If you take your dog for regular car rides, you’re already familiar with the constant struggle of keeping hair off surfaces, clothing, and just about everywhere else. All types of dog hair can stick to fabric and textured surfaces thanks to static electricity, but some dog hair is worse, with the power to weave itself into materials.
Dog hair removal is a struggle on no matter what surface you’re dealing with, but cleaning a vehicle interior is a unique challenge. That’s because your car is likely lined with all sorts of materials, and the inside of a car is filled with so many nooks and crannies it can be hard to access all the hair. You’ll need different plans of attack, with some areas of the car cleaning up rather easy and others trapping in the hair. In this article, we’re highlighting our favourite methods for removing dog hair from cars.
But first, let’s review some of the worst materials that tend to attract and trap dog hair:
- Fabric with texture: Any material with nap or texture that stands up will be more effective at trapping hair.
- Wool and knits: Similar to texture and nap, knit fabrics offer more surface area for dog hair.
- Velvet and velour: This materials do a great job attracting and trapping hair.
- Fleece: Because of its surface area and ability to create static, fleece is one of the worst materials for dog hair.
These materials are good at resisting dog hair, making the removal process far easier:
- Leather: This durable materials repels dog hair, and is often used to upholster the interior of vehicles.
- Denim: You’ve probably noticed your jeans don’t get much hair on them. This very tightly woven fabric does a good job shaking the hair.
- Canvas: This tightly woven fabric not only resists dog hair but also dirt.
- Polyester and nylon: Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can be dog-hair friendly if they have a tight weave and are treated to minimize the static.
- Satin and silk: The smooth and slippery surface of satin and silk does not allow dog hair to cling.
In all likelihood, your vehicle is employing a number of different materials to upholster and line the interior. Some will be easier to clean than others, while some will be a straight up pain to access.
Here are 8 methods to try when removing dog hair from your vehicle:
Rubber Glove
All dog owners should be familiar with the effectiveness of a rubber glove – you may have even used one directly on your furry friend for de-shedding. They work wonders at snatching up dog hairs from different fabrics. In your car, try wetting the glove and passing over surfaces and upholstery with it. Rinse off when it gets full and repeat.
Vacuum
The vacuum cleaner is the first line of defence for cleaning the interior of a vehicle and should probably be your go-to before any other method. It’s hard to beat the power of suction. Using a special pet attachment will be a game changer, which works alongside the suction to irritate the surface and lift out the dog hair.
Fabric Softener
A lesser-known strategy for removing dog hair from a vehicle is the combination of fabric softener and water. Mix up a solution into a spray bottle and lightly coat your problem surfaces with mist. This will help loosen up the fabric. Then go in with a microfiber cloth and mop up all the dog hair you can.
Lint Rollers
The lint roller is a dog owner’s best friend. If you’ve got a dog that sheds, you’re probably used to grabbing the lint roller every time you leave the house. The adhesive material does a great job picking up dog hair while also applying constant light pressure. We don’t recommend attempting to clean your entire vehicle with a lint roller, but definitely stow one to touch up your interior on the go.
Hair Curlers
When you’re done styling your hair, take your Velcro hair curlers in the car to remove dog hair from carpeted surfaces. Similar to a lint roller, hair curlers work great for those smaller, hard to reach areas like between and underneath the seats.
Wire Brush
Using a wire brush is another way to loosen trapped hair from upholstered and carpet surfaces. You just need to be careful not to apply too much pressure, as a wire brush could damage or irritate certain surfaces. A gently pass should loosen the majority of hair to make it easier for vacuuming or wiping off.
Balloons
If you’re feeling creative or have some extra birthday balloons on hand, an inflated balloon will work surprisingly well for removing dog hair. Thanks to its ability to generate static electricity, simply rubbing the inflated balloon over trouble surfaces will literally attract dog hair.
Hire the Professionals
If you’ve exhausted all efforts, chances are there’s still leftover dog hair stuck throughout the interior. For something like dog hair, there really is no replacement for professional auto detailing services.
At Mill Bay Auto Spa, we’ll give your vehicles interior a thorough and meticulous clean. Will take out the seats and use shampoo, vacuum, UV protection, leather treatment and steam to give your car a clean like its never seen. Contact us today to request a service.