A pet is a wonderful addition to any home, but you must also be thinking of how to remove pet hair from your carpet on a regular basis. I can say that my home would not be the same without my beautiful, handsome and very good boy, Polar. He’s a Labrador and brings so much joy to our house. However, with all of the joy that he brings, he brings about twice as much hair!
Once you have a pet, you spend as much time trying to remove pet hair from your carpet as you do enjoy their presence. Many people have figured out ingenious and creative ways of removing pet hair from carpets, many of which can be found below. We also have the easiest (and my go-to) option for quickly removing dog hair from carpets right at the end of this article, so stick around!
We all love our furry friends, but let’s be honest – the constant battle against pet hair can drive any dog owner crazy! As a proud dog parent myself, I’ve spent countless hours trying to figure out the best ways to keep my carpets from turning into a fur factory. If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the same hairy situation.
Don’t worry – I’ve done the dirty work testing various methods so you don’t have to In this article, I’ll share 14 proven techniques to get that stubborn dog hair out of your carpet, from quick fixes to long-term solutions
Why Dog Hair Gets So Stuck in Carpets
Before diving into the solutions, it’s worth understanding why dog hair is so darn difficult to remove from carpets. Dog hair and carpet fibers often have a static charge that causes them to cling together like magnets. Plus, those little hairs can weave deep into the carpet fibers, making them super challenging to extract with regular cleaning.
This is especially true if you have:
- A heavy-shedding breed (like my Labrador)
- High-pile or shag carpeting
- Dry indoor air that increases static electricity
Now, let’s get to the good stuff – how to actually solve this hairy problem!
14 Effective Methods to Remove Dog Hair from Carpets
1. The Vacuum Method (The Most Common Solution)
Nothing beats a good vacuum cleaner for regular dog hair maintenance. For best results:
- Vacuum at least once or twice a week to prevent buildup
- Use a vacuum specifically designed for pet hair
- Look for models with HEPA filters to reduce allergens
- Make sure your vacuum has strong suction power
- Use attachments designed for deep cleaning carpet fibers
Pro tip: Go over high-traffic pet areas twice in different directions to catch hair that might be embedded deep in the fibers.
2. Rubber Gloves Technique
This is one of my favorite quick-fix methods that works surprisingly well:
- Put on a pair of regular household rubber cleaning gloves
- Dampen them slightly with water
- Run your hands over the carpet in one direction
- Watch as the hair clings to the gloves due to static electricity
- Rinse gloves when they get full of hair and repeat
This works amazingly well for smaller areas or spot-cleaning, especially on low-pile carpets. The rubber creates static that literally pulls the hair right out!
3. Squeegee Magic
Yep, the same tool you use on your windows can be a carpet-saver:
- Use a rubber-edged squeegee with a long handle
- Drag it across your carpet in short, firm strokes
- The rubber edge will collect dog hair into piles that you can easily pick up
This method works particularly well on short-pile carpets and is great for your back since you don’t have to bend down as much.
4. The Fabric Softener Spray Solution
This is a bit more involved but works wonders for stubborn hair:
- Mix 1 part fabric softener with 3 parts water in a spray bottle
- Lightly mist the carpet (don’t soak it!)
- Let it dry completely
- Vacuum as normal
The fabric softener breaks the static bond between the hair and carpet, making it much easier for your vacuum to pick up. Plus, your room will smell fresh!
5. Pumice Stone for Targeted Areas
Got a stubborn patch of dog hair that won’t budge? Try this:
- Lightly rub a pumice stone over the area
- The rough texture grabs hair that’s embedded in the carpet
- Follow up with vacuuming
Be gentle though – test in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage your carpet fibers.
6. Carpet Rake Method
For high-pile or shag carpets, a carpet rake is your best friend:
- Use a carpet rake with metal or stiff bristles
- Pull it across your carpet in one direction
- The rake will loosen embedded hair
- Vacuum afterward to collect the loosened hair
This method is especially effective for thick carpets where hair gets trapped deep in the fibers.
7. Lint Roller Technique
For small areas or quick touch-ups:
- Use a sticky lint roller (the kind with tear-off sheets)
- Roll it over the carpet surface
- When the sheet gets full of hair, tear it off and continue
While this isn’t practical for large areas, it’s perfect for spot cleaning or small rugs.
8. The Baking Soda Method
This dual-purpose technique not only removes hair but also eliminates odors:
- Sprinkle baking soda generously over your carpet
- Let it sit for a few minutes (or longer for odor removal)
- Vacuum thoroughly
The baking soda helps break the static bond between hair and carpet while absorbing pet odors – win-win!
9. Damp Sponge Trick
Simple but effective for small areas:
- Slightly dampen a clean sponge with water
- Wipe it across your carpet in one direction
- The hair will either stick to the sponge or ball up for easy collection
This works similarly to rubber gloves but might be better for delicate carpets.
