HOW TO GET RID OF DOG AND CAT HAIR EVERYWHERE
You’re not alone if you struggle to keep pet hair at bay in your house, on your clothes or in your car. Fortunately, tools, techniques and even specialized laundry machines can help you control the amount of pet hair in your environment. Whether youʼre dealing with shedding cats or dogs, use this guide to help keep your home clean and nearly fur-free.
9 WAYS TO REMOVE DOG AND CAT HAIR FROM YOUR HOME
It can be hard to ignore the evidence of a shedding pet, but there are steps you can take to reduce the pet hair on your clothing, floors and furniture. Use the tips below to help keep your family and furry friends comfortable at home.
1. REMOVE PET HAIR FROM CLOTHES
Pet hair that sticks around on your clothing or in your laundry machines can keep recirculating throughout the house, building on the problem. One of the best ways to collect and get rid of hair once and for all is using a specialized laundry pair like Maytag® washer and dryers with the Pet Pro System.
The built-in Pet Pro Filter in the washer removes 5x more pet hair,1 while the XL lint trap in the dryer traps and removes additional pet hair. This pair is designed to help keep your clothes from hanging on to pesky hair after the wash.
2. GROOM AND BATHE YOUR DOG/CAT
Regular grooming and/or bathing can help reduce the amount of hair your pets release into your home. Depending on your furry friend’s coat, brush your pet every day using a high-quality pet brush to remove loose fur before it falls out. You should also aim to bathe your dog regularly to help remove loose fur. This can also help keep pet odors under control.
3. CLEAN BEDDING
Wash your petʼs bed frequently to remove pet hair and dander. You can also use a pet hair remover tool or a lint roller to help you get rid of dog hair from your pet’s toys and bed. If you have a washer with the Maytag® Pet Pro System, skip the lint roller and toss the bedding cover or washer-safe dog toys directly into the washer drum for the Pet Pro Filter to tackle seamlessly.
4. KEEP PET HAIR REMOVAL TOOLS HANDY
Have a few pet hair removal tools on hand, such as a lint roller, rubber gloves or a pet hair removal brush. Use them frequently to remove dog and cat hair from clothing, furniture and other surfaces.
5. GIVE YOUR PET DESIGNATED SLEEPING AREAS
Keep your pet’s sleeping areas limited to certain areas of your home. This will help to reduce the amount of hair that gets spread throughout your home.
6. PUT CLEAN CLOTHING AWAY
When folding clean laundry, avoid leaving it in piles on the floor or bed where your pet may lie on it. Instead, put clothing away in a closet or drawer to help prevent pet hair from accumulating on them.
7. WALK AND EXERCISE YOUR DOG
Regular exercise and walks can help to keep your dog healthy and reduce stress, which can also reduce the amount of shedding.
8. TAKE YOUR DOG/CAT TO REGULAR VET APPOINTMENTS
Regular visits to the vet can help to ensure that your pet is healthy and not experiencing any underlying health issues that may cause excessive shedding.
9. USE AN AIR PURIFIER
Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) can help to remove pet hair and dander from the air, improving air quality in your home. Make sure to check the product details for your air purifier.
HOW DO I REMOVE DOG HAIR FROM A CAR?
Keeping pet hair out of your car starts with prevention. Lay down a blanket for your dog or cat to sit on during trips, then clean the blanket using the Maytag® Pet Pro washer.
With the blanket loaded, select the Pet Pro option that unleashes additional water and a deep rinse to activate the built-in Pet Pro Filter, which lifts and captures pet hair from the bedding. Then, use the Pet Pro option on a Maytag® Pet Pro dryer that uses a no-heat, extended dry time to lift pet hair from clothes and capture it in the XL lint trap.
If hair finds its way onto your car’s seats and floor, remove it using a vacuum with a pet hair attachment or a lint roller to pick up the larger clumps. Then, spray a mix of water and fabric softener on cloth seats and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Use a squeegee or rubber glove to remove smaller hairs.
HOW DO I GET PET HAIR OUT OF LAUNDRY?
Pet hair in your clothes can be bothersome, but it can also cause problems in your washer or dryer if left unchecked. Without a specialized laundry set engineered for people with pets—like those with the Maytag® Pet Pro System—pet hair on clothes can transfer to the washer or dryer during cleaning cycles and may impact your machines’ performance over time. See the steps below to learn how to get pet hair out of your clothes and machines.
STEP 1: REMOVE HAIR BY HAND
You can skip this step if you’re using a Maytag® Pet Pro washer, but it’s best to remove as much pet hair as possible before putting clothing in a standard washing machine. Shake out clothing with pet hair outside, then use a lint roller to remove as much hair as you can before moving to the next step.
STEP 2: DRY, WASH, THEN DRY
If using a standard washing machine, put clothes in the dryer first to tumble on a no-heat setting. This can help loosen pet hair and collect some in the lint trap before clothes go into the washer. The Maytag® Pet Pro washer includes a built-in Pet Pro Filter that removes 5x more pet hair1, so there’s no need to dry clothing before washing.
Once clothes finish tumbling in the dryer, wash and dry clothes as you normally would.
STEP 3: CLEAN OUT MACHINES
Cleaning out Maytag® washers and dryers with the Pet Pro System is as simple as lifting the Pet Pro filter and removing the collected hair clump from the base, or clearing out the extra large lint trap in the dryer. Cleaning out washers without a uniquely engineered pet hair system requires a bit more elbow grease.
Start by letting the washer lid sit open for 24 hours, then use a vacuum with the crevice attachment to collect dried clumps of hair. Wipe the washer down with a damp cloth and run a rinse cycle using half a cup of vinegar (if your owner’s manual says it’s safe to use in your machine). Finish the cleaning process by adding an affresh® washing machine cleaner tablet2 to the bottom of the tub to clean your washer.
HOW DO I HELP KEEP MY HOUSE DOG OR CAT HAIR-FREE?
To help keep your house free of dog or cat hair, here are some additional tips:
If you haven’t yet, invest in a uniquely engineered laundry pair like the Maytag® Pet Pro washer and dryer to collect pet hair from clothes and help prevent it from recirculating around your home.
Consider switching carpet flooring to hardwood, which can be easier to clean.
Swap out velvet sofa covers for leather, which is more resistant to pet hair and easier to wipe clean.
Use a high-quality vacuum with a pet hair attachment and dust surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
Clean your air ducts and replace air filters regularly to help prevent pet hair from spreading around your home.
SHOP MAYTAG® WASHERS & DRYERS
Maytag® washers and dryers are packed with powerful cleaning features and durable parts so you can clean up after your furry friends for years to come. Select laundry pairs feature the Maytag® Pet Pro System designed to conquer pet hair.
These washers feature a Pet Pro filter that’s built to remove 5x more pet hair,1 pairing it with additional water and a deep rinse to lift and capture pet hair from clothes.
Maytag® dryers with the Pet Pro option use a no-heat, extended dry time to lift pet hair from clothes, capturing it in the XL lint trap.
EXPLORE MORE PET LAUNDRY TIPS WITH MAYTAG brand
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1. Comparing Normal cycle with Pet Pro Filter and option to cycle using traditional agitator without Pet Pro Filter and option. Results will vary based on fabric and type of pet hair.
2. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
