How to get pet hairs out of your carpet

Pet fur can become a real pest when it’s all over your home. It can make the place feel dirty as carpet fibres can trap in the pet hair, making it difficult to clean with a standard vacuum cleaner. 

So, we’ve put together 9 different methods for removing cat and dog hair from your carpets that are really easy to follow. But, before you get started, you should consult the care and maintenance guide for your specific carpet. In this carpet cleaning guide, we’ll cover:

• What type of carpet is best for pets?
• Hypoallergenic pets to avoid cleaning pet hair
• How to prevent a build-up of pet hair
• The 9 best methods for cleaning pet hair

What type of carpet is best for pets?

Polypropylene is the best material for pets, and cut pile carpets have the best construction for repelling fur. You’ll find plenty of options in our Everyday Home range that are stain resistant, easy to clean and maintain a comfortable feel. If you’ve not yet bought a pet-friendly carpet, you can learn more about the best fit for your home here.

Hypoallergenic pets to avoid cleaning pet hair

The most hypoallergenic dogs include Poodles and Poodle mixes, Bichon Frise, Bedlington Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels, to name a few, as they produce fewer allergens than other breeds. You’ll also find Siberian Cats, Russian Blue and Balinese cats are hypoallergenic and so less prone to shedding their fur.

How to prevent a build-up of pet hair

Regular vacuuming is the best way to prevent pet hair from becoming embedded in carpet fibres. You can also spray a carpet protector once you’ve vacuumed to stop pet hair from building up again.

The 9 best methods for cleaning pet hair

Lint rollers

Reusable dog hair removers, or lint rollers, are great for removing dog hair and stubborn cat fur. Sticky lint rollers with long handles are particularly effective for reaching under the sofa to drag pet fur from the carpet fibres.

Carpet rake

Carpet rakes have rubber bristles so they are unlikely to damage your carpet fibres. Simply run the rake over the carpet, bristles facing down, to remove even the toughest of pet fur embedded within. However, this is not suitable for twist or loop pile carpets as it can make them look fluffy and tatty.

Fabric softener 

Combine part water and part fabric softener in a spray bottle and spray your carpet where pet hair has built up. Make sure to spray lightly and avoid soaking your carpet then once it’s dried, brush or vacuum the fur.

Dog brush

If you’ve got a cat or dog with long fur, it’s likely that you have a pet brush to keep their fur tidy. You can also use the brush to get fur out of your carpet by lightly running it over the fabric- but be careful not to let it snag.

Squeegee

Much like a brush, a rubber squeegee has proved to be successful in removing pet hair. Run the squeegee over the carpet and it will lift the fur right up – you don’t even need to wet it.

Baking soda

The baking soda method can help to loosen pet hair from the carpet. Sprinkle it all over your carpet where pet hair has built up and leave it to settle for around 5 minutes. After that, you can vacuum over the area and the pet hair should lift with ease.

Rubber glove

Rubber gloves can lift pet hair out of your carpet with ease. Simply wet the gloves first and rub your hand over the carpet or rug you want to remove hair from in short strokes.

Pet hair vacuum cleaner

Sometimes an ordinary vacuum cleaner just isn’t strong enough. Pet hair vacuum cleaners are a great choice for homes with pets as they are better at handling pet hair and are less likely to get clogged up or become damaged by it. They are a great investment.

Professional cleaning

If all else fails and you’ve tried everything to get pet hair out of your carpet, or you simply don’t have the time or energy to tackle the task yourself, you can always hire a professional cleaner. 

Your pet might be your best friend, but they can also cause your carpets and furniture to look messy and worn, if not maintained properly. Choosing the right carpet for homes with pets can make maintaining it easier in the long run. You can find more tips on how to maintain your carpet, like how to get smells out, in our blog.