My parents have three cats and it’s all my fault. Way back when I attended IU Bloomington, I thought having a cat was a great idea. Until the landlord found out and reminded me the property didn’t allow pets. I begged my “empty nester” parents to take my cat. They fell in love and the rest is history.
My parents are extremely tidy and although they vacuum obsessively, I never leave their home after a visit without a souvenir of cat hair on my clothing. Many clothing items are made of man made fibers which produce static cling and therefor, attract the hair. You can be proactive and reduce static cling by using an anti-static spray on you clothing to make it easier to remove with a lint roller but some hair is inevitable. Also be proactive by vacuuming your floor and furniture often (maybe daily), wash pet bedding often.
Here’s how to remove pet hair from clothing:
A sticky clothes roller is a must. If you don’t have one you can make something similar by rolling masking tape or packing tape around your hand with the sticky side out and pat your clothing.
Dish washing gloves can be used in the same way. Dampen the gloves and rub them over your clothing. It will create static and cause the cat hair to cling to the gloves. Rinse the gloves and repeat.
Place your clothing items with a couple of wet microfiber cloths in the dryer and tumble. The lint will stick to the microfiber cloths. When clothing is slightly damp, remove from the dryer and use a clothes brush, lint roller or sticky tape to remove the remaining lint.
Woolen clothing may need more attention to remove the hair. Use a cloths steamer or hand them in the bathroom while you take a steamy shower. The dampness will help the fibers release the pet hair so you can brush it off your clothing.
When laundering your clothing add 1/2 Cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle to help the fabric fibers relax and “release the hair’. Also, do not crowd the washer or dryer with items. The clothes need room to move in the water so the hair can be loosened and flushed away down the drain.
What are some of your tried and true tactics for removing pet hair on clothing?
– S.O
