Here’s how to get dog hair out of clothes:
- 1. Dry the clothes for 10 minutes on a heat-free setting
- 2. Shake out the clothes
- 3. Use a lint roller or tape
- 4. Machine wash with cold water
- 5. Dry with wool dryer balls
- 6. Clean your lint trap
Dogs: we love them like family. They’re loyal, goofy, and make coming home the highlight of your day. But there’s one thing about them no one loves: dog hair. On your couch, in your car, and, worst of all, clinging to your favorite black sweater like it pays rent.
Dog hair is designed to insulate and protect: tiny, lightweight strands with microscopic barbs that latch onto fibers, especially textured ones like cotton, fleece, or wool. Add in a little static electricity, and suddenly every outfit you own doubles as a dog bed.
The good news? With the right strategy, you can kick dog hair off your wardrobe and keep it from making a comeback.
1. Dry Clothes for 10 Minutes on a Heat-Free Setting
Before you even hit the wash, give your clothes a tumble in the dryer. No heat, just air fluff. The movement loosens stubborn pet hair, while the dryer’s filter traps it before it has a chance to reattach.
Think of it as pre-gaming for your laundry: a little warmup cycle that makes the real wash much more effective.
2. Shake Out the Clothes
Once your dryer finishes, take your clothes outside and give them a good shake. It’s low-tech but surprisingly effective—especially after that fluff cycle has already broken the hair loose.
Yes, you’ll look slightly unhinged whipping your hoodie around in the driveway, but it beats pulling dog hair off with your bare hands for the next two hours.
3. Use a Lint Roller or Tape
When in doubt, roll it out. A classic lint roller (or even some wide packing tape) is still one of the fastest ways to pull off dog hair, especially from smaller areas like sleeves or collars.
4. Machine Wash with Cold Water
Once you’ve shaken and rolled, it’s time for the wash. Cold water is your best friend here: It reduces static, keeps fibers from opening up, and makes it harder for dog hair to reattach mid-cycle.
Some dog owners swear by tossing in a half-cup of white vinegar during the rinse, which can soften fabric fibers and release trapped hair.
But the real magic ingredient is Laundry Sauce: the world’s best-smelling laundry detergent pods.
No matter what your care tag says, these must-haves keep your clothes looking and smelling their best—minus the guesswork.
5. Use Dryer Balls or Dryer Sheets
Our wool dryer balls help break up clumps of dog hair in the dryer and keep fabrics moving freely, which means less static and less cling. Dryer sheets work too, adding an anti-static coating that makes it harder for hair to stick in the first place.
6. Clean Your Lint Trap
This sounds obvious, but it’s a step a lot of people skip: Clean out your dryer’s lint trap before and after running a load of hairy clothes. A clogged lint screen can’t capture as much pet hair, which means more of it ends up plastered right back onto your jeans.
Bonus: Keeping the lint trap clear also helps your dryer work more efficiently.
Common Questions About Getting Dog Hair Out of Clothes
If you’re dealing with dog hair on the daily, you probably have a few questions. Let’s tackle the big ones.
Can You Put Clothes with Dog Hair in the Washing Machine?
Yes, but always give them that no-heat tumble first. Otherwise, the hair tends to ball up and stick to the inside of the washer drum. Or worse, clog your machine’s drain.
Why Do My Clothes Still Have Dog Hair After Washing?
Usually it’s because the static in your fabrics is holding onto the hair. Cold water, vinegar, and dryer balls all help reduce that cling.
Does Fabric Spray Help Remove Dog Hair from Clothes?
Yes! A good fabric spray can loosen fibers, reduce static, and make it easier to brush or shake off pet hair. And while you’re at it, why not make your clothes smell incredible?
Laundry Sauce Fabric Refresher Spray doesn’t just fight static—it infuses fibers with irresistible scents like Australian Sandalwood or French Saffron. So while you’re de-fuzzing, you’re also upgrading your outfit’s aroma.
How to Prevent Dog Hair from Clinging to Clothes
Getting rid of dog hair is one thing. Stopping it before it sticks? That’s the dream. Here’s how to get closer:
- 1. Brush your dog regularly. The less loose hair floating around your house, the less will end up on your clothes.
- 2. Choose tighter-weave fabrics. Smooth materials like leather, silk, or polyester blends don’t attract hair the way cotton and fleece do.
- 3. Run an anti-static spray. Spritzing clothes before you wear them helps repel clingy strands.
- 4. Keep a “dog outfit.” Have one go-to sweatshirt or pair of sweats for cuddle sessions, so your everyday clothes aren’t constantly under fire.
Don’t Let Dog Hair Ruin Your Closet
If you live with a dog, you’ll never totally escape the fuzz. But you can absolutely keep it from hijacking your wardrobe. A quick pre-dry tumble, a little vinegar, a lint roller in your back pocket, and suddenly the battle feels a lot less one-sided.
And while you’re at it, make your laundry smell as good as it looks. Laundry Sauce detergent pods and fabric sprays don’t just clean—they elevate, turning even your dog-hairiest hoodie into something that feels like it belongs in a boutique, not a kennel.
