Having pets brings a lot of joy into our homes. However, with that joy often comes a lot of pet hair embedded deep in our carpets. Getting pet hair out of carpets can be a frustrating and tedious task. But there are ways to make it easier. Here, we will go over the top 10 tips to remove pet hair from carpets.
10 Effective Tips to Remove Pet Hair From Carpet
1. Vacuum Frequently
The most basic step is to vacuum your carpets frequently, at least twice a week. This will prevent excess buildup of hair before it gets matted into the shaggy carpet fibers. Invest in a quality vacuum made specifically for pets that is strong enough to pull hair out from deep within the carpet piles.
2. Use a Rubber Brush or Grooming Glove
Using a grooming glove, rubber pet hair removal brush, or rubber squeegee makes it easy to gather loose hair. Simply glide these tools across your carpet in light strokes. The rubber will cause static electricity and attract hair in piles that can easily be disposed of.
3. Attach Carpet Rakes to Shoes
Carpet rakes are tools you can clip onto shoes that will rake up pet hair as you walk across your carpets. This makes quick work even in high-traffic areas. They work similarly to lint rollers, gathering stray fur in the bristles as you go about your regular walking paths.
4. Spot Clean with Cleaning Solution
When you notice excess matted clumps of fur or concentrated areas of shedding, spot clean using an enzymatic cleaner made for pets. Spray it on, let it soak for 10 minutes, then blot and rub it with a microfiber cloth. The chemicals will dissolve hair on a molecular level, separating it from carpet fibers.
5. Lint Roll the Surface
For quick daily touch-ups, nothing beats running a sticky lint roller across your carpet’s surface. It’s great for gathering stray bits of fluff in between deeper cleanings. You can get ones with disposable damp sheets or reusable fabric ones that can be washed.
6. Use a Carpet Comb
Similar to a large wire pet comb, carpet combs have rows of narrowly spaced metal tines. Running this through carpets gathers all the loose hairs into neat furrows for easy removal with a vacuum. It helps prevent tightly wound hair from getting more embedded.
7. Apply Borax Powder
Sprinkling borax powder to loosen old, stuck-on hair by making it brittle. Let it sit for an hour before running a vacuum across it to suck it all up. The abrasive texture of the powder also helps agitate the fibers. Just make sure to vacuum again afterward to get all the residue thoroughly.
8. Make a Homemade Carpet Cleaner
To get things clean, mix white vinegar, water, fabric detergent, and some essential oils. Because vinegar is acidic, it breaks down strands, and softener makes carpet fibers slippery. Oils can break down proteins. Put in some work and a hard-bristled brush!
9. Call the Professionals
Sometimes, DIY methods aren’t enough for seriously embedded pet hair situations. Professional carpet cleaning services have industrial suction vacuums and can steam clean using pressurized hot water. Their chemicals are stronger, too. Just make sure they’re pet-friendly products.
10. Consider Low-Pile Carpets
While not an instant fix, choosing low-pile tight-weave carpets or rugs makes maintenance much less effort. Hair doesn’t sink into plush carpets over time. Smooth, flat weave fabrics let you simply sweep off hair. Smaller rugs can be taken outside and shaken out.
Specialty Cleaning Tools For Removing Pet Hair From Carpet
There are some specialty tools made specifically for removing pet hair from carpets that make the job much easier.
Pet Hair Sticky Rollers
- Like giant lint rollers
- Come in wide rolls up to 15 inches
- Adhesive strips grab hair
- Disposable sheets
- Reusable sticky fabric can be washed
Rubber Pet Hair Removal Brushes
- Rubber or silicone bristles
- Use static electricity
- Attracts hair from carpets
- Built-in receptacle collects fur
- Some are motorized/cordless
Pet Hair Vacuums
- Special nozzles and brushes
- Powerful motors and suction
- Canister, upright, handheld
- Attachments for stairs, furniture
- Some have heating features
Grooming Hand Gloves
- Rubber nubs all over
- Slip on like a glove
- Reaches into carpet piles
- Great for furniture
- Machine washable
Squeeze Head Cleaning Mops
- Triangular rubber flap head
- Slight dampness lifts hair
- Removes strands from the base
- Clean brushes easily
- Zigzag methodical passes
Having the right specialty cleaning supplies makes removing pet hair much less tedious. They effectively latch onto hair and pull it fully out of carpet fibers rather than just moving across the surface. Investing in quality pet hair removal tools leads to faster cleaning, so you can stay on top of fur messes.
Conclusion
Getting rid of layers of pet hair from flooring is hard, but you can do it by following the 10 tips to remove pet hair from carpets. If you use these helpful tips and put in a little work every once in a while, your floors will be clean and look great for everyone, even your pets. If you take good care of your rugs, they will last a long time, even if your pets shed a lot.
