Dogs are our best friends, and though we love them, we don’t love the hair they shed all over our home. They can’t help it, but perhaps we can help you! To improve the indoor environment of your house, from its air quality to its cleanliness, here are 11 tips for cleaning up dog hair.
Tip #1: Brush and Bath Your Pets Regularly
Good boys and girls know how to sit and stay and not bark, but they can’t stop themselves from shedding. One of the best ways to clean up dog hair is to prevent it from being shed in the first place! Frequent grooming with a brush and a bath will go a long way, and there are few things more satisfying than throwing away the big ball of hair that you remove before it has a chance to spread throughout your house. Some dog shampoos claim to help reduce shedding but rubbing them down with soap and water goes a long way in itself!
Of course, many dogs will love this attention (who doesn’t love an extra pet behind the ears), but others may not. Be prepared for an active chase around the house before you can pin them down for a good brushing!
Tip #2: Consider Seat Covers
While this may not be the most aesthetically appealing solution, a cover over your best friend’s favorite hang-out spots might just be the easiest and simplest answer. Try covering their bed, favorite chair, or end of the bed with a large, washable blanket. You can quickly toss it in the washer every few days and manage any hair buildup that would otherwise be on your furniture.
Tip #3: Conquer Your Floors
Floors are where you’ll see most of the hair buildup, and unfortunately, that’s where it can easily spread. To keep dog hair from being tracked through the house by people and dogs walking around, be sure to clean those floors often and thoroughly. It is also recommended to do a bit of sweeping or mopping first before resorting to the vacuum, as it will keep your equipment working and in good condition.
For anything other than carpet, a damp mop will act like a magnet when it comes to picking up dog hair. If you are working on hardwood, be sure to use a recommended wood cleaning product and ensure all is dry when the job is completed.
Tip #4: Use Your Dryer
When you wash your clothes, dog hair will often remain all over them. Air drying unfortunately does not help to remove the hair, but a tumble dryer does a great job at taking care of persistent, clinging fur.
Tip #5: Get a Quality Vacuum
A quality vacuum is a worthwhile investment as it just may be your greatest ally in the fight against dog hair. Different attachments can serve various purposes from thick area rugs and carpets to furniture and hard-to-reach spots. If you’re in the market for a new vacuum, consider buying one specifically made for cleaning up pet hair.
Tip #6: Embrace the Power of Your Humidifier
Dampening your carpet before cleaning and also using a humidifier in your home has surprisingly powerful results when it comes to winning the war against pet hair. A humid environment will help to remove static electricity buildup that causes dog hair to stick and cling to surfaces.
Tip #7: Use a Damp Cloth or Rubber Gloves
Similar to the above, a damp cloth or rubber gloves will get rid of a lot of dog hair because the hair clings really well to these materials when wet. This is a good choice for cleaning furniture as a supplement to your vacuuming. No matter how powerful or expensive of a vacuum you have, it will surely miss a few hairs or not be able to reach all the tight corners.
Tip #8: Engage in Proper Surface Planning
If you are lucky enough to be in the preparatory or renovation stage of your homeowning life, consider making the right choices when it comes to surfaces. If you already have dogs or know that you will have them, it is well worth the decision to go with a hardwood floor or tile instead of carpet. Hardwood, or any other hard surface for that matter, is far easier to clean with a broom or mop than a carpet that will encourage the secretive buildup of dog hair and dander.
Tip #9: Lint Rollers, Balloons, and Tape, Oh My!
There are a few quick, easy, and unconventional options for cleaning dog hair. Lint rollers, static from balloons, and tape can all help in removing pesky hair sticking to couches, upholstery, and your clothes. Consider keeping a supply of these around the house or in your car for this specific purpose. While you might be keen to be preventative, these tools are not recommended for applications directly on your dog.
Tip #10: Keep Up With Cleaning and Set Some Ground Rules
All the above tips are helpful and effective in their respective ways but it’s important to keep up with cleaning to prevent dog hair from accumulating. Frequent cleaning will make the job easier and more manageable over time, improving the health and quality of your living environment such as better air quality and smell. Hiring a cleaning service can greatly help in this regard.
It’s also smart to maintain your cleaning supplies in good condition – remember to clean out your vacuum, replace air filters, and remove hair from your washing machine.
Lastly, though it is very hard to do so, it may be worth considering setting off-limit areas for your dog. They may be your best friend, but if they’re not allowed on the bed, that’s one less place to clean dog hair (and you might just get better sleep too).
Tip #11: When All Else Fails, Call in Backup
Keeping up with frequent cleaning is incredibly important for maintaining a dog hair-free living space. It is not always the easiest job, and with so many other things requiring attention, managing dog hair can easily fall off the to-do list or be pushed back to another day. Fortunately, the experts at Clean Bees are here to help! Contact our team to request an estimate or schedule a professional cleaning.