How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes | Easy Methods for Wash, Dryer & Home

Dog hair can cling stubbornly to clothing, especially when static electricity and fabric texture cause individual hairs to become embedded in the fibers. Black clothes, woolen garments, blankets, and textured fabrics can make the problem particularly noticeable. The good news is that you can usually remove much of the hair before and during laundry by using the right combination of mechanical removal, drying, washing, and regular maintenance.

If you’re looking for how to remove dog hair from clothes, the most important step is to avoid putting a heavily hair-covered garment directly into the washing machine whenever possible. Removing loose hair first can reduce the amount that ends up inside the washer and dryer. Speed Queen recommends a short no-heat dryer cycle before washing to loosen pet hair, while Hoover recommends pre-treating clothes with a lint roller or pet-hair brush. 

Why Does Dog Hair Stick to Clothes?

Dog hair doesn’t simply sit on the surface of clothing. It can become trapped between fibers, especially when fabrics generate static electricity or have a textured surface. ARM & HAMMER explains that static electricity from friction can make pet hair cling to clothing, while moisture can cause hair to clump and become woven into fibers. 

Some fabrics naturally make pet hair more noticeable than others. Wool, for example, can generate static and provide plenty of places for hair to cling. ARM & HAMMER notes that silk, leather, denim, cotton, and microfiber can be comparatively more resistant to pet hair, although no fabric is completely hair-proof. 

The amount of shedding also matters. A heavily shedding dog can leave substantially more hair on clothes, bedding, and furniture than a dog that sheds less. Regular grooming and cleaning the areas where your dog rests can therefore reduce the amount of hair reaching your wardrobe.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes

The easiest approach is to remove as much loose hair as possible before washing. A lint roller is one of the simplest options for everyday clothing, while a slightly damp rubber glove can gather loose hairs into clumps that are easier to pick up.

For larger amounts of hair, a pet-hair brush, rubber squeegee, or similar fabric-safe tool can loosen embedded fur. Rinse recommends using a lint roller, rubber gloves, or a rubber broom/squeegee before laundry. 

If your clothes are heavily covered in hair, don’t immediately throw them into the washer. Speed Queen recommends using a 10-minute no-heat tumble cycle before washing so loose hair can be captured by the dryer’s lint filter. 

15 Effective Ways to Get Dog Hair Out of Clothes

Use the method that best matches the amount of hair and the fabric:

• Use a lint roller over the entire garment.
• Press sticky tape onto small areas with stubborn hair.
• Run a slightly damp rubber glove over the fabric.
• Use a pet-hair removal brush designed for clothing.
• Try a rubber squeegee on sturdy garments.
• Shake clothing outdoors before washing.
• Brush heavily covered areas before placing clothes in the washer.
• Put suitable garments through a short no-heat dryer cycle first.
• Clean the dryer’s lint filter after the cycle.
• Wash heavily hair-covered items separately.
• Follow the garment’s washing instructions.
• Consider an extra rinse when appropriate for the fabric.
• Inspect clothing after washing rather than assuming every hair is gone.
• Use another lint-roller pass for remaining surface hair.
• Store clean clothing away from areas where pets regularly sleep.

These techniques work best when combined rather than relying on one method for every garment. Hoover similarly recommends lint rollers, damp rubber gloves, pet-hair brushes, and appropriate laundry practices for removing pet hair from clothes. 

How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes in the Dryer

A dryer can be useful before washing, not only afterward. Speed Queen recommends putting pet-hair-covered clothes through a 10-minute tumble cycle with no heat. The idea is to loosen the hair so it can be collected by the lint filter before the clothes enter the washer. 

After the no-heat cycle, remove the clothing and shake it out before washing. Clean the lint filter so the collected hair does not remain in the dryer.

Some modern dryers also have dedicated pet-hair cycles. For example, Speed Queen’s Pet Plus system includes specific pet-hair-removal cycles, while its published instructions describe a dryer-first, washer-second process for suitable loads. 

However, don’t use heat simply because a garment contains pet hair. Always follow the garment’s care label. Wool, delicate fabrics, and other heat-sensitive materials may require a different approach.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes When Washing

If you’re wondering how to remove dog hair from clothes when washing, preparation is important. The washing machine isn’t always the best tool for removing large amounts of loose fur because wet hair can clump together and some of it may remain in the machine.

Remove as much surface hair as possible first. Hoover recommends shaking clothes before washing and washing heavily pet-hair-covered items separately to reduce the spread of fur. 

Use the correct detergent and wash cycle for the fabric. Some manufacturers also recommend specific laundry products or additives designed to help with pet hair, but these should always be compatible with the garment and washing machine.

