How to Get Pet Hair Off of Any Surface

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Get rid of pesky dog and cat hair with these expert tips

Co-authored by Safir Ali and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 Fact Checked

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Removing from Clothes

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Furniture

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Floors

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Pet Hair Prevention

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You love your pets, but you probably don’t love their hair getting all over your clothes and couch. Whether you have cats, dogs, or other furry friends, shedding is inevitable, but luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to keep the surfaces in your home fur-free. We interviewed laundry, cleaning, and pet specialists to teach you the best ways to remove pet hair from your clothes , furniture , and floors , as well as how to prevent future issues.

Removing Pet Hair from Household Surfaces

Professional dry cleaner Safir Ali recommends using a lint roller or rolled-up tape to remove pet hair from clothes. Wipe down couches or other furniture with a damp rubber glove or a squeegee, and use a carpet rake or pumice stone on carpets and rugs. For wooden floors, sweep up hair with a microfiber mop.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes

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1
Run a lint roller over your clothes for a quick fix. Ali recommends using a lint roller to get pet hair off your clothes. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner

Expert Interview} Simply run the lint roller up and down your clothes; the hair will cling to its sticky surface. Don’t forget to get your backside, particularly your buttocks, as you can pick up hair from sitting on furniture. Go up and down your legs, as well. ^{[2]
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- Once the lint roller is covered in hair and no longer sticky, simply tear off the top layer so that it’s sticky again.
- There are also reusable lint removers that you rinse off between uses. Others have fibers that pick up the hair and place it in an included holder so it’s easy to discard.
- Keep a lint roller by your front door so you can give yourself a quick once-over before you leave the house.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Safir Ali is the co-founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup based in Houston, Texas. He has over 6 years of experience.

Jon Gholian is a cleaning specialist and the founder of Cleany, a home and office cleaning service based in New York City, New Jersey, and Miami.

Beverly Ulbrich is a dog behaviorist and trainer and the founder of The Pooch Coach, a private dog training business based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kamel Almani is a laundry and cleaning specialist and the co-owner of WashyWash, a toxin-free and eco-friendly laundry and dry cleaning service based in Amman, Jordan.
2
Run a piece of tape over your clothes if you don’t have a lint remover. Ali says you can use a piece of tape as an alternative to a lint roller. ^{[3]
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Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner

Expert Interview} Wrap the tape around your hand with the sticky side out, letting it overlap itself. Then, rub the sticky part over your clothes to remove excess pet hair. If you’re having trouble rubbing the tape on your clothes, pat it on them instead. ^{[4]
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- If the tape loses its stickiness, replace it with a new piece.
- Any tape will work, but since you likely want to cover a large area, it’s best to use bigger pieces, like duct tape.
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3
Put hair-covered clothes in the dryer before you wash them. If you wash your clothes without removing the hair first, Ali explains, “The chances of [the hair] remaining in the machine are high, and then the rest of your clothes will get pet hair on them.” ^{[5]
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Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner

Expert Interview} To help prevent this, set your dryer on cool and put your hair-covered clothes in it for 5-10 minutes. Most of the hair will come off and end up in the lint trap. ^{[6]
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- Add a dryer sheet or dryer ball to the load to help pull the hair off your clothes. Do this when you dry your clothes after washing them, as well.
- When you wash your clothes, use liquid fabric softener to help get the hair out. White vinegar also works if you prefer a natural option.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Remove Pet Hair from Furniture

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1
Vacuum most furniture with a handheld vacuum. Run a handheld vacuum back and forth over your furniture to pick up as much hair as you can. If you don’t have a handheld vacuum, use your regular vacuum’s hose attachment instead. This works well for most furniture, like couches and chairs, as well as cars . ^{[7]
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- For hard surfaces, it may be easier to simply brush the pet hair off.
2
Run a squeegee over microfiber furniture. To clean microfiber furniture , grab a clean, dry squeegee like the kind you use to dry windows. Place the rubber edge on the couch, chair, or other piece of furniture, and gently scoot it across the fabric. The rubber will collect the hair on the surface, making it easier to pick up. ^{[8]
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- Run a vacuum over it when you're done with the squeegee for easy cleanup.
- This will also work on carpet. For more carpet cleaning tricks, check out our “How to Remove Pet Hair from Carpets & Floors” section below!
3
Wipe down most fabric furniture with a damp rubber glove. Cleaning specialist Jon Gholian says you can use rubber gloves to attract pet hair. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Put on a fresh rubber cleaning glove, run it under the faucet, then shake off the excess water. Rub the glove lightly over the fabric to easily pick up pet hair. ^{[10]
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- If the glove gets clogged with hair, run it under water to clean it and begin again.
- You can also use a spray bottle to lightly spritz the glove.
- Dry rubber gloves can also remove pet hair.
4
Rub a dryer sheet over hard furniture. Wood, plastic, and laminate can also pick up cat and dog hair. While this is easier to clean up than fabric, pet hair can still cling to the surface. Wipe down the furniture with a clean dryer sheet from your laundry room to make picking up pet hair a breeze. ^{[11]
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- The dryer sheet has enough fabric softener in it to grab the hair. Plus, it will make your room smell fresh.
Grab a non-abrasive rag, such as a microfiber cloth, and lightly spray it with furniture polish . Run the polish over the wooden furniture to quickly pick up pet hair. ^{[12]
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6
Use a dry sponge to wipe pet hair off of curtains. Run the sponge down the curtain to gather up the hair. You may need to place a hand behind the curtain to hold it in place as you work. Collect the hair with your fingers to toss in the trash and pull any excess hair off the sponge to use it again. ^{[13]
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- Alternatively, vacuum the hair off the bottom of the curtain with a hose or hand vacuum.

