If you live with a dog, this will sound familiar: hair on the sofa, on your black clothes, drifting down the hallway... Knowing how to get dog hair out of the house becomes something of an art, especially in summer when shedding goes into overdrive. The good news is that with a couple of routines and the right tools, the problem stays under control. In this guide you'll see how to get dog hair off the sofa, out of your clothes and off the floor, and how to cut down how much your dog sheds in the first place.
Why is my dog shedding so much?
Before you take on the hair, it helps to understand where it comes from. Dogs shed naturally in spring and autumn, but summer heat and winter central heating also ramp up hair loss. Breed, diet and skin health all play a part. If your dog suddenly starts shedding heavily, scratches constantly or has bald patches, see the vet: it could be an allergy, parasites or a nutritional deficiency.
In a healthy dog, the whole game is removing dead hair before it ends up spread across the house. And for that, brushing is everything.
Brushing: your best weapon against hair
Brushing your dog often is by far the thing that will keep your house cleanest. Every hair you take off with the brush is a hair that never reaches the sofa.
- Short-haired dogs: a rubber brush or grooming glove, two or three times a week.
- Long-haired or thick-coated dogs: a slicker brush and, during shedding season, a de-shedding tool once a week.
- In the thick of the moult: brush daily and, if you can, do it outdoors or on the balcony.
A good brush is a small investment that saves hours of cleaning. In our pet and home products shop you'll find brushes and accessories for your dog's daily care.
How to get dog hair off the sofa and soft furnishings
Sofas, blankets and cushions are hair magnets. These tricks genuinely work:
- Damp rubber glove: run it over the fabric and watch the hair gather into balls you can just pick up.
- Lint roller or sticky tape: perfect for a quick going-over before guests arrive.
- A balloon or anything with a static charge: rub it over the fabric and the hair clings to it by itself.
- Vacuum with an upholstery nozzle: the most thorough option for a proper clean.
One extra tip: put a washable blanket in your dog's favourite spot. That concentrates the hair on a single piece of fabric you can throw in the machine whenever you like.
How to get dog hair out of clothes
There's a trick for hair in clothing before, during and after the wash:
- Before washing: shake the garments out outdoors and run a roller over them. Putting hair-covered clothes into the machine only spreads it around.
- In the machine: add half a glass of white vinegar to the softener compartment; it helps release the hair from the fibres.
- In the dryer: an antistatic sheet and a properly cleaned filter catch a good share of the loose hair.
Floors and corners: keeping shedding in check
With floors, the order matters. Pick up the hair first and mop afterwards, never the other way round:
- Electrostatic or microfibre mop: traps the hair without lifting it into the air, ideal for wood and tiles.
- Vacuum rather than broom: a broom scatters hair into the air; a vacuum actually removes it.
- Robot vacuum set to run daily: keeps the floor under control without you lifting a finger.
Don't forget corners, the space under furniture and ventilation grilles, where hair piles up out of sight.
Reducing shedding at the source
Besides cleaning, you can get your dog to shed less. Look after their diet with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which strengthen the skin and coat. Keep them well hydrated and stick to a sensible bathing frequency: over-bathing dries out the skin and increases hair loss. And be consistent with brushing, which remains your best ally.
Getting dog hair out of the house isn't about one heroic effort a month, it's about small daily routines. With a good brush, a couple of tricks for the sofa and your clothes, and a bit of consistency, both your house and your dog will be comfortable all year round.