“Wool in a house where a cat lives is not garbage, but seasoning” - do you know the saying? Removing pet hair from the sofa and carpet sometimes seems like an endless and insoluble problem. However, there are still effective ways to get rid of the results of molting, and we will tell you about them now.
The ubiquitous hairs of cats and dogs remain not only on the carpet and sofa, but also get clogged into the fabric of clothing, into the farthest corners of the bed, end up on our plates and even in our summer rolls. And this is not only untidy and ugly, but sometimes also dangerous. At a minimum, airborne hairs can clog the airways of children and adults, causing constant itching of the mucous membranes, as well as coughing and sneezing. At the most, the problem may be more serious, including an allergy to wool and the source of various infections (for example, mites).
Therefore, we will try to minimize the consequences of having pets in the house.
Rubber glove
When you run a rubber glove over the wool, you will notice how the fibers stick to it. This is achieved due to the generation of static electricity. This method is effective in cleaning furniture and carpets from the hair of cats or other pets with soft fur.
You can also use a glove to penetrate the folds of the upholstery or the places where parts are fastened.
Features of caring for a long-haired breed
Dogs change their fur in spring and autumn. If the pet has short hair, then caring for it is much easier. But long-haired dogs require more careful care. Buy a special slicker brush to remove dead hairs and rid your pet of their remains.
The long-haired breed requires daily brushing or combing, and when shedding, twice a day. If this is not done, the dog will begin to itch, leaving clumps of hair.
To keep dog hair as small as possible, the long-haired breed requires mandatory haircuts and bathing twice a month. If your dog loses a lot of hair after bathing, it means you chose the wrong shampoo.
Choose the right hygiene products, feed only fresh food, monitor your pet’s health, then your dog will cause you less trouble.
Scotch
If you don't have a clothes roller on hand, wide tape can replace it. Wrap it around your hand with the adhesive side facing out and run it over the upholstery.
Renew the tape as it gets dirty. There is another way to remove wool using tape. You need to stick it on the surface, press it down with your palm and peel it off.
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Your favorite is a Chihuahua
Chihuahua is one of the most beloved dog breeds. There are smooth-haired breeds, and there are fluffy, cute creatures. But both of them shed. If shedding occurs frequently and very intensely, then take the dog to the veterinarian. The dog may be developing a disease. It could be:
- Hormonal disease.
- Allergy.
- Stress, eczema, fungus.
- Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine glands.
- Parasites in the gastrointestinal tract. Every three months you need to get rid of worms. Once every 6 months, take a test for the presence of parasites, as well as a blood test.
How to ease the shedding period of a Chihuahua:
- Brush the coat daily with a special brush.
- Wash with shampoos from the anti-shed series. You can wash your dog only 2-3 times a year, and also when it is heavily soiled or in preparation for an exhibition.
- Feed with special food specifically for wool. Do not buy food by weight, it may be stale.
- Give dog vitamins A and B.
- Take your dog for walks in the fresh air more often, allowing him to run around more.
- Don't wrap it up too much. Overheating may cause the fur to fall out in clumps.
Wet broom
A broom can also be used to efficiently collect wool from a carpet. To do this, wet its rods, shake off excess water and sweep the floor. The hairs will stick to the broom, so they will need to be removed periodically.
Sweeping the floor is more difficult than vacuuming, but you definitely won't clog the vacuum cleaner.
Each type of surface has its own characteristics for cleaning pet hair. You can use one or more methods in turn to achieve perfect cleanliness in your home.
Looking for the cause of molting
Discipline is the key to order. First of all, it is good if your pet is initially given a comfortable and safe place in your apartment - with a bed, toys, and a good view. Then there is less chance that the animal will occupy your chairs, sofa cushions or even your bed at any free time.
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Too much wool in the house? This means something went wrong. All animals have a period of seasonal molting - this is a given, which you should be prepared for when getting a pet. In this case, you should take extra care of your cat or dog during this period.
Thorough brushing several times a day (preferably outside the apartment), bathing with special hair products, regularly stroking the animal with a damp palm, using special rubber wet gloves - all this will not only reduce the amount of shed hair and shorten the period of active molting, but also improve the condition “fur coat” and animal skin.
Modern pet stores sell a lot of furminator brushes and combs for any type and length of pet’s fur - you just need to consult with the seller and your veterinarian to choose the right one for your pet. There are even special hair cutters and hair clippers for particularly advanced cases.
Do not forget about the proper feeding and maintenance of cats, dogs and other furry mammals in the apartment - excess hair on the carpet can also be associated with simple mistakes in care.
