8 Easy Ways To Get Pet Hair Out Of Your Sofa

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Getting pet fur out of your sofa starts with preventing it from getting there in the first place. You can achieve this by brushing your pet regularly and taking them regularly to the groomer. The intervals will depend on the kind of pet you have and the length of its fur. Some pets tend to shed more than others and will need to be groomed more often. Both dogs and cats go through a shedding season which you need to look out for and brush them more often during that time. Check the type of brush and grooming information that is aimed specifically at the breed of your pet.

Suck It Up  

Using a vacuum to remove pet fur is the most common go-to method to clean your couch of pet hair. Not all vacuum cleaners are created equal so get the one that has a pet hair-specific attachment. Make sure that you also include the brush attachment, specially designed for couches to remove all sorts of pet hair. Go over the sofa with your vacuum brush in two different directions to ensure a thorough cleaning.   

Wash It Off

If you can remove the cushion covers of your sofa or couch, then the washing machine is a great way to remove pet hair. It does save a lot of time and effort, but be sure to check the cleaning instructions on your covers before you throw them in. It is usually recommended that you hang up your covers to dry rather than putting them in the dryer so do check your instructions carefully to avoid shrinkage and damage. Do remember to clean out the lint trap that will house all the pet hair that has been washed off. 

Use A Rubber Glove

Although you can get a rubber glove specially designed to remove pet hair, a simple dishwashing glove can also do the trick. Dampen the rubber glove with clean water and then rub your glove-covered hand over the surface of the sofa. The wet glove will pick up the pet hair easily. Rinse off the hair as the glove gets covered and remember not to clog up the sink. This is a quick and inexpensive method that deals with most of your pet’s fur. Pet hair holds static which makes the strands cling to surfaces, wiping rubber against the fabric disrupts the static with its own charge, letting you gather together the fur. If you have a latex allergy, vinyl disposable gloves work just as well.

Fabric Softener 

Fabric softener is a surprisingly good home product that helps with getting rid of pet fur. Take liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle and mix in equal parts of water. Give it a good shake and mix it well and spray it gently on your couch. Use a dish cloth or a small towel to wipe the sofa after that. The pet hair gets loosened and gets picked up by the cloth. Dryer sheets also work well. However, dryer sheets can be reused and need to be discarded after every rub-down. 

Furniture Polish

Remove pet hair from wooden furniture by wiping it gently with furniture polish. The polish reduces the static electricity which causes the pet hair to stick to the wood. Spray your wooden furniture with polish and wipe it clean with a soft cloth. The effect of the polish lasts for about a month. This tip does not work for laminates or fake wood. For those surfaces, wipe with a cloth dipped in plain water. 

Lint Rollers

Just as lint rollers are used to pick up pet hair from your clothes, they work well to pick up fur off your couch. The roller consists of a sticky surface which will pick up fur and dust off your couch. When the outer surface gets full of pet hair, it can be peeled off to reveal a fresh lower layer of sticky tape. Lint rollers, however, don't get into small places easily, so they may not clean the creases in your couch, especially where the backing meets the seat. 

Damp Sponge

A damp sponge usually does the job when it comes to cleaning your couch or sofa of dust and pet fur. The important thing to remember in this method is to squeeze your sponge well so that it does not drip and soak the whole couch. Wipe the sponge along the surfaces, making sure to go in different directions to pick up all the fur. This works well if you are in a hurry but you must be careful not to get your couch wet. 

At The Furniture Source you will not only get comfortable modern furniture but also handy tips from us on how to keep it looking as good as new. Check out our various collections here. 

‍