10. Velcro Curlers (Seriously!)
This unexpected household item works great:
- Roll Velcro hair curlers over your carpet
- The Velcro catches and holds onto dog hair
- Remove the hair from the curlers and repeat
This method is best for spot cleaning rather than large areas.
11. Masking Tape Hand Wrap
A quick DIY solution:
- Wrap masking tape around your hand, sticky side out
- Pat or rub the tape over hairy carpet areas
- Replace the tape when it gets full of hair
Duct tape works too, but be careful as it might be too sticky and pull carpet fibers.
12. Damp Broom Sweep
For those without a vacuum handy:
- Slightly dampen a regular broom
- Sweep your carpet with short strokes
- The moisture helps collect the hair into piles
Follow up by collecting the hair piles with a dustpan or by hand.
13. Rubber Broom
A specialized tool worth considering:
- Use a rubber-bristled broom specifically designed for pet hair
- Sweep in one direction across your carpet
- The rubber bristles create static that pulls up hair
These specialized brooms are available at most pet stores and work much better than regular brooms.
14. Professional Carpet Cleaning
When all else fails or for periodic deep cleaning:
- Hire professional carpet cleaners with experience in pet hair removal
- They have industrial-strength equipment and specialized solutions
- The deep clean will remove embedded hair and sanitize your carpet
While this is the most expensive option, sometimes you need to call in the pros, especially if you have wall-to-wall carpeting throughout your home.
Prevention Tips: Reduce the Hair Before It Hits Your Carpet
The best way to deal with dog hair is to minimize how much of it ends up in your carpet in the first place:
Regular Grooming
I brush my dog every other day and it makes a HUGE difference:
- Brush your dog outside when possible
- Use a deshedding tool appropriate for your dog’s coat type
- Consider professional grooming every 6-8 weeks
- Give your dog regular baths with deshedding shampoo
Create Dog-Free Zones
It’s OK to have some boundaries:
- Use baby gates to block carpeted areas
- Train your dog to stay off certain furniture
- Provide comfortable alternative spots for your dog to lounge
Use Strategic Covers
Protect high-traffic dog areas:
- Place washable throw rugs over carpet in your dog’s favorite spots
- Use furniture covers on sofas and chairs
- Consider switching to area rugs that can be easily cleaned
Manage Home Environment
A few environmental tweaks can help:
- Run a humidifier when the air is dry to reduce static
- Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpet with hard flooring in pet areas
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture floating hair and dander
My Personal Go-To Method
After trying literally everything, my personal favorite combo is:
- Regular brushing of my dog (prevention is key!)
- A weekly once-over with a rubber broom
- Followed by vacuuming with my pet-specific vacuum
- Spot cleaning with rubber gloves between full cleanings
- Professional carpet cleaning twice a year
I find this routine keeps the dog hair situation manageable without driving me completely bonkers!
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Fur (Sort Of)
Let’s be real – if you have a dog, you’re gonna have some dog hair. It’s part of the deal we make when we bring these wonderful furry creatures into our lives. The goal isn’t to eliminate every single strand (impossible!) but to keep it under control.
Try a few of these methods to see what works best for your specific carpet type and dog breed. And remember, those puppy cuddles and loyal companionship are totally worth a little extra cleaning!
Do you have any creative ways you’ve discovered to battle the never-ending war against dog hair? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!
Note: Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of your carpet first to ensure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.
11 ways to remove pet hair from carpets
You can actually buy lint rollers with long handles that are designed for removing excess hair from carpets. They are wider than the typical lint roller that you use to remove pet hair from your clothes, but they work in the same way. They come with a roll of sticky paper, and as you roll it over the carpet, it picks up any hair, dust and dirt. Once the roller is full of pet hair, peel off that layer and reveal the next.
Lint rollers work great for removing pet hair from lots of surfaces. Many people reserve them for sofas and other soft furnishings, but they can be used to remove pet hair from your carpets too.
Just as a hairbrush collects loose hair as you brush your own hair, the same is true for the pet hair on your carpets. Simply run the hairbrush over embedded fur on your carpet, just as you would if you were brushing a giant’s head and watch as it captures all the loose hair.
Now, this method takes some elbow grease. You’ll need to get on all fours and just go for it. This is why many pet lovers only use this pet hair removal technique for smaller spaces. For example, this method works great on the stairs, and it doesn’t actually take as long as you think.
Once you get the rhythm down and start brushing it, the pet hair will come up very quickly. My dog loves to sit on the stairs, and as a result, there is always hard-to-reach pet hair on my stairs. This method works perfectly for removing stubborn pet hair from carpets no matter where you use it, though.
Do you know the bumps on rubber gloves that are designed to give you extra grip as you wash up? Well, these little bumps on a rubber glove are excellent for drawing pet hair out of the carpet.
