Whether you have a majestic, long-haired Persian cat or a glorious labrador retriever with coveted shiny fur, cleaning up their hair is most likely the bane of your existence. The fur will probably get on everything in the house: your clothes, blankets, pillows, even your kitchen appliances, and it might eventually find its way into your food. Constant cleaning seems to be in the cards for every pet owner, regardless of what kind of pet they have. However, as anyone who loves the company of domesticated animals will tell you, this is a small price to pay for their companionship. If you’re one of the many pet owners out there, you are probably eager to learn new ways of easily getting rid of your pet’s hair, and we are here to help you out. Here is a helpful primer that can make your life a little easier.
It’s All About the Grooming
To prevent your pet’s fur from getting all over the place, you need to start with “patient zero” – your pet. He or she will need to be groomed every so often so that you can wipe away unwieldy mats and grab extra fur before it gets all over you or your home. If you hate doing this, you can try to do it outside, and wear a mask if you don’t want the fur flying into your mouth as you work. Also, be sure to get the proper tools, depending on whether or not you have a long-haired or short-haired pup or cat. Long-haired pets will need a brush that contains several silicon teeth or pins in it to grab a hold of all the loose fur that gets caught in their bodies – before it falls on the floor. These tools are also especially helpful in removing matted fur as painlessly as possible, which could also save you a trip to the pet groomer.
A regular brush or one of those silicon padded gloves without pins will work just fine with short-haired pets. In all cases, just think of grooming your pet as getting ahead of the vacuuming deal without giving yourself a huge headache somewhere down the line. Getting ahead of all the work and starting with the culprit, your pet, will prevent you from having to do a whole lot of cleaning around the house.
Invest in a Good Vacuum Cleaner
Perhaps you already own a perfectly good vacuum cleaner and you feel that it is working just fine. However, the sad reality is you will need to invest in some truly excellent cleaning equipment if you have a pet. This will depend on the kind of flooring you have; you may find yourself especially hampered by carpets since pet hair latches onto those like bloodthirsty leeches! As mentioned at pethairpatrol.com/best-carpet-cleaner-for-pets/, you might need a full-on carpet cleaner to help you get rid of nasty stains, hair clumps, and so on. We all love our pets, but the reality is that they can do a number on your home, and some surfaces simply do not mix with pets. Purchasing models that are specifically made to capture pet fur will go a long way in helping you to preserve your sanity and maintain the cleanliness of your home.
You also need to empty out your vacuum cleaner from time to time because the fur will accumulate in the main hoovering mechanism as well as the filter. If you don’t take the time to diligently clean both, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise down the line, as the motor of your highly prized vacuum or carpet cleaner will burn out eventually.
Use the Tumble Dryer
Sometimes, when you clean your pet’s fur in the washing machine, you may find huge clumps of fur stuck to the surface of certain staticky sweaters. This can be a major source of annoyance, but also one that is completely avoidable. All you need to do is to use the tumble dryer with a sheet or two fabric softener. This will help undo whatever it is the washing machine does to clump all of the pet hair onto your clothes; the tumble dryer loosens the hair with heat and gets it to go into the filter, where it belongs, rather than your favorite sweater.
Buy a Lint Roller
Lint rollers are the perfect purchase for every pet owner whose pets shed. They are cheap and easy to use, and all you have to do is roll them across a surface with pet hair to get rid of them. These are best used on fabrics, such as your clothes or couches. You can even make DIY lint rollers if you have a paint roller. Cover the roller with duct tape and run it across any surface to pick up unwanted pet hair.
Try Rubber Gloves
Rubber gloves are perfect for removing pet hair because you can easily lift off hair with your hands when wearing them. Wet your rubber gloves to make the task easier, making picking up the pet hairs even easier. Some rubber gloves are designed to pick up pet hair, so they have tiny grooves that hair clings to when you run it across your pet or a surface with their hair on it.
Try a Damp Cloth or Fabric Softener Sheet
A simple damp cloth or fabric softener sheet is the most economical and easiest way to get rid of pet hair. Microfiber cloths and sponges are particularly useful because pet hair sticks to them. You can also use fabric softener sheets but be sure to damp them slightly.
Be Smart With Your Surfaces
If you plan on renovating your home and have pets, you may want to choose a flooring type resistant to pet hair. Hard floorings, such as vinyl or food, are very pet-friendly because you can wipe clean the surface, and all the pet hair will disappear.
Furniture made of leather is also a great idea if you have pets. If your pet is allowed in your bed, choose shiny synthetic material that is hair resistant. With one shake, you can remove all the pet hair from your sheets.
Cover the Surface
If your pet has a surface they like to lie on, you can cover it with a pet blanket and remove it when you want your place to look presentable. Doing so will help protect your furniture, and you won’t need to vacuum the entire couch just because your pet sat in one spot.
Conclusion
We all love our pets and want what’s best for them, but at the same time, we do need a break from the constant cleaning and the headache of fur that seems to get on everything, aggravating your allergies and irritating your sinuses. Following these simple tips can make things a lot easier for you and your family in the long run.