Question:

Is there any way to remove cat and dog hair from my clothing and bedding? Even after washing, the hair is still entrenched.

Answer:

Prevent excessive shedding in the first place by “keeping your pets well groomed,” says Sherry Field-Almaraz, owner of the Paws pet hotels, in New York City. She suggests brushing pets as often as you can—particularly in the fall, which is high season for shedding. “Most animals love it, and it’s a nice bonding experience for both pet and owner,” she says. To minimize matting, brush your pets’ fur before bathing them, or bring them to a groomer for a brushing every few weeks. Thick-coated or long-haired dogs (Shih Tzus, Akitas, bearded collies) and cats (Persians, Himalayans) may require more frequent grooming.

To remove the pet hair that inevitably attaches itself to your belongings, follow these guidelines from Lindsey Wieber, a co-owner of the Laundress, a luxury fabric-care retailer and detergent line in New York City.

Before you wash your clothes, “shake out your clothing just as you would shake sand from a beach towel,” she says. “This will remove any loose hairs before you begin the laundering process.”

For pet accessories like bedding and jackets, use an animal-specific detergent, like the Laundress Le Chien et Le Chat, which features a higher amount of enzymes than traditional detergents to help remove hair and lint ($16 for 16 ounces, www.thelaundress.com).

Pet hair can build up in your washer and dryer, so clean out your dryer’s lint filter and “run a regular laundry cycle without clothes using plain white vinegar in place of detergent” once or twice a month, says Wieber.

To lift hair from upholstery, bedding, car seats, and clothes, wipe surfaces with the Pet Sponge Hair Remover, a washable rubber sponge ($5 for two, www.thecatconnection.com).

Danielle Armstrong
Real Simple Home Department