Put on your rubber gloves, and start running your hands over your carpet. You’ll quickly see how much pet hair this method can lift up. If you do this method, it is worth taking a bin bag around with you to collect all the pet hair. Thin latex gloves offer an impressive amount of grip and allow you to pick up dog and cat hair too.
Again, this is a rather labour-intensive method for removing dog and cat hair, but it does work great for smaller spaces. It works particularly well in the car. The carpets in cars love to cling to pet hair, yet the rubber glove method can free it up nicely and quickly.
Okay, hear me out. This method of removing cat and dog hair from a carpet may sound like a crazy idea, but if it works, is it really crazy? I’m sure all of us have rubbed a balloon on our clothes and then put it over someone’s head and watched their hair go crazy, right?
Well, instead of placing it over that person’s head, place it over your carpet instead. The static charge on the balloon will lift the pet hair from your carpet just as it does during the hilarious party trick. It works surprisingly well, although it is difficult to reach into tight spaces with a balloon!
This pet hair removal method takes a bit of prep, but it is well worth it. You need to make a solution of liquid fabric softener and water in equal parts and pop it in a spray bottle. Yes, the same fabric softener you use in your washing machine. Don’t worry; there is a method to this madness.
Then, spray this solution over your carpet in a very light mist. You do not need a lot of this solution. A very light misting will do. Once the fabric softener is dry, just vacuum your carpets as normal. Works like magic, right?
Well, it isn’t actually magic. Fabric softener is designed to loosen up fabric, allowing water and detergent to pass through your clothes during the wash. So, when you apply it to your carpet, it loosens the carpet’s grip on the pet hair, allowing the vacuum to pick more of it up. This works a treat, and once you have the spray bottle full of the solution, you can keep reusing it over and over again.
The baking soda method or bicarbonate of soda method is one of the easier methods you can use to remove dog hair from your carpets. Just grab your bicarb and sprinkle a bit over your carpets, making sure you get good coverage.
You only need a thin layer of bicarb, and then just leave it to work its magic. This will only take a few minutes. You can then vacuum up all of the bicarbonate of soda. The baking soda will cling to the dog hair and pull it out of the carpet.
If you leave the baking soda on your carpets for longer than a few minutes, it will also get rid of any odours in the carpet as well as remove hair. Baking soda acts as a deodoriser, so it is brilliant for getting rid of the smells that your pet can leave behind on your carpet too.
Baking soda has a wide range of effective uses, please have a look at our how to clean silver at home article to see other cleaning uses of bicarbonate.
A pet hair magnet is actually not a magnet at all. Instead, it is a rubber squeegee that you draw over your carpets to pick up hair. The rubber blades on a PetMate magnet are thicker than standard rubber squeegees, although you can achieve a similar result if you only have a standard one.
Many people keep one of these in their car as it is one of the best things to use for getting pet hair out of car carpets. As these carpets are extremely clingy, using something like this makes a huge difference.
A carpet rake is an excellent tool for removing cat and dog hair from carpet fibres. It is basically a hairbrush on a long handle. There is a choice of plastic or stiff metal bristles on carpet rakes which delve deep into the pile of carpet fibres as you sweep it. The plastic bristles provide a gentler action, and the metal ones ensure all stubborn hairs are drawn out.
A carpet rake can bury deep into the pile and unearth even the most hidden hair. As it draws hair out of the carpet, the head collects it. All you need to do is remove the collected hair from the bristles periodically during use. Carrying a bin bag around makes this quick and easy.
Your pet’s hairbrush
To remove dog hair from the carpet, why not use the brush you use for your dog? While this can be a very labour-intensive way of getting rid of hair, it is excellent for small spaces. As a dog owner myself, I have resorted to using my dog’s brush to brush the stairs in the past.
This plain hairbrush works excellently, and once you get in a rhythm, this method to remove dog hair really doesn’t take that long. As the metal and rubber bristles of the brush are quite long, it allows you to get deep into the carpet as well. So, it is a very thorough way of getting rid of dog hair.
I cannot believe how much hair it left behind #cleantok #pethairremoval #cleaning #asmr
FAQ
What is the best way to get dog hair off of carpet?
The best way to remove dog hair from carpet is a combination of tools and techniques: use a rubber broom or glove to gather hair into piles, then vacuum them up. For embedded hair, sprinkle baking soda beforehand to loosen it, and use a lint roller for quick touch-ups. For best results, ensure your vacuum’s filter is clean and use the right attachment for carpet.
Do dryer sheets help remove dog hair?
Yes, dryer sheets help remove dog hair by neutralizing the static electricity that causes hair to cling to fabrics, allowing the hair to be more easily collected by the lint trap or removed by brushing. Both regular and pet-specific dryer sheets can reduce static and make hair release from clothes, though some dryer sheets are specifically formulated to break static bonds for greater effectiveness.