Section 3 of 4:

How to Remove Pet Hair from Carpets & Floors

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1
Use a carpet rake on large carpeted areas. If pet hair is deeply embedded in your carpet, use a carpet rake to loosen and pull it up. Start at one end of the carpet and work your way to the other end, raking in all directions. This works well for large carpeted areas and will also pull up other dirt and debris to make vacuuming easier and more effective. ^{[14]
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- A rubber squeegee will also work. Rubber creates static electricity, so it will attract the hair.
- Carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh notes that certain rugs are more pet-friendly and easier to clean than others: “The ones that are easier to clean [are] mostly nylon and polyester. They’re easier to clean than wool and silk and cotton and all that.” ^{[15]
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  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
2
Rub a pumice stone over rugs or small areas of carpet. If you have stubborn hair on your rug or carpet, grab a clean pumice stone and run it back and forth over the area a few times. This will loosen and gather the pet hair so you can pick it up and dispose of it. ^{[16]
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- This works especially well on stairs.
- If you don’t have a pumice stone, a pet brush will also work.
3
Mist carpeted areas with a fabric softener solution. If the pet hair is really set in, mix 3 parts water with 1 part fabric softener in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture over the carpeted area until it’s slightly damp. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then run a vacuum cleaner over the carpet to pick up the hair. ^{[17]
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- The fabric softener helps release the pet hair from the carpet.
- This spray will also work on furniture, but test it in an inconspicuous area first.
4
Vacuum carpets with a pet vacuum. While regular vacuum cleaners will work, they’re more likely to get stopped up if there’s too much hair on the carpet. If your pets shed a lot, consider buying a pet vacuum . These come with special attachments and brushes specifically designed for tackling pet hair. ^{[18]
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- If you have a regular vacuum, be sure to remove as much hair as possible before using it.
- For stairs, use a handheld vacuum or hose attachment.
5
Run a microfiber or electrostatic mop over hardwood floors. Microfiber dry mops and electrostatic mops are ideal for picking up loose pet hair on hardwood floors. Sweep up and down the room to gather the hair. Then, pick it up with a dustpan and dispose of it. ^{[19]
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- Avoid vacuuming the hair on hardwood floors, as that tends to blow it around rather than pick it up.
- Rubber brooms are also effective at picking up pet hair from floors.
- If you have tile floors, Gholian says that using a damp mop “works great.” ^{[20]
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  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 4 of 4:

How to Prevent Pet Hair Problems

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1
Brush your pet daily or at least once a week. How often you need to brush your cat , dog , or other pet depends on their breed and fur. Groom long-haired pets or pets that shed a lot more often, as much as once per day. If your pet has shorter hair and doesn’t shed as much, brushing them once a week should suffice. This will help prevent the loose hair from floating around and sticking to your clothes and furniture. ^{[21]
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- If you have a dog with a very thick coat, licensed pet groomer Marie Lin says, “Brush in sections or layers. Once you complete one layer, move on to the next layer.” ^{[22]
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  Marie Lin
  Licensed Pet Groomer
  
  Expert Interview}
- It’s also a good idea to have your pet professionally groomed every 4-6 weeks.
2
Wash your pet’s bedding weekly. Gholian recommends washing your pet’s bedding weekly. ^{[23]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} This includes actual pet beds as well as any blankets or pillows they may sleep on. Like your clothes, try to remove as much of the hair as possible before putting the bedding in the washing machine. Do this with a lint roller or by sticking the bedding in the dryer with a dryer sheet for 5-10 minutes.
- Washing your pet’s bedding regularly will also help remove pet odors from your home.
- Gholian also suggests purchasing a pet bed with removable covering to make washing easier. ^{[24]
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  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview}
3

