How to Remove Pet Hair from Laundry

Pet hair can be a persistent and frustrating laundry day adversary. However, with the right approach, it’s possible to significantly reduce its presence in your clothing.

Pre-Wash Preparation

• Thorough Grooming: Regular brushing of your pet is essential to minimise shedding. Invest in a brush suitable for your pet’s coat type and groom them frequently.
• Shake It Out: Before tossing items into the washing machine, give them a good shake outside or over a bin to remove loose hair.
• Lint Rollers and Tape: Use a lint roller or sticky tape to remove surface hair from garments. For delicate fabrics, a soft brush can be gently used.
• Pet-Free Zones: Designating specific areas of your home as pet-free zones, such as bedrooms and laundry rooms, can help to reduce hair transfer.

Washing Wisdom

• Temperature Control: Opt for a cold water wash. Hot water can set pet hair into the fabric, making it more difficult to remove.
• Vinegar Power: Adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse can help to dissolve and release pet hair. It also acts as a natural fabric softener.
• Hair-Trapping Tools: Consider using laundry balls or sheets specifically designed to capture pet hair. These can be particularly helpful for heavy shedders.
• Double Rinse: For stubborn hair, an extra rinse cycle can help to ensure thorough removal.
• Detergent Choice: While any good quality detergent will work, some people find that using a detergent specifically designed for pet owners can be beneficial.

Drying and Finishing Touches

• Dryer Efficiency: Using a dryer sheet can help to reduce static, which attracts pet hair. Clean the lint trap thoroughly after each load.
• Air Drying: For delicate items or to avoid setting pet hair, air drying is a good option.
• Fabric Softener: Using a fabric softener can help to reduce static and leave your clothes feeling soft.

Tackling Specific Fabric Challenges

• Woollen Items: For woollen garments, use a gentle wool detergent and a cold water wash. Avoid tumble drying as this can shrink and felt the wool.
• Synthetic Fabrics: These can often attract pet hair. Use a fabric softener to reduce static and a lint roller before and after drying.
• Cotton: Cotton is generally easy to clean, but for stubborn hair, try a mixture of water and white vinegar as a pre-wash soak.

Additional steps for best results

• Rubber Gloves: Damp rubber gloves can effectively remove pet hair from fabrics.
• Pumice Stone: For stubborn hair on items like jumpers, gently rub with a pumice stone.
• Washing Machine Maintenance: Regularly clean your washing machine to prevent hair build-up. Pay particular attention to the rubber seals and filter.
• Use a laundry service: A professional laundry service can potentially clean your items much more thoroughly than you may be able to.

By following these tips and experimenting with different methods, you can significantly reduce the battle with pet hair and enjoy fresher, cleaner laundry. Remember, consistency is key.

Can a laundry service clean pet hair from my clothes?

While many laundry services offer a high standard of cleaning, removing pet hair completely can be a challenge. While they have industrial washing machines equipped to handle heavy-duty cleaning, pet hair, especially in large quantities, can be persistent. Factors such as the type of fabric, the amount of hair, and the service’s specific cleaning process can influence their ability to remove it entirely.

It’s generally recommended to pre-treat items at home by removing as much pet hair as possible using lint rollers, brushes, or sticky tape before sending them to the laundry service. This can significantly reduce the workload for the service and increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome.

If you have a pet that sheds excessively or if pet hair is a persistent problem on your clothes, you might find that regular home laundering, combined with specific pet hair removal techniques, is the most effective solution. However, for occasional or less severe pet hair issues, a laundry service can still be a convenient option.

Ultimately, the best approach depends on the severity of the pet hair problem and your personal preferences.

Booking a laundry service