As much as I love my fur babies, I don’t love having everything covered in pet hair, especially my clothing. It can sometimes seem impossible to get rid of. Finding the best pet hair remover for laundry is a huge advantage in eliminating these pesky hairs from your clothing and linens. Removing animal hairs from the laundry is a tricky process. Pet owners can use laundry boosters, dryer additives, and pretreatment to combat dog and cat hair in the wash. I look at some of the top choices made specifically for getting pet hairs out of the laundry.
| Lint Roller | Hair Catcher | For Washer | For Dryer | Multiuse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| PetLovers Extra Sticky | Weeping Willow | Heinz White Vinegar | Smart Sheep Dryer Balls | Pet Parents FurBall |
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| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Best Laundry Pet Hair Removers
I made my top picks based on ease of use, effectiveness, quality of products, customer feedback, pricing, and more. These removal tools can be used in the washer and sometimes the dryer to remove pet hairs as clothes are cleaned. How well these methods work depends on the specific kind of fur and the washing method. One of the most effective ways to remove hair is to get it before it reaches the washing machine.
One insider tip: you can put clothing in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes on low or no heat before putting it in the washer, which will remove a good amount of animal fur.
Keep in mind that not all these products will work for every dog.
Best Lint Roller: PetLovers Extra Sticky Lint Roller Review
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The lint roller is a tried-and-true method of removing fuzz or debris, including hairs from fabric. While tedious, this method is incredibly effective and prevents the fuzz from building up in your washers and dryers. There are many to choose from, and most work to some degree. The PetLovers Extra Sticky Lint Roller is a top choice. This comes with two lint rollers and 450 sticky sheets. The handle is designed to get 360-degree rotation. Sheets are easy to peel and can be easily disposed of.
This extra sticky option picks up dog and cat fur, dander, lint, and dust. It is excellent for pretreating the laundry, the car, the couch, and just about any other surface. Users report this is effective on delicate fabric without damage. The extra stickiness of the sheets makes a huge difference, as many lint rollers just do not cut it to remove animal fuzz.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extra sticky | Tricky to replace the roller (pull right on the middle of the cardboard tube) |
| Easy to use | Sticky sheets dry out |
| 360-degree rotation | |
| Works on multiple types of fabric |
Price
- Starts at $16.95
Learn More About Lint Rollers In Our ChomChom Roller Review
Best Catcher Tool: Weeping Willow Pet Hair Catcher For Laundry Review
This laundry catcher uses high-quality nylon. These are round in design so as not to damage the fabric. Works to catch fur, as well as remove wrinkles. This product is for the washing machine. It is simple and easy to use and saves the trouble of pulling pet fur off clothing by hand or using a lint roller. It does not scratch clothing and reduces drying time. Use more balls for more effect. Not for use with wool, fleece, silk, or high-end items. Balls are designed to create higher friction to remove those pesky bits of fur and lint.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Small size saves washer space | Must clean off debris by hand |
| Effective at separating hair from fabric | Not 100% effective |
| Best for small loads | Not great with larger loads |
Price
- Starts at Check Amazon for availability
Best For Washer: Heinz Distilled White Vinegar Review
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White vinegar can be very effective for removing animal hairs from laundry. It is made from sun-ripened grain and water and works as a natural fabric softener, making it easier to release the fur from the fabric. Half a cup of distilled white vinegar added to the wash cycle can effectively remove animal hairs from your clothing. Vinegar is all-natural and very effective at removing stains, so it works in more ways than one to boost your laundry.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural | Vinegar smell |
| Easy to use | |
| Widely available | |
| Long trusted method | |
| Inexpensive |
Price
- Starts at $11.86 ($0.74 / Fl Oz)
Best For Dryer: Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
These 100% natural wool laundry balls help soften clothing and remove animal fur from the wash. Toss these into the dryer for a gentle and effective animal fur removal method. These dryer balls help reduce drying time and prevent static on clothes. They can be used for over 1,000 loads, making them well worth their price. They are very effective for pet parents with sensitive skin, babies, and allergies.
The company is a small business run by two women and works to be climate-friendly. There are no synthetics or chemical additives at all. Use three balls for small and five or six for large wash loads. You must regularly clean out your lint trap, which helps keep your dryer in shape.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduce drying time | Noisy |
| Prevent wrinkles and remove static | Does not remove 100% |
| No harsh chemicals, 100% natural | Can leave static in some loads |
| Safe for sensitive skin | |
| Reusable and long-lasting, 2 to 4 years on average |
Price
- Starts at $19.95 ($3.32 / Count)
My Personal Experience With Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
I have used these dryer balls for several years. I tried them due to having sensitive skin and having a child who is allergic to many laundry products, especially artificial fragrances. These work better than most other lint remover products I’ve found and do a great job at removing pet hair. They are wonderful for my child’s sensitive skin and have never caused any bad reaction. I highly recommend these for keeping your laundry fresh and free of pet hair.
What About Bounce Dryer Sheets, Vamoosh, & Pet Parents?
These are top-rated products that perform very well.
