Pet are our favourite furry friends, and a joy to be around. However, if your pet moults often, you’ll more than likely find their hair all around your home.
Animals shed their fur to accommodate for different weather, so during winter your cat or dog might have a thicker coat, but come spring or summer, they will shed this layer to remove some extra warmth.
Pet hairs can be quite stubborn when they embed themselves into your carpet fibres. With searches for ‘best way to remove pet hair from carpet’ up by 100% in the past 12 months1, it seems many of us are looking for the right techniques to effectively restore the cleanliness of our carpets.
Luckily, experts at carpet and flooring specialist Tapi have shared five lifelines to keep your carpet clean from pet hairs.
Trusty lint rollers
For smaller areas or a speedy touch-up, lint rollers are your go-to. Roll, peel, and voilà – a hair-free carpet section. They’re portable and great for a quick clean up before guests arrive. If you want the same effect on a bigger area, you can create a larger version with a spare paint roller and tape.
Dog brushes
A dog brush is not only great to remove hairs from your dog, but also perfect for your carpet too. The brushes are designed to get into your pet’s fur, so it’s no surprise it works well on both long and short pile carpets. Try to avoid brushes that have metal bristles as these might damage your carpet.
For maximum results, use short and firm strokes with firm bristles or rubber tips. Just like brushing your dog’s fur, brushing your carpet requires a systematic approach. Start by brushing in the direction of the carpet fibres. This helps to lift the hairs and prevent them from getting pushed deeper into the carpet.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural way to reduce the stickiness of pet hairs on your carpet. Make sure your carpet is dry before applying it, if your carpet is damp or wet, the baking soda might clump up instead of dispersing evenly. Focus on spots where pet hairs tend to stick the most, like areas where your pet frequently lounges or plays.
Let this classic cleaning agent sit on the carpet for at least 15 to 30 minutes. During this time, the baking soda will help to loosen the hairs, making them easier to remove. It also acts as a natural deodoriser so your home will smell better too.
Vacuum attachment
A vacuum cleaner is an effective way to remove hair from your carpet, but by attaching a brush or crevice tool, you’ll see cleaner result. The suction will lift the hairs and the brush will dislodge stubborn ones, plus, if your vacuum has a high-efficient particulate air (HEPA) filter, it will trap even the tiniest pet dander, improving your indoor air quality. The tool tends to attach to the nozzle of your vacuum, so the hairs don’t get caught in the rotating part of the hoover.
Rubber gloves
One method which is cheap and practical uses rubber gloves. Wear a pair of dry washing up gloves and rub your hands along the carpet to pick up all the pet hair with the residual static. The natural static electricity created by the friction between rubber gloves and the carpet fibres helps gather and lift the pet hair, making it easier to collect.
Make sure your carpet is dry before starting. Wet carpets can hinder the effectiveness of the rubber gloves. Start by gently rubbing the gloves over the carpet in small sections. Use long strokes and apply a bit of pressure to create friction between the gloves and the carpet fibres.
For further information and tips, please visit https://www.tapi.co.uk/the-ideas-hub/care-guides/how-to-get-pet-hair-out-of-your-carpet
