How to Keep Your House Dog Hair-Free: Ultimate Cleaning Tips

Preamble

If you love your dog but hate the mess they leave behind, you’re not alone. Many dog owners struggle to keep their homes free of pet hair, especially those with breeds that shed a lot. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to minimize dog hair in your home, making cleaning easier and less frequent. In this post, we’ll explore how to keep your house dog hair free with some ultimate cleaning tips.

1. Brush Your Dog Regularly

Regular brushing is the most effective way to keep dog hair from accumulating in your home. Brushing removes loose or dead hair from your dog’s coat before it can spread to your furniture, carpets, or clothing. The frequency and type of brushing depend on your dog’s breed and coat type:

Short-haired breeds: Brush once a week with a bristle brush to remove loose fur.
Medium to long-haired breeds: Use a slicker brush or a grooming glove several times a week.
Heavy shedders: Consider using a deshedding tool to reduce shedding significantly.

To keep hair contained, brush your dog outside or in a designated area that’s easy to clean.

Dyson makes an animal hair attachment called the Groom Tool. Essentially, you can vacuum your pet (if they’ll let you, mine sure won’t!) and clean as you go.

2. Bathe Your Dog Occasionally

Bathing your dog can help reduce shedding by removing loose hair, dirt, and dander. However, over-bathing can dry out your dog’s skin, leading to more shedding. Aim to bathe your dog about once a month, or as needed based on their activity level and coat condition. Always use a mild, dog-specific shampoo and rinse thoroughly to prevent skin irritation.

For dogs with particularly thick or long coats, a moisturizing conditioner can help detangle hair and reduce shedding.

Bathe Your Dog Occasionally:

If you want to get all the shedding undercoat out, start by brushing the dog, then shampoo twice and use conditioner. Rinse really well each time to get rid of clumps of hair. Finish off by drying the dog (be sure to cover his or her ears, and do not use the dryer on any sensitive parts!). Brush well after completely dry and then—wait for it—repeat the entire process!

3. Schedule Professional Grooming

Professional grooming is essential, especially for dogs with long, curly, or dense coats that require regular trimming. A professional groomer can provide a haircut tailored to your dog’s breed and needs, reducing the amount of hair they shed. Groomers also handle other grooming tasks like nail trimming, ear cleaning, and expressing anal glands, all of which contribute to your dog’s overall health and appearance.

4. Cover Your Furniture

To keep your furniture free of dog hair, cover it with slipcovers, blankets, or throws that are easy to remove and wash. This is particularly useful for households with dogs that love to lounge on sofas, beds, and chairs. Regularly wash and switch out these covers to keep your home looking fresh.

Training your dog to use their own bed or designated space can also help keep hair off your furniture. For added protection, consider using deterrents like citrus sprays or aluminum foil to keep dogs away from specific areas.

5. Sweep, Mop and Vacuum Regularly

No matter how diligent you are with brushing and grooming, some dog hair will inevitably find its way onto your floors and furniture. Regular vacuuming and sweeping are crucial to maintaining a dog-hair-free home.

Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, which is effective at trapping pet dander and hair. Look for models with specialized attachments designed for pet hair and different flooring types.

Cleaning with brooms and vacuums

For hardwood or tile floors, a broom specifically designed for pet hair, such as a rubber broom, can be more effective than traditional brooms. Aim to vacuum and sweep at least twice a week, and more often if you have a heavy-shedding breed.

Electrostatic Dust Mops for Hard Floors

Instead of a vacuum, switch to an electrostatic dust mop for hard floors, at least for a first pass. Vacuum exhausts can send hair flying around back onto surfaces, defeating the whole purpose of vacuuming. Even the action of a broom can send hair flying. Instead, something like a Swiffer will actually catch the hair in its place. You can even switch out the disposable wipes with a microfiber cloth, which also has that essential electrostatic charge. (I like this option since you can reuse the cloth several times, and it gets laundered instead of tossed.)

6. Utilize Lint Rollers and Other Hair Removal Tools

Lint rollers are lifesavers for quickly removing dog hair from clothing, upholstery, curtains, and bedding. Keep one handy in multiple rooms for quick touch-ups. Additionally, household items like dryer sheets, rubber gloves, damp sponges, or even balloons can effectively pick up pet hair from various surfaces.

For a deeper clean, consider investing in a pet hair removal tool designed for specific surfaces, such as a fabric shaver for couches or a handheld vacuum for tight spaces.

You can also use a dry rubber squeegee or rubber broom to lift up any pet hair from carpets. It might freak you out slightly and cause slight rage at your vacuum (why is it missing so much?!), but man, does it ever work. Just “rake” an area with the tool in short, fast strokes, and you’ll see hair peeling up off the carpet.

If your carpet corners and edges are darkened, it means you’ve got a hefty hair build-up you need to deal with. Put on a rubber glove, wet the pointer finger, then drag it across the area where the carpet meets the baseboard.

7. Invest in a Robot Vacuum

If you’re looking to save time and energy, consider investing in a robot vacuum. These devices automatically move around your home, picking up dirt, dust, and pet hair from your floors. Advanced models come with features like smart mapping, scheduled cleaning, and self-emptying bins, making them ideal for keeping your house dog hair-free with minimal effort.

A robot vacuum is especially beneficial for pet owners with busy schedules or large homes, as it can clean daily without requiring constant supervision.

8. Maintain a Clean Environment

To further minimize dog hair in your home, consider these additional tips:

Air purifiers: Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne pet hair and dander.
Regular washing: Wash your dog’s bedding, blankets, and toys regularly to remove hair and dander.
Clutter control: Keep clutter to a minimum to prevent hair from collecting in hard-to-reach places.
Laundry Tips for Pet Hair Removal:
- Here is the best trick I have learned to do away with pet hair on clean clothes: Loosen the pet hair up before washing, before the agitation of the machines actually weaves the hair more deeply into our duds, and we will have a good chance of getting rid of it.
- Start by placing clothing in the dryer for 10 minutes on a heat-free, tumble-only cycle. This will help loosen the hair. Remember to empty your dryer vent. Shake each garment out before placing it in the washing machine to rid it of any extra hair, and wash as you normally would. You can even add in ½ cup of white vinegar, which will help the fabric fibers relax, and of course, loosen any extra hair.
HVAC & Ducts Maintenance:
- Pet owners, get your air ducts cleaned as regularly as you can swing. Hair and dander settle there and can get re-circulated, meaning more hair to clean for you. Same goes for your furnace filter: change it frequently to help rid the house of accumulated pet hair and dander.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the amount of dog hair in your home, making it cleaner and more comfortable for both you and your furry friend. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to grooming and cleaning routines. With a little effort, you’ll find it easier to keep your house dog hair-free and enjoy the company of your pet without the mess.