Remember that most long-haired pets also need a trim from time to time. From childhood, teach your four-legged friends to regular combing and grooming - you will have less trouble with their fur in adulthood.
But if your pet’s hair is actively shedding, regardless of the time of year, you should first find out if he has any health problems. Show your four-legged friend to the veterinarian in case he has a lack of vitamins, exhaustion, or some kind of infection. It is quite possible that problems with excess hair on the carpet will go away after a course of treatment, when the pet’s body returns to normal.
Another possible reason is a poor microclimate in the apartment. This is especially true during the cold season, when the windows are caulked and the radiators are “frying” with might and main. Many people feel uncomfortable in such premises, and animals are also negatively affected by excessive dryness and air temperature - excessive hair loss may be one of the reactions to such a situation. In this case, just do not forget to ventilate the room and humidify the air in the apartment.
And finally (although you should have done this from the very beginning), clarify the characteristics of the breed of dog or cat you have chosen. Thus, beloved by many British cats, although short, have very thick hair with the same abundant undercoat, which are renewed regularly - that is, there will be wool in your house all year round.
If you or your family are prone to allergies or respiratory problems, you should initially choose a hypoallergenic breed - a “hairless” dog or cat that will have virtually no hair in the apartment - for example, a sphinx or hairless terrier.
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The best ways to clean a carpet
The most labor-intensive process in hair removal is cleaning carpets. The longer the pile of pure wool floor products, the more difficult it is to remove the hair that gets stuck there, especially from the undercoat.
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The method of cleaning wool depends on the material of the floor product (natural or artificial), the length of its own pile, and the degree of contamination. An ordinary broom may be effective, or you will have to remove it manually using detergents.
Turbo brush of a vacuum cleaner
In order to clean wool from carpets quickly and efficiently, it is best to use a turbo attachment on a vacuum cleaner. A roller with a rotating spiral is capable of removing the most difficult stains, including animal hair. The power of the tool depends on the type of drive: electrical or mechanical.
In the first case, air enters the turbo brush from the vacuum cleaner. The rotation speed and suction depend on its parameters. In the second, it is a stand-alone device that can be connected separately from the vacuum cleaner. Its characteristics are specified by the manufacturer.
An additional advantage of the turbo brush is the automatic adjustment of the operating mode depending on the surface being treated.
Washing vacuum cleaner
Washing vacuum cleaners are not used on long-pile carpets. The principle of operation of the device is to wet the surface and suck water back, along with dissolved dirt, hair and solid particles.
Wet broom
You can deal with fur without a vacuum cleaner by walking along a smooth-haired path with a wet broom. In this case, two conditions must be observed: the carpet must have a very short pile, the broom must be made of natural material, flexible, thick, and slightly damp. Wet dust particles stick to the hair, thickening it and thus making it more susceptible to removal.
Longer pile cannot be cleaned with a broom. A synthetic broom is not wetted with water, which is necessary to facilitate sweeping.
Wet brush
It is more effective to walk over carpets with a pile or a three-dimensional pattern with a brush, wetting it periodically in water. The water will reduce the static charge and the hair will catch on the bristles and be removed from the carpet.
Damp cloth or stiff foam sponge
If natural carpets are heavily soiled, use a dampened cloth or a foam sponge for better adhesion. To remove wool, carpets are wiped with the specified materials, applying force.
Mop with sponge
Synthetic flooring is cleaned of hair using a sponge attached to a mop. The sponge is wetted and wrung out well. Moistened hair sticks to the sponge and is removed from the carpet, path or rug. Periodically, the sponge must be cleaned of wool, rinsed in water and wrung out.
Vacuum cleaner and fabric softener
Using fabric softener while cleaning the carpet makes hair removal easier. The rinse aid has antistatic properties, which reduces the adhesion of wool, for example, to carpet. Having previously moistened the product with conditioner, it is cleaned in the usual way using a vacuum cleaner. Adding a softener to the water of the washing device will improve the quality of cleaning.
Rubber gloves, mittens for combing animals
A brush-mitten for combing wool is a mitten (for the right or left hand) made of natural fabric with a plastic/rubber coating on the palm with small spikes. The possibility of using this method depends on the depth of grip of the brush, as well as the length and hardness of the pile on the carpet.
On soft natural products, this mitt can be used to clean down to the base. In other cases, the effect will be achieved when the length of the teeth and the pile coincide. Rubber gloves will collect hair from the carpet well.
Rubber brush, window squeegee
For longer-pile floors, both synthetic and wool, flexible rubber brushes and a rubber window squeegee are suitable for cleaning. Long and thin rubber fibers become electrified and attract not only fur, but also microparticles of dirt. It is enough to dip the brush in water to clean it from adhering dirt.
