How to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes

If you live with a dog or cat, you probably know the struggle: you put on a freshly washed shirt, only to notice it covered in pet hair.

Pet hair can stick to clothing, bedding, towels, jackets, and almost anything made from fabric. While regular washing helps clean your clothes, loose fur can sometimes remain behind or move from one item to another during laundry.

The good news is that there are several simple ways to manage pet hair.

From lint rollers and dryer sheets to reusable pet hair remover balls, here are 10 practical methods to help remove pet hair from clothes and make laundry easier.

1. Use a Lint Roller

A lint roller is one of the simplest ways to remove pet hair from individual pieces of clothing.

Roll the adhesive surface over your clothes using light pressure. The sticky surface picks up loose fur, lint, and small particles from the fabric.

Best for:

• Shirts
• Trousers
• Jackets
• Coats
• Sofas and cushions

The downside is that traditional lint rollers use disposable adhesive sheets, which means you'll need to replace them regularly.

2. Try a Damp Rubber Glove

A slightly damp rubber glove can be surprisingly effective for collecting loose pet hair.

Put on a household rubber glove, lightly dampen it with water, and run your hand over the fabric. Pet hair can gather into small clumps that are easier to pick up.

This method works particularly well on:

• Upholstery
• Bedding
• Furniture
• Clothing

Avoid soaking the fabric. A lightly damp glove is usually enough.

3. Use a Clothes Brush

A fabric or clothes brush can help loosen and collect pet hair before you put clothing into the washing machine.

Brush in one direction rather than repeatedly brushing back and forth. This can help gather loose hair into manageable sections.

A clothes brush is particularly useful for coats, jackets, and thicker fabrics.

4. Shake Clothes Before Washing

One of the easiest habits you can adopt is simply shaking your clothes before putting them into the laundry basket or washing machine.

Take heavily fur-covered clothing outside or over an easy-to-clean area and give it a good shake.

This can remove some of the loose hair before the washing cycle begins.

It won't remove everything, but it can reduce the amount of loose fur entering your washing machine.

5. Separate Heavily Hairy Items

If one blanket or piece of clothing is covered in a large amount of pet hair, consider washing it separately.

Mixing extremely hairy items with lightly affected clothing can cause loose fur to spread throughout the load.

Sorting laundry based on how much pet hair is present can make the cleaning process easier.

6. Clean Your Washing Machine Regularly

Pet hair doesn't always disappear after a wash.

Some loose hair can remain around the drum, rubber gasket, filter, or other areas of the washing machine.

Regularly inspect and clean your machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Pay particular attention to areas where hair, lint, and debris may collect.

A cleaner washing machine can also help prevent loose debris from transferring to your next load.

7. Use the Dryer Before Washing — When Appropriate

For garments that are suitable for tumble drying, placing them in the dryer for a short cycle before washing may help loosen and separate some pet hair.

Use the appropriate dryer setting for the fabric and follow the garment care label.

Afterward, clean the lint filter according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Important: Not every fabric should be tumble dried, so always check the care label first.

8. Use a Pet Hair Remover During Laundry

Another convenient option is using reusable pet hair remover balls designed for washing machines and dryers.

These products are placed inside the machine with your laundry. As clothes move through the cycle, the textured surface of the balls is designed to help collect loose pet hair, lint, and fuzz.

Why use reusable remover balls?

• Easy to add to your laundry
• Designed for repeated use
• Helps collect loose pet hair
• Can be used as part of your regular laundry routine
• Suitable for homes with dogs and cats

After the cycle, remove the collected hair and lint, clean the balls, and keep them ready for your next load.

9. Groom Your Pet Regularly

One of the best ways to reduce pet hair around your home is to manage loose fur at the source.

Regular grooming can help remove loose hair before it ends up on your clothes, furniture, and bedding.

The right grooming routine depends on your pet's breed, coat type, and individual needs.

Regular brushing can be especially helpful during periods when pets naturally shed more.

10. Keep a Pet Hair Cleaning Routine

Instead of waiting until your clothes are completely covered in fur, make pet hair management part of your normal cleaning routine.

A simple routine could look like this:

Before laundry:
Shake or brush heavily affected clothing.

During laundry:
Use appropriate washing settings and consider a reusable pet hair remover.

After laundry:
Check clothing and clean the washing machine or dryer filter as appropriate.

Between laundry days:
Regularly groom your pet and clean commonly used surfaces.

Small habits can make pet hair much easier to manage.

What Is the Best Way to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes?

There isn't one method that works perfectly for every situation.

A lint roller is convenient for individual garments, while a clothes brush can be useful for coats and heavier fabrics. A damp rubber glove can help with furniture and upholstery.

For laundry, reusable pet hair remover balls can be a convenient addition to your normal washing or drying routine, particularly for households that regularly deal with loose dog or cat hair.

The best approach is often a combination of methods.

Can Washing Machines Remove Pet Hair?

Washing can help clean pet hair from clothing, but loose fur may not completely disappear during every wash.

Some hair can remain attached to fabrics or collect inside the machine.

That's why removing excessive loose hair before washing, maintaining your appliance, and using appropriate laundry accessories can make the overall process easier.

Final Thoughts

Pet hair is simply part of life when you share your home with a dog or cat. But that doesn't mean you have to accept fur-covered clothes every day.

Simple habits like brushing your pet, shaking clothes before washing, using a lint roller, cleaning your washing machine, and adding reusable pet hair remover balls to your laundry routine can help you keep clothing cleaner.

The key is consistency.

A few small changes to your laundry routine can make dealing with pet hair much less frustrating.