I went from not really knowing much about cats to someone who instantly fell in love with them. Back in 2011, Emma and I got our first cat, Luna, as a holiday gift to each other, and ever since, I’ve been a full-on, proudly out-there cat lady.
A year later, we added Nala to the mix, a little friend for Luna, and honestly, I’ve been obsessed ever since. But here’s the thing: whether you have a cat or a dog (and trust me, I want a dog too), pets leave a lot of hair around the house.
So today, I want to share something that many of you, fellow pet parents, have asked me about: how to deal with pet hair. And believe me, I get the struggle!
That’s why I want to help you figure out how to cut down on all that fur. Today, I’m sharing five great ways to get rid of pet hair.
In This Article:
Why Every Pet Parent Needs a Rubber Glove or Squeegee
As a pet parent, making friends with rubber is a must, seriously. Whether it’s a rubber glove or a rubber-tipped squeegee (and yes, I’ve talked about this before), rubber can do what your vacuum sometimes just can’t. It’s surprisingly good at lifting pet hair.
Here’s what I like to do: whether I’m cleaning an upholstered piece, a rug, or even a carpet, I’ll grab my rubber squeegee and use quick, short strokes, working my way from top to bottom. It always pulls up this gross, thick line of cat hair that makes me wonder, what is my vacuum even doing?
The truth is, rubber has a special kind of magic when it comes to pet hair. It works beautifully alongside your vacuum to get the job done.
And if you need to get into tight spots, like corners or the seams of your upholstery, a rubber glove is perfect for that. As pet parents, it often feels like no matter how much we clean, there’s always more fur hiding somewhere!
The Secret to Getting All the Pet Hair Out of Your Carpet
No matter how many times you vacuum, it can feel like there’s always pet hair left behind, right? I totally get it. But I have a little solution that can really make a difference. I’m a huge fan of the W-pattern vacuuming technique. Basically, it means you’re vacuuming the same area twice by going over it in a zigzag or “W” shape. That double-pass is super effective at picking up what’s left behind.
But when you’re a pet parent and you’re still finding fur in your carpet even after vacuuming, here’s a game-changer: turn your vacuum perpendicular to the direction you just cleaned and repeat the W-pattern again.
Why does this help? Because when you vacuum, the strokes always move in the same direction, and pet hair can get matted down or stuck. By going over the same area from a different angle, you lift and catch all the hair that was missed the first time around.
It may sound like a small tweak, but it makes a huge difference, especially when you live with pets (who, let’s be honest, are total creatures of habit). Choosing the best vacuum cleaner can really make this process easier.
The Lint Roller That Saves Me from Cat Hair Chaos
Every evening around 5 p.m., like clockwork, my girlfriend and I get yelled at by our cats, Max and Luna. They’re hungry, and they’re not shy about letting us know. But just like they’re picky about their food, they’re also very specific about their favorite hangout spots.
Their top picks? The ottomans, our bed, the upstairs couch, and especially the downstairs sofa. And of course, wherever they go, the fur follows. Not once have they chosen a spot where they don’t leave hair behind, because that would be way too convenient.
To keep things clean, we rely on a lint roller, but not one of those tiny, tedious ones. I use the Evercare Mega Lint Roller, and honestly, it’s been a game changer. It’s huge, which saves me time and effort when cleaning up their favorite spots.
Even better, it has an extendable handle, so I’m not bending over or crouching to reach every corner. A few passes is all it takes to lift up the fur.
And just to make things more fun, Luna, our black cat, loves lounging on our white fabric sofa. Yeah… that one’s a battle, but this lint roller definitely makes it easier.
Grooming: The Key to Cutting Down Pet Hair at Home
I’ve yet to meet a dog that doesn’t enjoy being brushed out, but cats? They can be a bit more particular. When it comes to cleaning pet hair around your home and on your clothes, a lot of it really comes down to regular grooming and choosing the right vacuum for pet hair.
If you stay on top of grooming, you can drastically cut down how much hair ends up everywhere.
You’ve got to know your pet’s personality, though. For example, my cat Bean hates being groomed, so that’s kind of a lost cause; we just let him shed naturally. But Max, on the other hand, actually loves grooming time. Since I’m the “cat guy” around here, I enjoy sitting down with him and brushing him out. It’s not just about the hair; it’s a great way for us to hang out and bond.
Every time I finish, I end up with this huge clump of fur, and honestly, I’m grateful I got it then because otherwise, it would have been all over the house.
So, if you can commit to regular grooming, it really does make a big difference in keeping pet hair under control at home.
A Simple Blanket Hack for Pet Hair in the Car
If you’ve got an old blanket lying around the house, don’t toss it; put it to good use. Here’s a simple upcycling trick: Line the backseat of your car with that blanket, especially if you take your pets along for rides. Now, personally, I don’t take my cats, Max and Luna, in the car. The minute they’re in there, it’s full chaos; every bodily function seems to activate at once. So yeah, they stay home.
But I’ve got friends with dogs who swear by this blanket trick. They toss one over the backseat to catch all the loose hair, dander, and any odors. It acts as a barrier between the pet and the car interior.
The best part? When it gets dirty, just pull it out and throw it in the wash. And if someone’s hopping in the backseat who’s not thrilled about sitting in a pile of fur, you can easily remove it beforehand. Simple, cheap, and way more convenient than deep-cleaning your car every week.