The window scraper has a rubber comb on one side, the principle of which is similar to a rubber brush. Short, stiff teeth are suitable for cleaning dense, smooth carpet pile.
Sticky roller
Commercially available reusable rollers allow you to deal not only with dust, but also with cat and dog hair. When cleaning carpets, it is recommended to vacuum them first, since the roller will only remove wool from the top layer of the covering.
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Scotch tape (adhesive tape)
Considering the high cost of modern carpet cleaning tools, you can use tape as a handy tool. It is convenient to use it on small-area floor coverings with natural, dense pile. As it becomes dirty, take a new segment of adhesive tape. Synthetic carpets with a loose structure will lose their attractive appearance.
Metal brush for combing long-haired dogs
To care for the long hair of animals, metal brushes with sparse, blunt metal teeth are used. This device will allow you to remove wool that is buried deep in the carpet pile. Combing is carried out in one direction.
Sandpaper
The sanding paper is suitable for pure wool dense carpets. To remove hair, use coarse sandpaper. Before cleaning, carpets should be vacuumed and lightly sprinkled with water for better adhesion.
Construction mastic
From non-hardening sealant you need to make a roller of a convenient length with a diameter of 4-5 centimeters and roll it over the carpet. The contaminated fragment with wool is replaced with a new one. Before starting cleaning, vacuum the coating to remove large particles.
Clothes brush
For soft carpets, clothing brushes are the best cleaning option after vacuuming. The procedure is carried out from one edge of the carpet to the other, without changing direction.
Contacting a cleaning company
In some circumstances, carpets can be cleaned by hiring a cleaning company. Cleaning companies carry out orders on the basis of a one-time or long-term contract. The competence of professional employees includes:
- floor washing;
- windows;
- carpet cleaning;
- furniture;
- heating;
- plumbing fixtures.
The package of services is compiled individually. The technical means and chemicals used are highly effective, which guarantees the high quality of the work performed.
Washing a blanket at home
Even the most thorough dry cleaning will not completely rid the blanket of animal hair and odors. Therefore, in addition to processing with special rollers, rubber gloves or just your hands, you need to periodically wash the bedspreads.
The optimal temperature for washing any blankets is 30 degrees. Room temperature water and a mild detergent are suitable for cleaning wool, silk and fleece bedspreads. For linen and cotton, you can set the washing machine to a higher temperature - up to 40 degrees.
Washing removes dirt, dust and unpleasant odors from the blanket. In order to effectively remove all hair from things, special plastic balls are used. However, they can damage the delicate fabric of the blanket. And in this case, there is a way out - to make such balls with your own hands. You need to make several small balls of woolen threads and secure each of them so that they do not unwind. They are placed in the machine when washing various things, including blankets. These balls collect lint and cat hair.
Experienced cat owners also share advice that will come in handy when washing blankets. When the wash is finished, lint remains inside the drum. They must be removed after drying the washing machine drum using a vacuum cleaner, this will prevent wool from getting on other things during subsequent washes.
Glue and abrasive tool
This will help in solving the problem of how to remove cat hair from clothes. Use a sticky roller, which you can buy at the supermarket, laundry aisle, pet store, or fabric store.
Rules of use:
Important! You can make your own sticky roller. To do this you will need a rolling pin and a roll of wide insulating tape:
When using a sticky roller, keep these helpful tips and tricks in mind:
Veterinarian recommendations
The fight against pet hair is not only about removing the consequences of this process. Owners must properly care for the animal and comb it regularly. Metal combs and slicker brushes help quickly tidy up your cat. Using a tangle cutter, you can remove hair that has bunched up. The Furminator is a universal tool that can perform the functions of the devices listed above. When choosing a model, you should focus on the characteristics of the animal’s coat.
The cat's diet should be balanced, and detergents should be selected according to the length and thickness of the coat. You should visit your veterinarian regularly and get the necessary vaccinations. This will preserve the health of the animal, which is reflected in the quality of the coat. During the molting period, it is useful to give vitamins.
How to remove wool from clothes
Cat fur settles not only on horizontal surfaces, but also on clothing. You can get rid of it using:
- dish sponges moistened with water;
- nylon or nylon fabric;
- gel roller;
- sticky roller;
- wet palm;
- tape;
- rubber brush.
To make clothes less contaminated with wool, it is recommended to add conditioner to the rinse water. You can also place an antistatic cloth in the dryer drum. To prevent clumps of cat fur from remaining on clean items, it is advisable to use the extra rinse mode during washing.
