8 WAYS TO REMOVE PET HAIR FROM YOUR CAR

8 WAYS TO REMOVE PET HAIR FROM YOUR CAR

Whether your pet only rides in your car occasionally, goes to work with you every day, or you consider yourself the proud parent of a furbaby that rides along wherever you go, pet hair in your car can be a problem. Read on for the eight best ways to remove pet hair from your car.

You have had your furry friend lay on blankets, you vacuum your car regularly, and still, you find pet hair embedded in the upholstery of the seats, the floor, and probably every nook and cranny of the car which leaves you wondering, how did that get there?

Of course, we love our pets dearly. Banning them from the car is not an option. So how do you remove, and keep, your vehicle’s interior free of pet hair?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. 8 Ways To Remove Pet Hair

II. Rubber Glove

III. Velcro Curlers

IV. A Balloon

V. Duct Tape

VI. Pumice Stone

VII. Dryer Sheets

VIII. Wire Brush

IX. Squeegee

X. Preventing Pet Hair

I. 8 Ways to Remove Pet Hair

It goes without saying that you begin any hair removal process with a good round of vacuuming. Extracting the loose hair is the first step, and goes a long way to rid your car of the majority of the hair.

While this is an all-important step, it is the stubborn, embedded strands that are troublesome, so let’s get down to it.

Tip: Invest in a hand-held vacuum that is easy and convenient to use. A user-friendly, handy appliance will be used more often, and your routine will have a better chance of success. We recommend the Lolldeal Car Vacuum ($21.99 on Amazon).

vacuum cleaner for floor mats

II. Rubber

One of the most common tools for removing hair from your car’s carpet or upholstery is a rubber glove. That’s right, just like the bright yellow glove worn to scrub toilets (but don’t use that one!). You can use a household rubber glove typically used for cleaning. If you choose this option, it’s good to get the ones with nubs on the palm side of the glove. You can also use a latex glove (or Nitrile glove if you have an allergy or are sensitive to latex).

Wearing a dry glove, run your hand over the seats and carpeted areas of your car, wiping from top to bottom and in one direction only. You can dampen the glove if the dry process does not produce the results you want. Moisture adds weight to the hair and helps it to clump.

A sponge or wet washcloth can be used in the same manner if you do not have rubber gloves on hand. You can also find gloves on the market that are specifically designed to remove pet hair, but you might want to try a regular household rubber glove first.

III. Velcro Curlers

This is a simple process that only involves running, or rolling, the curler over the surface area. This method works best on sturdier materials such as carpeting/flooring. This way can be used on upholstery, but you should try out the curler on a small test area to make sure that it won’t snag the fabric or make it pill.

The curlers can also bend which makes it handy to reach corners and tight spaces. Designate a few curlers for this purpose and keep them separate from others.

IV. A Balloon

Ever thought of using a balloon? An inflated balloon uses static electricity to attract pet hair. As you run the inflated balloon over the surface area, hair collects on the balloon which can then be wiped clean, reused as needed, and discarded when done.

This method does a reasonably good job at removing simple, loose pet hair, but would not be effective on strands that are embedded.

V. Duct Tape

Save the lint roller for your clothes. Packing tape or duct tape can be used to pick up those pesky hairs left by your pet. This method is as conventional as using a lint roller for removing pet hair from fabric, but lint rollers are expensive and less effective on pet hair embedded in your seats and flooring.

Although you can use either type of tape, packing tape has a lighter touch and is less likely to leave a residue of any kind. Wrap the tape around your hand with the adhesive side out and press firmly. Just lift, and see the results. You will have to replace the tape as you go to maximize effectiveness.

VI. Pumice Stone

Pumice stone is a cost-effective and reliable choice for removing pet hair from your car’s interior, especially the flooring and car mats. Careful testing of any seat fabric in your vehicle is required to ensure that you do not damage your upholstery.

What you will need

  • A pumice stone (Fur-Zoff Pumice Stone $8.70 on Amazon)
  • Spray bottle
  • Fabric softener
  • Water
  • A small bucket

The pumice stone method is best completed with the use of a fabric softener solution to break any static bond in the flooring and loosen the hair, and also serves to soften the abrasive quality of the pumice stone. Wipe the surface area in one direction as a back and forth motion may further embed the hair.

To rid the stone of debris, simply spray the stone with the softener solution or dip into a rinse bucket during the process to quickly wash away hair from the stone.

Tip: A fabric softener solution of 7-parts water to 1-part liquid fabric softener is a great way to help release pet hair, freshen your upholstery, and eliminate static cling in your car. This solution can be used with any pet hair removal method.

VII. Dryer Sheets

Arm yourself with a fresh, unused dryer sheet to effortlessly remove pet hair from all surfaces of your car. No need for water or any other solution. Just run the dryer sheet over the surface of the seats, flooring, and console to pick up dust and pet hair.

VIII. Wire Brush

A wire brush is a handy tool for retrieving those hard to get, stubborn strands of pet hair that just won’t budge. This method works in much the same way as using a pumice stone.

Often, pet owners use a wire brush as the end-step of their cleaning process to ensure that they have removed all traces of pet hair and debris. Some prefer a rubber-bristle brush which you can purchase for under $10, and many times for under $5.

IX. Squeegee

Don’t you just love an inexpensive, multi-use tool?

A squeegee is a perfect tool for removing pet hair from your vehicle’s interior. The rubber blade catches hair as you move it against upholstered seats or flooring. Move in a single direction from top to bottom. Wipe the hair from the blade and continue the process.

You can find low-cost squeegees at most stores and in varying sizes to suit your needs. Easy to clean and reusable, this tool is a great value and makes hair removal a snap. And you can clean your windows afterward!

X. Preventing Pet Hair

While it is impossible to prevent pet hair from infiltrating your car entirely, there are a few ways to lessen the amount of hair left behind:

Tip 1

Give your pet a good brushing before you go out. If your furry friend is agreeable, you can even use your vacuum to make sure that all loose hair is safely kept away.

Tip 2

Buy a pet seat cover for your car. These finds keep fur, dirt, and mud from soiling your car seats. These can be conventionally washed and put away between uses.

Tip 3

It is important to keep pets contained, and in some states, it’s the law. A comfortable pet harness or crate will keep your pets safe and keep the spread of hair to a minimum.

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