10 Easy Ways to Get Pet Hair Out of Laundry

As pet owners know all too well, keeping fur under control, especially if your pet is a high-shed breed or sheds seasonally, requires a comprehensive approach. A combination of regular grooming, frequent vacuuming of floors, furniture, and your pet's bedding can help minimize the amount of hair in your home and on launderable items. 

Even on wash day, despite being a diligent pet groomer and housekeeper, you'll likely find fur on clothes, sheets, towels, and more. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove pet hair from laundry without adding a lot of extra work. Keep reading for our best tips on washing fur-covered clothes and the pet hair removers that help trap hair, leaving your laundry clean and fur-free.

1. Shake Fabric Before Washing

One of the simplest ways to remove loose pet hair is by shaking the items out before loading the washing machine. Of course, this can leave hair all over your laundry room, so it may be best for those who have easy access to outdoor space. If you must shake out fur-covered clothes and linens indoors, use a rubber broom or a pet hair vacuum to keep the room fur-free.

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2. Use the 'Dry, Wash, and Dry' Method

On wash day, the typical routine is: put laundry in the washer, then transfer it to the dryer, line, or rack to dry. But changing up this routine can be key to eliminating pet hair effectively. Instead of placing laundry directly into the washer, put it in the dryer first. Starting with a short no-heat tumble dry cycle helps to loosen pet hair, which the dryer's lint screen will catch for easy removal.

3. Try a Hair-Removing Roller

Before loading fur-covered items into the washer, use a hair-removing roller to pick up loose hair. We particularly like the ChomChom Pet Hair Remover, which uses an electrostatic charge to attract pet hair, quickly lifting it off fabrics. This affordable pet hair remover is reusable, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional sticky rollers. For those who prefer sticky rollers with disposable sheets, opt for extra-sticky ones like Evercare PetLovers Extra Sticky Lint Roller, or oversized rollers like Scotch-Brite 50% Stickier Large Surface Lint Roller, which are ideal for larger items like comforters and blankets. 

4. Use the Rubber Glove Trick

Rubber products, such as brooms and grooming tools, are effective at cleaning up pet hair because rubber dislodges and traps fur on various surfaces. Running a rubber glove over fabrics covered in pet hair has a similar effect, quickly picking up loose hair from clothing and other textiles. Keep a pair of rubber gloves near your hamper or washing machine for easy access, and use them to give furry clothes a quick swipe before washing. This is also a great way to repurpose rubber gloves that may have minor holes or punctures.

5. Pick Up Fur with Damp Microfiber

Microfiber cloths have multiple uses, including picking up loose pet hair from fabric. Dampen the microfiber cloth for the best results; wet it, then wring it out well so it isn't dripping. Wipe the fur-covered fabric in a straight line from top to bottom, discarding the fur as you go and rinsing out the cloth as necessary.

6. Try an In-Wash Hair Catcher

Hair catchers designed for use in washing machines, like FurZapper or FurBall, can help reduce pet hair on clothes, sheets, and towels. These products work by circulating with your laundry, grabbing onto pet hair and pulling it from the fabric. For best results, avoid overstuffing the drum so the hair catcher has room to move, and don't use fabric softeners with them as this can lessen their effectiveness.

7. Use Fabric Softener

Both liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets can help remove pet hair during the wash and dry cycles. Fabric softeners are formulated to reduce static cling, which helps loosen pet hair from fabrics. However, liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets should not be used with certain materials like terry cloth, fleece, or performance gear with stretch or moisture-wicking elements. 

Distilled white vinegar is a popular alternative to fabric softener that can generally be used on most fabrics to loosen and remove pet hair. However, experts advise against the overuse of vinegar in washers, as prolonged exposure can cause rubber parts like gaskets and hoses to deteriorate. 

8. Give Dryer Balls a Whirl

Dryer balls are an alternative to liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets as they help dry laundry faster by improving air circulation in the drum and reducing static. Wool dryer balls are particularly effective at capturing fur through an electrostatic charge that attracts and traps pet hair. Spraying wool dryer balls with water before putting them in the dryer can enhance their fur-capturing abilities. To keep wool dryer balls clean, use a toothbrush to gently brush away collected fur.

9. Utilize Pre-Wash, Heavy-Duty, High Spin, and Extra Rinse Cycles

Taking advantage of your washer's specialty settings can help eliminate pet hair from clothes and household items. The pre-wash setting will loosen pet hair from fabric before the main wash cycle begins. Heavy-duty and high-spin speed cycles can also help dislodge fur, and using the extra rinse cycle ensures that fur is thoroughly washed away. Always check the care tag to ensure these settings won't damage your fabrics. 

10. Clean Machines Regularly

Keeping your washer and dryer clean is especially crucial for households with shedding pets. Pet hair builds up quickly, clogging filters and reducing the effectiveness of these appliances.

Most washing machines have a filter that traps hair, lint, and other debris. Make sure to clean the washing machine's filter regularly to prevent pet hair build-up; for households with heavy shedding pets, aim to clean the washer filter once a month.

Dryers also need regular cleaning to function properly and safely. Clean the lint screen after every use to reduce the debris passing through it. Additionally, deep clean your dryer's vent regularly to ensure optimal performance and prevent dryer fires. Dryer vents should be cleaned at least once a year, but households with pets should do so two to four times a year. Signs that your dryer vent needs cleaning include a burning smell during operation, the unit becoming hot to the touch, laundry coming out hotter than usual, or taking longer to dry.