Methods Ranked by Effectiveness

  1. 1

    Damp rubber glove (best method)

    Put on a rubber cleaning glove and dampen it slightly. Run your hand across the upholstery in firm strokes — the rubber creates static that attracts hair, and the dampness causes it to clump together. Rinse the glove when it gets hairy and repeat. Works on all fabric types and is free if you already have rubber gloves.

  2. 2

    Lint roller

    Roll firmly across the surface in overlapping strokes. Peel away the used sheet when it is covered with hair. Best for light to moderate hair coverage — can go through sheets quickly on heavily hair-covered furniture.

  3. 3

    Window squeegee

    A rubber window squeegee dragged firmly across upholstery gathers hair into rows for easy collection. Excellent for large sofas. Works particularly well on tightly woven fabrics.

  4. 4

    Damp sponge

    A slightly damp sponge wiped across fabric attracts and clumps pet hair. Rinse the sponge frequently and wring well before each pass — too much moisture can leave water marks.

  5. 5

    Vacuum with upholstery attachment

    Follow up any of the above methods with a vacuum using the upholstery or pet hair attachment. Vacuuming first loosens hair from deep in the fabric; a rubber tool then collects what the vacuum misses on the surface.

Fabric softener spray hackMix 1 teaspoon of fabric softener with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the upholstery (do not soak it) and wipe with a cloth. The fabric softener reduces static cling and makes hair easier to remove, and leaves the fabric smelling fresh.

Preventing Pet Hair Buildup

  • Use a washable throw or blanket on pet-favourite spots — wash weekly
  • Regular grooming and brushing of your pet is the most effective prevention
  • A monthly treatment of fabric with anti-static spray reduces hair adhesion
  • Vacuum upholstery weekly before hair has a chance to embed deeply

Frequently Asked Questions

For embedded hair, use a stiff brush (pet grooming brush or stiff cleaning brush) and brush vigorously in one direction — this pulls hair up from deep in the fabric. Follow with a rubber glove or lint roller to collect the loosened hair. A steam cleaner can also help loosen deeply embedded hair.
If the covers are removable and machine washable, yes — but remove as much hair as possible first (using the rubber glove method) before washing. Pet hair in the washing machine can clog the drain filter. Run an empty cycle afterwards and clean the filter to prevent buildup.