Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Clean Up Cat Hair: 10 Easy Ways

Persian cat and a pile of shedded cat hair

Cat hair has a way of finding its way all over everything in your home. Whether your cat has touched the item or not, it probably has cat hair on it. Cat hair is lightweight and can easily get moved around by airflow, leading to it landing on everything from clothes to curtains to hard surfaces. There are multiple ways you can clean up cat hair and keep the hairball tumbleweeds in your home to a minimum, though!

divider cat paws oct 2024

The 10 Ways on How to Clean Up Cat Hair

1. Lint Roller

The humble lint roller is one of the easiest and fastest ways to clean up cat hair, especially from fabrics. Old school lint rollers are made of fabric, while the more modern lint rollers are made from a special sticky tape with the sticky side facing outward. They’re extremely easy to find in most stores, including convenience stores. Some companies have even started manufacturing lint rollers that are made specifically for cleaning up pet hair.

lint roller with animal fur
Image Credit: Ekaterina_Minaeva, Shutterstock

2. The Dryer

Tossing your fabric items that have cat hair on them in the dryer is a super easy way to remove cat hair. If you put a dry item in the dryer and run it, the hair will usually get pulled from the item and into the lint trap. If you add a dryer sheet, especially one that’s formulated for dealing with pet hair and odors, then you’ll likely have even more success in removing the cat hair. Just don’t forget that some delicate fabrics shouldn’t be put into the dryer, even if they’re dry and it’s only for a couple of minutes.


3. Washing and Drying Products

There are multiple products on the market now that are geared toward removing pet hair. Some of these are sticky silicone objects that can be thrown right into the dryer with your clothes, and others are made to be added to the washing machine to help trap loose hair and keep it from settling onto other clothes or clogging the drain. Since there are multiple products available now, it’s ideal to spend time reading reviews to ensure you’re getting a product that other people have had success with.

Laundry Hair Catcher
Image Credit: Yena20, Shutterstock

4. White Vinegar

White vinegar is kind of a magic ingredient in the cleaning world. It’s extremely inexpensive, easy to find, and it serves multiple purposes. White vinegar can be added directly into your washing machine’s cycle to help loosen the cat hair from the fabric, making it easier to wash away. As an added bonus, white vinegar also does a good job of eliminating unpleasant odors, which can help get the “pet” smell out of your clothes as they wash.


5. Damp Microfiber Cloth

Microfiber is a great fabric for picking up things like pet hair, and it can be used on its own to do so. However, if you use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe up cat hair, you’ll likely have more success in removing the hair and the damp microfiber will reduce the risk of you unintentionally loosening the hair only for it to float away and land elsewhere.

Damp microfiber will catch hair and dust, making it easier to clean up. You can also add a small amount of white vinegar to the water you dampen your microfiber with, which can make it more effective for removing cat hair from fabric surfaces.

microfiber cloths
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

6. Dusting and Sweeping Pads

Swiffer is the brand that we all know, but most stores also have store-brand versions of sweeping and dust pads as well. These pads are made to grab loose hair and dust, as opposed to simply moving all of it around and not cleaning up the mess. These pads are an excellent option for sweeping hard floors and dusting hard surfaces, including fan blades, furniture, and lamps. If you’re dealing with lots of cat hair, you may need to use multiple pads to clean up the mess.


7. Carpet Rake

Carpet rakes and rubber brooms are becoming more popular for cleaning carpets and some fabric surfaces. These products are used much like you’d use a rake to create a leaf pile. The rubber helps to grab the hair, pulling it all out of the fabric and allowing you to add it to a single pile that can then be vacuumed or picked up. These rakes may be difficult to find in some stores, but they’re widely available online these days.

Pet Dog Cat Carpet Rake
Image Credit: GS23, Shutterstock

8. Vacuum Cleaner

The most obvious way to clean up cat hair is to use a vacuum cleaner. Vacuums that are created to deal with pet hair are ideal for this job, but any vacuum will work. Most vacuums include multiple attachments that can be used to clean up pet hair. Some even have rubber ends that function similarly to a carpet rake to loosen the hair and then vacuum it up. Just remember to clean and maintain your vacuum to prevent bad odors and clogs.


9. Pet Hair Removers

There are multiple pet hair removers on the market that are similar in function to lint rollers or carpet rakes. They often consist of rough mesh, Velcro, or fine metal. These products can be used on many types of surfaces, with the rougher materials being excellent for use on carpets and furniture.

Some of these products are silicone covered with a sticky residue, similar to a sticky lint roller, but they can be washed, dried, and then used again and again. Make sure to follow the instructions for use with the product you select since you may cause damage to surfaces if you use the product improperly.

Pet Hair Removers
Image Credit: Yekatseryna Netuk, Shutterstock

10. Brushing Your Cat

Brushing your cat isn’t going to clean up the hair that’s already in your home, but if you can keep the hair to a minimum on your cat, you won’t need as much help cleaning up. Brushing your cat regularly can reduce the loose hair and dander they’d otherwise be dropping all over your home. It can also maintain the health of their coat and skin.

Tired of seeing cat hair all over your house? Well, we've got a little secret we wanted to share with you. Do you want to know how we keep cat shedding to a minimum? The Hepper Cat Brush is how!

