If you have a dog or a cat, you know what it’s like to have pet hair get into every nook and cranny. It sticks to everything and seems to grow overnight. No matter how much you love your furry friend, you can’t deny that it’s difficult to keep your home clean and free of hair.
If you have the right habits, tools, and plans, taking care of pet hair doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job. Here, you’ll find some smart cleaning tips that will help you stay ahead of the mess, no matter if you’re fighting tumbleweeds of fur or trying to get rid of the fur on your couch before guests arrive.
Why is There So Much Hair?
It’s not just in your imagination, your pet loses a ton of hair. Most cats and dogs shed their fur naturally to keep their bodies at the right temperature, especially when the seasons change. But some breeds shed more than others. Huskies, retrievers, and German shepherds are all known for shedding a lot, while poodles and some terriers shed very little.
The age, diet, and health of your pet also affect how much they should. If the shedding seems too much, take them to the vet to see if they have any skin problems or a lack of nutrients. But for most healthy pets, shedding is just a part of life. This means that there is no way to stop it; you’ll just have to find ways to deal with it.
Grooming
Try to control the hair at the source. Regular grooming will help make your pet look great and also cut down on shedding around the house.
Try to brush your pet every day or a week. Depending on the type of coat your pet has, use a slicker brush, anti-shedding tool, or a rubber grooming glove. You can also bathe your pet often. A good bath gets rid of loose hair and dander, especially if you follow it up with a good brushing.
You can also try taking your pet to a professional groomer. A groomer can help thin out the undercoat safely, especially for breeds with thick coats or during times when they shed a lot. It’s also a good idea to groom your pet outside or on a tiled floor so that it’s easier to clean up. After your grooming session, keep a lint roller close by for your own clothes.
Flooring Tips
Try to get rid of hair before it gets stuck. Pet hair will stick to floors quickly, especially on rugs, carpets, and other rough surfaces. To keep the hair off your floors, you’ll need to use different methods on different types of floors.
Vacuuming often is a great way to keep up with the hair on your floors. Get a vacuum that is made just for pet hair. These kinds of vacuums usually have strong suction and special filters that catch dander. You can use a rubber broom or squeegee on carpets. Pulling the rubber edge across the carpet pulls up hair better than a regular broom.
Put in the effort for your hardwood floors. An extra tip for vacuuming is to sprinkle baking soda on your carpets. It makes for a list and smells better at the same time.
Fixing Furniture
Pet for sticks to soft surfaces. Upholstered furniture is one of the worst places for pet hair to build up, but there are a lot of ways to keep this from happening. Try using furniture covers that can be washed. Slip covers are easy to take off and wash, which is a great option for pet owners. You can also try the rubber glove trick, lightly dampen a rubber glove and run your hand over the fabric together, the pet hair, and clumps.
Keep lint rollers and pet hair removal tools nearby; this way, they’re available when you need them quickly. If you’re having company over, these are quick fixes to remove for, or great for your daily routine. Make sure you’re choosing fabrics that are safe for your pet. Leather, fox, leather, and tightly woven fabrics will keep hair away better than suede or velvet. A great idea to keep in mind when it comes to your furniture is to make the chair that your pet likes the most, the easiest piece of furniture to clean.
How to do Laundry
No one wants to wear her, unless they’re the one shedding it, pet hair, sticks to clothes, blankets, and bedding. But some laundry tricks can help.
Before washing, shake things out. Go outside and shake out blankets and clothes to get rid of loose fur before putting them in the washer. Using dryer sheets or wool balls is another great way to collect pet hair during your washing cycle.
Make sure to clean the lint trap of your dryer often. Pet hair builds up quickly, checking the lint filter after every load will keep it from building up. You can also try adding a rinse cycle to your laundry; an extra rinse can help get more hair if it’s really stuck.
Air Quality
Pet and dander don’t just fall; they float. It’s important to keep the air in your home clean to cut down on a lot of floating hair and other allergens. You can get a HEPA air purifier. These are great for homes with pets, especially if someone in the house has allergies. Make sure to change the filters in your HVAC system often. When you’re buying your filters, find ones that say, pet friendly, or are rated for catching allergens.
Some other smart things you can do are dusting your ceiling, fans, and vents, which can spread pet hair and dander around your home. When the air in your house is cleaner, there’s less fur floating around, and people will be sneezing less.
Set Limits
You can keep the mask to a minimum by limiting access. You might not want to keep your pet off the furniture or out of the bedroom, but making certain areas pet-friendly can make cleaning easier.
You can use baby gates or pet gates to keep your pets out of rooms with a lot of fabric or carpet. Try making a cozy corner for your pet where they feel at home. A place with a washable bed, toys, and food bowls helps keep the mess in one spot. Also, wipe their paws and coats. Keep towels by the door to catch dirt and shed hair from outside before I get inside. Setting limits with your pet doesn’t mean you love them less; it means you’re being smarter about cleaning.
Daily Habits
Being consistent is important. Managing pet hair is easiest when you do it every day. Having a few small habits in your routine can make a big difference. Try brushing your pets before you walk or play with them. Then vacuum areas that get a lot of foot traffic every day. You can keep lint rollers and furniture covers close by. Doing laundry in small and regular loads, is another great way to keep up with the mess.
The trick to keeping fur in your home from building up is to do a little bit every day, instead of letting it become overwhelming.
Conclusion
If you have pets, you have to deal with some fur, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to it. It is possible to have the best of both worlds: a happy pet and a clean, comfortable home. You can achieve this by using smart cleaning tools and sticking to a few simple habits.
Pet hair might come with the package, but it doesn’t have to be the main event if you use these tips. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, grab that lint roller, and embrace the fluff with confidence and control.