After the cycle, inspect the clothes before transferring them to the dryer. If substantial hair remains, remove it mechanically rather than repeatedly washing the same load.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes in the Washing Machine

A washing machine can accumulate pet hair when heavily contaminated laundry is washed repeatedly. ARM & HAMMER notes that excess pet hair can build up in the washer, while Speed Queen recommends cleaning the machine when wet fur continues to accumulate. 

After washing pet-hair-covered clothes, inspect the drum and any accessible filter according to the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. Wipe accessible surfaces with a cloth if loose hair is visible.

Don’t assume that every washing machine has a removable filter that you can safely access. The design varies between models, so consult the manufacturer’s manual before opening or removing components.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes Without a Lint Roller

You don’t need a lint roller to remove pet hair. A slightly damp rubber glove is one of the easiest alternatives. Run your gloved hand gently over the garment, and the hair should gather into small clumps that can be picked up.

A rubber squeegee can also work on suitable sturdy fabrics. Rinse specifically recommends a rubber broom or squeegee for loosening pet hair before washing. 

For small amounts of hair, ordinary adhesive tape can provide a quick alternative. Wrap the tape around your hand with the sticky side facing outward and press it gently against the fabric.

Be more careful with delicate clothing. If the fabric is prone to pulling, snagging, pilling, or surface damage, test the method on a hidden section first.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Black Clothes

Black clothes can make even a small amount of dog hair highly visible. The best approach is usually to remove loose hair before wearing or storing the garment.

Start with a lint roller or fabric-safe pet-hair brush. For stubborn areas, a slightly damp rubber glove can gather the hair. Avoid excessive rubbing because repeated friction can contribute to fabric wear.

If black clothing comes out of the wash with hair still attached, remove the remaining hair after the garment is dry rather than repeatedly washing it. A second lint-roller pass is often more practical for surface hair.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Woolen Clothes

Wool requires extra care because its fibers can be sensitive to friction, heat, agitation, and inappropriate cleaning products. ARM & HAMMER specifically identifies wool as a fabric that can generate static and attract pet hair. 

For woolen clothes, begin with gentle mechanical removal. A soft clothing brush or carefully used lint-removal tool may be preferable to vigorous rubbing.

Always follow the garment’s care label. If the wool item is labeled dry-clean-only, use the recommended professional cleaning method rather than experimenting with water, vinegar, or household chemicals.

How to Remove Cat Hair from Clothes

The same basic techniques used for dog hair can also work for cat hair. Lint rollers, sticky tape, rubber gloves, pet-hair brushes, and careful pre-laundry removal are all practical options.

Cat hair can be particularly noticeable on dark clothing because individual strands contrast strongly against the fabric. Hoover recommends lint rollers, damp rubber gloves, and specialized pet-hair brushes for both dog and cat hair. 

If you have both dogs and cats, regular grooming and cleaning pet bedding can reduce the amount of hair transferred onto clothing.

How to Remove Dog Hair from Clothes After Washing

Finding dog hair on freshly washed clothes can be frustrating, but washing the garment again isn’t necessarily the best solution. First let the clothing dry according to its care instructions and remove remaining surface hair mechanically.

Use a lint roller, clothing brush, rubber glove, or another fabric-safe method. Hoover recommends cleaning the dryer’s lint filter regularly because pet hair can accumulate there during drying. 

If hair repeatedly remains after washing, change the preparation process. Remove loose fur before the washer, separate heavily contaminated items, and keep the washing machine and dryer clean.

How to Prevent Dog Hair from Getting on Clothes

Prevention can significantly reduce laundry work. Regular grooming removes loose fur before it reaches furniture, floors, bedding, and clothing. Speed Queen recommends routine grooming and regular household cleaning as part of its pet-hair prevention advice. 

Keeping pet bedding separate from everyday clothing can also help. Rinse recommends washing pet bedding separately and removing loose hair from it before laundering. 

You can also create pet-free areas around wardrobes and clean-clothing storage. Keeping closet doors closed and storing freshly washed clothes promptly can reduce new hair accumulation.

Conclusion

Knowing how to remove dog hair from clothes is mostly about choosing the right stage for removal. Start by getting loose hair off the garment with a lint roller, rubber glove, brush, or similar tool. For heavily covered washable items, a short no-heat dryer cycle before washing can help loosen hair so it is captured by the lint filter. 

For clothes that still have hair after washing, remove it mechanically rather than automatically running another wash cycle. Regular grooming, separating pet bedding, cleaning laundry appliances, and keeping clean clothing away from pets can make the problem much easier to manage over time.