Use dryer sheets when you do the laundry. Dryer sheets and dryer balls help reduce static cling on your laundry, reducing their chances of picking up pet hair. Use dryer sheets every time you dry your clothes to eliminate hair that’s already on them and keep them hair-free for a longer period of time. Remember to clean the captured hair out of your lint trap! ^{[25]
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4
Keep your furniture covered. Whether you allow your pets on your furniture or not, their hair will still stick to it if it’s uncovered. To avoid having to clean them as frequently, cover your couch and chairs with pet-proof covers . If you like letting your pets on the couch, dog behaviorist and trainer Beverly Ulbrich says, “Get a blanket or a towel that is designated for your [pet].” Only let them sit on the couch if they’re on that blanket, and soon they’ll understand where they are and aren’t allowed to sit. ^{[26]
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Expert Source

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer

Expert Interview}
- If you want to keep your pets off your furniture altogether, Ulbrich explains, “Make sure all the family members and friends are on the same page about the rules, and then you can enforce them.” If some people allow the pet on the couch while others do not, it will confuse the animal, and it will keep trying to get on the couch whether it’s allowed or not. ^{[27]
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  Beverly Ulbrich
  Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
  
  Expert Interview}
- It can be a bit more difficult to keep cats off furniture than dogs. Certified feline training and behavior specialist Molly DeVoss says if you’re trying to keep a cat off the counter, for example, “You have to show it what you want it to do instead. In this case, putting a cat tree or climbing opportunity near the counter might help. Often, cats jumping on counters and work surfaces are trying to be near you, so make sure you are spending enough quality time with your cat.” ^{[28]
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  Molly DeVoss
  Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant
  
  Expert Interview}
5

Get an air purifier. Gholian suggests buying an air purifier and changing the filter regularly. ^{[29]
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Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Air purifiers capture pet hair, dander, and other small particles in the air to keep your home’s air fresh and clean. This will help keep new hairs from landing on surfaces, but it won’t remove the hair that’s already stuck.
6

Spray your clothes and furniture with antistatic spray. Pet hair sticks to clothes and fabrics due to static electricity. To help prevent this, spray your clothes and furniture with an antistatic spray . ^{[30]
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Research source} For clothes specifically, laundry and cleaning specialist Kamel Almani adds, “Use a liquid fabric softener with antistatic properties. Hang to dry instead of using tumble dryers.” ^{[31]
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Expert Source

Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview}

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What's the best way to get pet hair off of clothing?

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner
Safir Ali is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup in Houston, Texas reinventing the laundry industry. With over six years of experience launching and operating Hamper, Safir specializes in innovative ways to simplify dry cleaning using the experience from his family's business. Safir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas A&M University. Hamper offers 24/7 on-demand dry cleaning and laundry through delivery and kiosk services. Hamper has been featured on the Houston Rockets, Station Houston, the Houston Business Journal, BBVA, Yahoo Finance, and Innovation Map.

Safir Ali

Professional Dry Cleaner

Expert Answer

You can remove pet hair with a lint roller, or you can even use packing tape or any sort of tape that you can wrap around your hand inside-out. Run the lint roller or tape over your clothes to pick up pet hair that's stuck to them.

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Can I brush a cat to reduce shedding?

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Yes! This will reduce the amount of fur that a cat sheds and prevent the fur from sticking to clothes and furniture.

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How do I remove cat hair from my shoes?

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The latex glove method. It works perfectly. Just rub the shoe down with your hands in the glove. The hair comes completely off.

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Run your washing machine through a rinse cycle if you see hair inside the machine after washing a load with lots of pet hair. ^{[32]
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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Brush your dog gently and often to reduce shedding. Don’t bathe your dog more than once a month, or you could dry out its skin and cause more shedding.
Use a motorized brush roll attachment on your vacuum cleaner when cleaning up pet hair from upholstered furniture, car seats, and carpeted stairs.
Rub the area with thick latex gloves that have bumpy ridges on the palms.

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[1]

Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

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Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

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[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

Marie Lin
Licensed Pet Groomer

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer

[27]

[28]

Molly DeVoss
Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

[29]

[30]

[31]

Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

[32]

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How to Get Pet Hair Off of Any Surface

Removing Pet Hair from Household Surfaces

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How to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes

How to Remove Pet Hair from Furniture

How to Remove Pet Hair from Carpets & Floors

How to Prevent Pet Hair Problems

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