No matter how much you love the dogs in your life, there’s no denying that the deluge of dander and hair they bring with them, can quickly spoil your home, and your clothes! But having dogs doesn’t have to be synonymous with a hairy home, and with these top tips, you can keep it fur-free:
Make your vacuum cleaner your best friend
Provided you clean your vacuum regularly, including the filter, it can be your first line of defence against pet hair. Start at the top (whether this be your furniture) and work your way down (to the floor, whether this be carpets, rugs or tiled or wooden flooring), using all the relevant attachments to make sure you reach every corner, and don’t forget the drapes, blinds and walls.
You’ll need to empty your vacuum regularly to prevent the pet hair from making it smell pretty terrible.
Getting dog hair out of clothes
This can be a nightmare, especially if you dress smart for work or are going out somewhere fancy, only to discover that your clothes are covered in your dog’s fur. While a lint roller is an amazingly effective tool for removing pet hair already embedded, you can also try adding vinegar to your washing cycle, to prevent your clothes from attracting so much fur in the first place.
According to many, the vinegar helps to soften fabrics and make them less susceptible to picking up pet hair; just half a cup added to the cycle will do. You can also try using dryer sheets designed for pet owners, or wool dryer balls to loosen the hair.
Eliminating pet hair from your car
Whether your dog loves going in the car, or not, sometimes you have to take them places, such as the park or the dreaded vets! Even if your pet is secured in the rear of the vehicle, you’ll doubtless find their hair everywhere by the time you return home. There’s really no simple way of removing it, other than to get the vacuum out and suck it all up, or put a pair of rubber gloves on and sweep the seats. But this can be inconvenient and time consuming, so it’s better to try and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Some companies make waterproof covers for car seats that you can lay down before your dog jumps in, or you can simply use a large (old) blanket or sheet to cover every available inch of space.
Removing pet hair from furniture
If your furniture is upholstered, then a damp sponge can be used to pick up most of the hair, and a quick run over with a vacuum should pick up any remaining hair. You can also use rubber gloves or fabric softener sheets in the same way.
If you’ve got some wooden furniture, simply take a microfiber cloth and a can of anti-static dusting spray and run them all over the furniture in question. A lint roller can be great for collecting any stray fur that may have drifted on to lampshades and other decorative items.
With these simple tips, you can live in harmony with your best friend, and not spend hours picking their hair off of your clothes or furniture. However, if pet hair is a consistent problem, you can hire a cleaning service to come in regularly and make sure it doesn’t take over your home completely!
