How to Remove Pet Hair From Your Couch

Camryn RabideauCamryn RabideauUpdated: Apr. 30, 2022

If pet hair has taken over your furniture, there's a way to get it off quickly and easily.

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Camryn Rabideau for Family Handyman
Next Project
Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

As someone who lives in a multi-pet home, I know firsthand the struggle of trying to keep sofas and other furniture free of pet hair. There are several tricks you get use to coax stubborn hair out of upholstery fabric, many of which use materials you probably already have at home.

Tools Required

  • Pet hair roller
  • Rubber gloves
  • Upholstery attachment
  • Vacuum

Materials Required

  • Fabric freshener
  • Water in a spray bottle

Project step-by-step (4)

Step 1

Vacuum Using an Upholstery Attachment

Vacuum Using an Upholstery AttachmentCamryn Rabideau for Family Handyman

Step 2

Give Extra Attention to Problem Areas

  • Use a pet hair roller, such as this ChomChom Roller, to go over spots where your pets usually lay.
    • The electrostatic charge helps pull up hair from the fabric.
    • Move in short back-and-forth motions for best results.

Give Extra Attention to Problem AreasCamryn Rabideau for Family Handyman

Step 3

Wipe Down With Rubber Gloves

  • Spray a small amount of water onto a rubber glove.
  • Run the glove over the sofa, applying a light pressure.
    • Focus on areas where pet hair is worked into the fabric.
    • Pro Tip: Move your hand with the “grain” of woven fabric for best results.
  • Re-wet your glove as needed.
  • Vacuum up hair that’s loosened by this step.

Wipe Down With Rubber GlovesCamryn Rabideau for Family Handyman

Step 4

Spray With Fabric Freshener (optional)

Spray With Fabric FreshenerCamryn Rabideau for Family Handyman

Originally Published: September 15, 2020