If you're a pup parent, you probably wonder how to get dog hair off your couch on a daily basis – especially during the summer months when pets are molting more. I don't know about you, but my life seems like a never-ending list of cleaning!
Pet hair can settle into all sorts of surfaces, but one of the worst culprits is couches – particularly if they're made from fabric materials like velvet. While many of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair include special attachments for just this, professional cleaning expert Lexi Brown has a few other tricks up her sleeve for battling the fluff.
If you want to learn the easiest ways to remove pet hair from your furniture, as well as some clever tricks to prevent it from sticking in the first place, keep on reading. Lexi has shared her top tips below, learned over a decade as a cleaner.
How to get dog hair off your couch
1. Vacuuming
Best for: all materials
This might go without saying, but vacuuming regularly will give you the best chance of reducing fur buildup in your home. We highly recommend investing in a pet-specific model, which offers better suction power, specialized filtration systems, and special attachments to make things easier.
Lexi says, "Motorized pet tools help lift embedded hair out of the sofa fabric. Always go over the entire area using different tools. This makes it easier for strands to be dislodged."
2. Rubber gloves
Best for: leather
If you're looking for a cheap hack that won't cost you any money, the rubber glove trick is for you! Grab a pair of rubber gloves lying around the house, dampen them slightly with some water, and then rub them along the fabric in short strokes.
According to Lexi, gloves are a brilliant way to peel hair off fabric surfaces due to the friction and tackiness of the material. For flat surfaces, she also recommends squeegees (available on Amazon for under $10).
3. Pet hair rollers
Best for: woven fabrics
If you've never heard of a Chom Chom Roller, it's basically a lint roller – but better, and specifically made for pesky pet hairs. The design is completely reusable, with no adhesives or sticky tape, making it a great eco-friendly alternative. These devices can be used on all kinds of surfaces, from upholstery to carpets, and are relatively inexpensive, costing under $30 on Amazon.
Lexi says: "Chom Chom Rollers and lint rollers are ideal for daily maintenance. Furthermore, these are fabric-specific and eco-friendly, making them much better than other pet hair removers."
4. Anti-static or fabric softener mist
Best for: caked on fur
If you're still struggling to remove pet hair from your couch, Lexi suggests using an anti-static spray or fabric softener to reduce the static cling on the surface.
She recommends mixing one part fabric softener with three parts water, spritzing it on the couch, and then removing the fur with a cloth, towel, or vacuum afterwards.
5. Washable slipcovers
Best for: fabric couches
Minimal effort, maximum reward – putting washable slipcovers on your couch is an easy way to manage pet hair in your home. You can buy multiple sets, so you don’t even have to wait for one to finish washing.
Lexi says: "Slipcovers can be removed and cleaned, which is ideal for pets that shed a lot of fur.
How to prevent pet hair sticking to furniture
Cleaning pet hair can be time-consuming, so if you'd rather not have to deal with it in the first place, follow these prevention tips from Lexi:
1. Washable blankets: One of the best ways to protect your furniture is by using washable blankets (like these ones from Amazon) that can be tossed in the washing machine when they get grubby.
2. Tightly woven fabrics: It’s obviously unrealistic to replace your entire furniture set just to avoid pet hair, but if you’re in the market for a new couch, Lexi recommends choosing one made from tightly woven fabric, like leather or microfiber. She says, "They do not attract fur as much as textured substrates such as velvet or chenille."
3. Anti-static spray: Not only is anti-static spray great for removal, but it can also help with prevention by stopping more pet hair from clinging to surfaces.
4. Regular grooming: Remember to groom your pet regularly using the best dog brushes to reduce shedding – particularly in the summer months when molting is at its peak.
5. Provide plenty of pet beds: Try placing some comfortable dog beds around the house to encourage your pet to lie there instead.
Want more expert cleaning advice? Read how to get dog pee out of the carpet and how to cope with dog shedding
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