Bounce Pet Hair Dryer Sheets Review
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Dryer sheets are an inexpensive and effective way to remove hair and fur from clothing, and these Bounce sheets are explicitly made for that purpose. Bounce claims these sheets have three times more removal power than their regular dryer sheets. Sheets also reduce static and wrinkles and keep the fabric soft.
These dryer sheets are not only more powerful, but they are also twice as large as traditional ones. Bounce pet hair dryer sheets come in scented and non-scented. Check your dryer filter regularly with these; they will work overtime and collect a large amount of debris, fur, and lint. Highly reviewed, and most owners report a significant improvement. Some owners report needing to clean out the lint trap more than once per load if they have multiple or high-shedding dogs and cats.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Requires more frequent clearing of the lint trap |
| Scented and non-scented | May take one or two loads to start working |
| Very effective | Some owners report residue on their clothing |
| 2 times larger than regular sheets | |
| 3 times the removal power |
Price
- Starts at $13.14 ($0.07 / Count)
Vamoosh Pet Hair Dissolver Review
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This product is slightly different than the others. It does not remove animal fur from the fabric. Instead, it works to dissolve it. This is not for clothing but is great for animal bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and mats. Toss this in on the hot wash cycle, which will dissolve cat and dog fur. The product leaves no residue, eliminates odors, and leaves your dog or cat’s bedding clean and fresh. No chlorine bleach is used. It must be used in water that is 85-95 degrees Celsius.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dissolves rather than removes | May need multiple uses to see the effect |
| No residue is left behind | Not 100% effective |
| Great for fine, wispy coats | Some owners report more of a clumping action rather than a dissolving |
| Works on thick fabric like pillows or couch covers |
Price
- Starts at $13.64
Pet Parents FurBall Review
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This is a nonstick remover. It is safe for use in both the washer and dryer and works to separate animal hairs from clothing. Along with removing bits of fuzz and hair, it helps clothing dry quicker and prevents wrinkles.
This looks like a toy but is not, so keep it safely away from pets in your laundry room. The unique shape without hard edges and the unique scrubbing droplets keep clothes and fabric damage-free and are not hard on your washer or dryer. Made from proprietary RSX material, this serves as both a lint and fur remover and helps to reduce static.
I especially like that this option is safe for clothing and can be used in both the washer and dryer. It comes with two, so you have one for each machine. It works on dog and cat hairs. This one has a lot of positive reviews, and owners like that it involves no chemicals and is damage-free.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique design | Can be loud when in machines |
| Damage free | May get stuck behind the dryer door |
| Chemical free | Not 100% effective |
| Durable | Some owners report breaking after a few months |
| For both washer and dryer | Tough on machines |
| Reduces wrinkles and softens clothes |
Price
- Starts at $14.99 ($7.50 / Count)
How To Reduce Pet Hairs On Laundry
Fur parents face the challenge of having animal fuzzies on furniture, clothing, cars, and around the house. This is simply part of animal ownership. Keeping furry bits off clothing is almost impossible, but animal owners can try and reduce it with a few tricks. Removal of hairs and fur is helpful to keep your home and clothes clean, but also to help reduce pet allergies for human family members.
6 Pet Hair Removal Tips
- Regular grooming, brushing, and coat care will keep your furry baby’s coat in top condition and reduce the amount a dog or cat sheds. Always look for debris or mats in the coat, and work gently to remove them.
- Vacuum regularly, even every day, if need be. Using the vacuum daily and on furniture reduces the amount of shedding left behind that clings to clothes. Investing in a high-quality vacuum or robot vacuum that can handle animal shedding is a must for any dog or cat owner.
- Try removing hairs and fuzz before washing. Removing as much as possible before washing is tedious but highly effective. Lint rollers, fabric brushes, and hand-held steamers are all effective tools. One trick, use latex gloves to separate hairs from fabric. A kitchen sponge or tape are also good picks.
- Clean out the washer and dryer regularly to remove fuzz and buildup, keep those appliances in top working order, and keep the hair-removing effectiveness at peak capacity.
- Clean your lint trap after every load to avoid the build-up of hair in the machine.
- Use couch covers or furniture protectors to shield the fabric from accumulating hairs and dander that spread when people sit down.
What Should I Do If My Dog Sheds Excessively?
Most dogs will shed regularly throughout the year and may have periods of time when they shed more due to seasonal temperature changes. However, a dog suddenly losing more hair or excessive shedding should be examined by a veterinarian. If you believe your dog is losing more hair than usual, contact your veterinary medical provider for next steps. You will want to rule out alopecia, skin irritation, infection, or other underlying medical causes like skin cancer. Keeping up with regular grooming and nail clipping is one of the best ways owners can keep their dog’s coat in top shape and help prevent excess shedding.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle is a lifelong dog lover and animal advocate. She has spent many years surrounded by pet hair and knows how hard it can be to keep it out of the laundry, and she has tried out hundreds of products to achieve this goal. She has a special place in her heart for rescue animals and has given many rescue animals a loving home. Danielle works tirelessly as a professional researcher and writer to bring pet owners the most recent, valid, and valuable information. With the help of her two rescue pups, Daisy and Falkor, she has reviewed and tested over 50 pet food brands.
