How to control pet hair in less time
Owning a dog or cat can be a lot of fun – but it can also be a hassle if they shed frequently. During seasonal changes, your pet may constantly shed fur throughout the house, covering your furniture, clinging to your clothes, and triggering the allergies of anyone who sets foot in your home.
With enough diligence, you can get the fur under control, but no one wants to turn pet fur management into a full-time job. How can you control unwanted pet hair in less time?
Get a Robot Vacuum
One of your best options is to get a robot vacuum cleaner. These sophisticated machines are capable of vacuuming your entire house (including both carpeted and hardwood floors in most cases) without any manual intervention. When setting up your new devices, you’ll need to decide on a dock location, set the parameters for where the machine will patrol, and set a schedule for it to operate. When done, you can set it free – and watch as it collects most of the shed pet fur for you.
There are a few caveats to this approach, of course. For starters, your robot vacuum won’t be able to get to every surface; it can’t climb up the side of your couch. You’ll still need to clean certain areas manually. Additionally, it’s a good idea to clean out the robot vacuum on a regular basis so it can continue to do its best.
Brush Your Pet Regularly
You can’t stop your pet from shedding, but you can prevent them from leaving fur everywhere they walk. Taking a few minutes to brush your pet, either with a brush or a specialized glove with brushing capabilities, will allow you to manually remove most of their loose fur in a controlled environment.
Generally speaking, it’s much faster and easier to remove the fur from your pet directly than to wait until they shed it and clean it up later. Plus, brushing your pet can be a bonding experience; many pets love the experience of being brushed by their owners. Try to commit to brushing at least a couple of times per week, and possibly once every day.
Invest in the Right Food (and Supplements)
It’s possible for pets to shed more heavily if they’re not getting all their nutritional requirements. Make sure you’re investing in the best quality food you can afford and consider giving your pet a fatty acid supplement for a healthier coat as well. Be sure to talk to your vet about your pet’s specific nutritional needs and get their recommendations.
Use Temporary Covers
If the problem is out of control, consider making use of temporary covers on surfaces where you don’t want pet hair to accumulate. A seat cover on your favorite couch may not be the most aesthetically pleasing choice, but it will make it easy to remove the pet hair immediately – and preserve the integrity of the furniture underneath.
Consider Bathing
Even after brushing, some of your pet’s loose hair will stubbornly cling to them – eventually coming loose later as your pet spreads their fur all over their environment. To prevent this, consider giving your pet a more thorough bath – with a nice shampoo to improve their coat.
Change Your Air Filters
Professionals recommend you change the air filters in your home every 60 to 90 days, but when your pet is shedding like crazy, it may be in your best interests to change them even more often. Air filters can become clogged with dander and pet hair quickly, especially during peak shedding season, and replacing them can help improve your indoor air quality (while protecting your HVAC system simultaneously).
Do a Little Every Day
Some people get overwhelmed by cleaning pet hair because they tackle it as an occasional big job. Instead, you can save time and keep your home cleaner by doing a little bit each day. Take 5 minutes to brush your pet, another 5 to do some light sweeping, and another minute to throw on some seat covers when you go to bed. It makes the job much less overwhelming.
Get Everyone Involved
You can also save time and improve efficiency by recruiting everyone you can to help with the chore. If you live with family members, ask each one to chip in what they can to control the pet fur problem. For example, you can divvy up responsibilities or assign a different person to each room. It’s less work for each individual and it results in a cleaner home.
There’s no perfect strategy for pet hair control. However, these tactics can help you keep control over your environment without wasting hours of your time. Give them a try the next time we’re about to enter shedding season!