subject: Tips For Getting Pet Hair Off Furniture And Upholstery [print this page] If you have indoor pets, you already probably know that they shed a lot of hair - especially during the summer months. Unfortunately, with indoor pets this hair has very few places to go, and will usually end up all over your furniture, on your upholstery, and in your carpet. As you probably also already know, it can be difficult to get pet hair off of furniture and upholstery. Sure, you could put a sheet over your sofa or chairs, but then you can't enjoy your beautiful furniture as it was meant to be enjoyed. Instead, here are some tips for getting pet hair off of upholstery and furniture.
Fabric Softener
Prior to attempting to remove pet hair from your upholstery, combine a mixture of half water and half fabric softener in a spray bottle and spray the mixture over your furniture. The fabric softener will loosen the hair's hold on the fabric and allow for considerably easier removal. Just make sure the fabric on your furniture is water safe before spraying it with the fabric softener mixture. Leather, suede, and other materials may not be able to tolerate water.
Tape
This may seem like hair removal: 101, but try using shipping tape to remove pet hair from your furniture. Shipping tape is usually stickier than normal tape, and will last longer. Wrap your hand with the shipping tape (sticky side out) and press the shipping tape against the furniture with the fabric softener-sprayed pet hair on it. Once the tape is completely covered with hair and no stickiness remains, wrap a fresh piece of tape around your hand and continue.
Rags and Water
Soak a rag in clean water and scrub the fabric on your upholstery or furniture. The dampness of the rag will pull hair from the furniture and keep it stuck to the rag (instead of wiping all the hair onto your carpet). If the rag gets too covered in hair, rinse it thoroughly and resume scrubbing until all of the pet hair is gone from the furniture.
Rubber Gloves
Put on a pair of rubber gloves and run your hands over the furniture. The rubber will form a static charge that will attract the pet hair and draw it off of the upholstery. When it gets too hairy, clean off the glove and continue until the hair is gone.
Hand Vacuum
There are many hand vacuums on the market designed specifically to pick up pet hair; they can be especially effective when coupled with other methods, especially the fabric softener mixture spray. Clean the filter of your hand vacuum on a regular basis for maximum suction.
Hire Professionals
Hire professional carpet cleaning services to clean your upholstery. When all else fails, it's time to call in the big guns. Professional carpet cleaning services have special techniques and tools they use specifically for removing pet hair from upholstery. Call your local carpet cleaning franchise once or twice a year to get a good cleaning of your upholstery and carpet, and you'll not only be pet hair-free, but your furniture and carpet will last longer too!
