

Instead of waiting until the house is covered in fur, build a light weekly routine:

Quick vacuum of main traffic areas
Lint roller run over sofas and pet spots
Wash of pet beds and blankets