It’s the dreaded problem many families with pets face – how do you deal with the pet hair? Discovering dog hair on your couch can turn a relaxing evening into a frustrating chore. 

But don't worry, we've got you covered with expert tips on how to quickly and effectively remove pet hair from your furniture

Dealing With Pet Hair In The Home

It’s a challenge many pet-owning families face – dealing with the inevitable shed. This becomes extra noticeable during warmer months when cats and dogs shed more heavily. 

While certain color combinations can highlight the problem (think a white cat on a dark sofa), the right strategies can make managing pet hair much easier.

Before bringing a pet into your home, consider their shedding potential. Consider shorthaired animals rather than longhaired pets, and ask shelter staff if the animal you’re considering adopting tends to shed. 

It can be difficult to predict shedding behavior, however, because some animals shed more under stressful situations (such as when they are living in a shelter or during visits to the veterinarian). 

Of course, we encourage you to adopt a pet you’ve fallen in love with even if shedding might be a concern because there are many ways you can deal with pet hair at home in order to maintain a healthy, clean environment for your pet and your family. 

Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!

HOW TO REMOVE PET HAIR FROM YOUR FURNITURE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE

Here's how you can keep your home pet hair-free:

1. Isolate Clothing and Protect Furniture

Keep your clothing in a pet-free zone and cover furniture with washable throws. This simplifies cleaning and protects your furniture from direct hair contact.

2. Regular Grooming

Brushing your pets regularly reduces the amount of hair they shed. It's beneficial for their coat health and reduces the hair around your home.

3. Vacuum Regularly

Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter is crucial for removing pet hair from carpets and upholstery. Consider scheduling professional cleanings for deeper maintenance.

You can call 1-800-FOR-COIT to schedule regular professional carpet cleanings, upholstery cleanings, and area rug cleanings so that we can help you maintain your pet-friendly home.

WikiHow.com offers a number of suggestions for removing pet hair from various your furniture and various other surfaces. Contributed by WikiHow readers, some of these ideas are listed below:

1. Weigh pet hair down with water.

Dampen the palm of your hand, and then wipe the pet hair off of the surface in a downward motion. The hair will ball up and stick to your hand.

2. Use a latex glove.

Put on the glove, and then use it to rub the surface that is covered with pet hair. 

For example, if you’re trying to get dog hair off of a couch, start at one end of the couch and methodically move to the other end to ensure no spot is missed. Rinse your hand or glove as it fills up with hair to maintain maximum effectiveness.The hair should stick to the glove. 

This tactic can also work with rubber gloves or cloth gardening gloves that have a rubber coating on the palm. Dampening the gloves might increase the effectiveness of this method.

3. Use a rubber bristle push broom

Us the rubber bristle push broom on floors, and try this with the broom slightly dampened if necessary.

4. Dampen a clean kitchen sponge 

Dampen a clean kitchen sponge and rub it over the area. The fur should roll up into clumps, which you can then remove by hand.

5. Use a sponge mop

Use a sponge mop to remove pet hair from a low-pile carpet (vacuum first).

6. Inflate a balloon

Inflate a balloon and rub it across the surface that has pet hair on it.

7. Use a fabric softener sheet

Use a fabric softener sheet to pick up pet hair. Or, lightly spray the affected surface with a mixture of fabric softener and water to "prep" the area before removing pet hair using other methods.

Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!

Martha Stewart Offers A Few More Suggestions:

1. Vacuum carpets several times a week

Do this with a vacuum cleaner that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

2. Use an electrostatic mop

Use an electrostatic mop on hardwood and other hard floors. This type of mop will be more efficient than a vacuum cleaner when removing pet hairs from your hard floor because it won’t blow excess hair around.

3. Use a tape roller on clothing.

Tape rollers are available in many stores, including pet stores.

4. Removing pet hair from upholstery

To clean dog hair from your couch and other upholstery,, use the upholstery tool that came with your vacuum cleaner, or try a hand vacuum with a motorized beater-bar attachment.

5. Also, try a lint brush.

By staying on top of pet hair and shedding, you can happily share your home with your cat, dog, or other pet. Our furry friends are well worth the effort, and COIT is always here to help.

FAQs

Q: How often should I vacuum to keep pet hair at bay?
A: Vacuuming at least twice a week is recommended for homes with pets, with more frequent cleaning during shedding seasons.

Q: What's the best way to remove dog hair from a velvet sofa?
A: For delicate fabrics like velvet, use a soft-bristled brush or a dry sponge to gently lift and collect the dog hair from the couch. 

Contact COIT for a professional cleaning!