Hepper Deshedding Cat Brush
  • ONE PUSH RELEASE - This kitten brush / cat brush pops out fur with just a simple press, leaving you...
  • DURABLE - Cat shedding can be a tough ordeal. Made of resilient ABS plastic and metal bristles with...
  • COMFORTABLE - A cat fur brush with 60 degree angled, fine bristles and rubber stoppers will bring...

Created to be gentle on your cat’s skin while removing excess hair, this brush is perfect for weekly grooming sessions. Click here if you’re ready to say goodbye to loose cat fur!

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

If your cat seems to be shedding excessively or is developing bald patches, consult your vet. This is abnormal and can be caused by parasites, behavioral issues, and medical conditions.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

divider cat paws oct 2024

Conclusion

Cat hair can be quite pesky, and if you enjoy wearing clothes that are free of cat hair, it can be difficult to manage. Finding the right combination of products for your home can be a lifesaver. You’ll need to stay on top of things to keep the cat hair in your home to a minimum, though. If you allow it to get out of control, it’ll be even more difficult to clean up!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Doucefleur, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Long Does Cat Dander Stay on Clothes? Facts & Tips to Reduce It

Cat dander can be a problem for cat lovers who suffer from allergies, especially if your cat enjoys being curled on your lap...

pet hair brush with pet fur clump after grooming cat

6 Tips for Sharing Your Home with Cats You Must Know

When we decide to welcome a cat into our home, we can expect a few changes to occur. Your bathroom will have a...

young cat owner playing with her pet at home

What Cleaning Products Are Safe for Cats? 10 Vet Approved Items to Keep at Home

Cleaning when you have cats can be a worrying business. Common cleaning agents like ammonia, chlorine (bleach), phenols, rubbing alcohol, formaldehyde, benzalkonium chloride,...

cleaning-a-dirty-mattress

How Much Do Snowshoe Cats Shed? Our Vet Answers & Provides Tips

The Snowshoe cat is a medium-to-large breed of cat. Originally a natural mutation found in a litter of Siamese kittens, the breed was...

snowshoe siamese cat in the grass

More related

hand holding shedded cat hair

7 Creative, Crafty Uses for Cat Hair (With Pictures)

While hair floating around the house can be the bane of many cat parents’ lives, those fluffy bundles can be more useful than...

cat lying on the sofa wearing a witch's hat for halloween

5 DIY Kids Cat Costumes for Halloween They’ll Love 

Donning a creative and quirky Halloween costume is an eagerly anticipated event for kids each year, but it can be stressful for parents...

cat disturbs a woman doing yoga inside the apartment

How to Have a Cat in a Small Apartment: 8 Expert Tips & Tricks

If you live in an apartment, you may wonder if getting a companion animal is suitable for your small living quarters. Being a...

close up of a cat paw

How to Clean Cat Paws: Vet-Approved Step-by-Step Guide

Cats are typically considered naturally clean creatures. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t experience some poor hygiene problems, especially if they spend...

Keep reading

Cat Strokes: Signs, Causes, Diagnosis, Care & FAQ (Vet Answer)

Although relatively rare, cats experience strokes. A stroke occurs when there is an abrupt interruption in the blood supply to your cat’s brain. It can be very frightening if your cat experiences a stroke, and it is essential to take...

vet examining the sick cat with stethoscope

Why Do Cats Like Q Tips? 3 Possible Reasons & Vet-Reviewed Safety Tips

If you have ever noticed your cat chasing after strange objects and trying to chew on them, you probably understand how fun it is for cats to play around with Q tips. In your cat’s mind, Q tips are strangely...

Wooden cotton swabs and the paw of a gray cat on bright yellow background

Are Zebra Plants (Haworthia) Poisonous to Cats? Vet-Reviewed Houseplants Examined

Haworthia plants—also known as “zebra plants”—are stylish, easy-to-care-for houseplants popular with beginners and long-time plant lovers alike. If you have cats, it’s normal to want to get the lowdown on which plants may be harmful to them. Fortunately, Haworthias are...

Catster_Are Zebra Plants Poisonous to Cats

Why Did My Cat Stop Sleeping With Me? 8 Possible Reasons & What to Do

Do you ever wonder why your cat stopped sleeping with you? It’s a question that has puzzled cat owners for years. There are many reasons this might happen, but there are also some unexpected reasons you might not have considered....

Cat sleeping

Why Is My Cat Licking All Her Fur Off? Vet Approved Reasons & Tips

Cats are perfectionists in grooming, dedicating plenty of time each day to removing loose hair, dirt, and other debris from their coats. Catching your cat grooming several times per day isn’t abnormal, but if your cat is licking to the...

Chinchilla Persian Cat licking its paw

Can Cats Get Addicted to Catnip? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

If you have a cat or two, you’ve probably heard about catnip, which is a plant that cats seem to enjoy more than any other. Catnip has some rather interesting effects on cats, to say the least. When exposed to...

cat-eating-catnip

Can Cats Eat Collard Greens? Vet-Approved Nutrition Advice

Plain collard greens are perfectly fine for cats to eat. They provide a good source of fiber, along with nutrients and minerals. Cats cannot digest these greens quite as well as humans or dogs can, though, so they mostly act...

Can Cats Eat Collard Greens

Why Do Cats Stretch Their Claws? 7 Vet Reviewed Reasons & Tips

If you’ve been around cats, it’s evident they’re closer to their wild roots than dogs. While humans welcomed canines into their lives up to 40,000 years ago,1 it took us longer to warm up to felines, with domestication going back...

cat paws and sharps claws