Remove dog hair from clothes by lifting as much as possible while they are dry, using a lint roller or a damp rubber glove, then tumbling them in the dryer on a no heat setting before washing. Loosening the fur first means the wash carries it away instead of spreading it across the whole load.
Lifting fur off dry fabric by hand
Water makes dog hair cling harder, so the first pass happens on dry clothes. Lay the garment flat on a table rather than holding it, which gives the tool something to push against.
| Tool | Works best on | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sticky lint roller | Suits, dress pants, dark knits | Runs out fast on heavy shedding |
| Damp rubber dish glove | Sweaters, fleece, upholstery-like weaves | Too wet and it leaves damp spots |
| Packing tape wrapped around a hand | Quick fixes on the way out the door | Can leave residue on delicate fabric |
| Reusable lint brush | Coats and heavier fabrics | Brush in one direction only |
With the glove, wipe in one direction and the hair balls up so you can pick it off. Short, stiff dog hair that has woven into the fabric comes out more easily if you brush against the grain first.
A no heat dryer tumble before washing
Putting furry clothes into the washer first tends to spread the hair onto everything else. A short dryer run first shakes the fur loose and catches it in the lint screen.
- Clean the lint screen so it has room to trap the hair.
- Load only the furry items, leaving plenty of space for them to tumble.
- Add a couple of wool dryer balls or a damp microfiber cloth to help knock hair loose.
- Run a short cycle on the air only or no heat setting.
- Shake each piece outdoors, then clear the lint screen again.
Skip the heat at this stage. Hair that gets baked into wool or knits is harder to shift afterward. After washing, dry the clothes as the care label directs with a freshly emptied lint screen, and that second tumble pulls out much of what the washer missed.
Washing a load that still carries fur
Wash hairy clothes in a smaller load than usual. Extra room lets more water move through the fabric and carry the hair away instead of trapping it in the folds. An extra rinse cycle, if your washer has one, flushes out stray strands.
Keep dog bedding, towels used on the dog and blankets in a separate load from your everyday clothes. Those items hold far more fur and will seed the rest of the wash with it.
Clearing the washer and dryer afterward
Fur left in the machine ends up on the next load. Wipe the washer drum and door seal with a damp paper towel once the cycle ends, and run an empty rinse or cleaning cycle after a very hairy wash.
Many front loading washers have a small drain pump filter behind a panel near the bottom. Your owner’s manual shows where it is and how to empty it, and hair collects there over time. In the dryer, clean the lint screen after every load and check the slot it sits in for clumps. If the screen looks coated with a waxy film, your dryer manual explains how to wash it so air flows freely again.
Keeping less fur on your clothes in the first place
Brushing your dog outdoors a few times a week catches loose undercoat before it lands on the couch and then on you. Heavy shedders need it more during seasonal coat changes. Closing closet doors and keeping clean laundry off the bed also cuts down on fresh hair.
Fabric choice helps. Smooth, tightly woven cotton and synthetic blends release hair more easily than fleece, velvet or loose knits, which grab every strand. Hair on upholstery gets its own guide, since couches need different tools than clothes.
Frequently asked questions
Do dryer sheets help remove dog hair?
Dryer sheets can reduce static, which is part of what holds hair onto fabric, so some people add one during the pre-wash tumble. Wool dryer balls or a damp cloth do a similar job by agitating the load. Check care labels, since some fabrics and towels should not be used with dryer sheets.
How do I get dog hair off black clothes?
Dark fabrics show every strand, so a sticky lint roller is often the best finish after a no heat tumble. Roll in one direction with light pressure and replace the sheet as soon as it stops grabbing. Keep a roller by the door for last minute touchups.
Why is dog hair still on my clothes after washing?
The washer was probably crowded, or the lint screen was already full when the dryer ran. Hair also redeposits from a drum that was not wiped out after an earlier load. Tumble the clothes again on no heat, shake them out, and clean the machine before the next wash.
How do you get dog hair out of blankets?
Shake the blanket outdoors, then run it alone in the dryer on a no heat or air only setting with a couple of wool dryer balls to knock the fur loose, and clear the lint screen. Wash it in its own load with plenty of room and an extra rinse, then empty the lint screen again when drying.
