🐾 How to Remove Pet Hair From Clothes and Furniture

You pull on a dark jumper, glance down, and it's already covered in hair. The sofa, the car seat and your good coat look much the same.

Below: quick ways to lift pet hair off clothes, sofas and car seats, two lesser-known tricks, and how to cut the shedding.

Where these rules came from

I walk about twenty regular dogs, and Bruce (terrier cross, sheds like it's his job) rides in my van daily. These eight rules were earned the hairy way.

Rule 1: Brush the dog, not the sofa

Brushed-out hair never reaches the cushions. The American Kennel Club says heavy shedders may need brushing several times a week, or daily when they're dropping coat.

• Short coats: a bristle brush or grooming glove. Against the grain first, then with it.
• Thick or double coats: a slicker brush to reach the undercoat. Do it outside — no bother.

Rule 2: Wet rubber gloves for the sofa

Dampen washing-up gloves and sweep across the cushions in one direction. The hair rolls into clumps you can pick off. Back and forth just pushes it back in. Finish with the vacuum's upholstery tool.

Rule 3: Squeegee the carpet and car mats

A rubber window squeegee dragged over carpet or car mats herds loose hair into a wee pile. Stubborn stuff needs Rule 4.

Rule 4: Pumice stone, fabric only

Hidden tip: a pumice stone pulls embedded hair out of car carpet and cloth seats. Vacuum first, drag the stone in short strokes one way, then vacuum again.

Fabric only — it scratches leather, vinyl and plastic. Try a hidden patch first. (Bruce's crate corner looks nearly new. Nearly.)

Rule 5: Dry before you wash

Hidden tip: tumble hairy clothes for about ten minutes on a no-heat cycle before washing. Bosch recommends it to loosen the hair, and the loose hair ends up in the lint filter instead of the washer.

Shake each item out before and after, then wash as normal.

A dryer sheet in the drum cuts the static that makes hair cling.

Rule 6: Clean the lint filter every time

The US Fire Administration says clean it before and after each drying cycle — lint build-up is a fire risk. Wipe the drum too, or the next load collects the hair.

Rule 7: Tape for anything you can't wash

No lint roller? Wrap sticky tape round your fingers, sticky side out, and dab.

Rule 8: Sudden extra shedding means a vet visit

The AKC says bald patches, irritated skin or a sudden jump in hair loss need a vet check — allergies and thyroid problems are possible causes.

My confession, and your copy

Rule 1 is the one I fail. Bruce usually gets brushed after he's shed half his coat in the van — pure mince, I know.

Pinch whichever suit your home. Only taking one? Pick Rule 5 — far less hair ever reaches the wash.

Cheat sheet: pet hair rules