If you live with a pet, you know the reality: fur on your clothes, blankets, couch cushions… and pretty much everything else. Still, it’s frustrating when freshly washed laundry comes out of even the best washing machine with hair still clinging to it. Fortunately, there’s one surprisingly effective trick: use your dryer before you even start the wash.
To remove stubborn pet hair, toss items like fleece blankets, sweaters or couch covers into the dryer for about 10 minutes on the air-fluff (no heat) setting along with a dryer sheet. The tumbling action helps loosen embedded hair, while the dryer sheet reduces the static that causes pet hair to cling to clothing and encourages hair to move into the lint trap instead of sticking to your fabrics.
While this method works surprisingly well, it’s worth noting that dryer sheets — including Bounce Pet Hair and Lint Guard Mega Dryer Sheets, our top-tested pick for pet hair removal— are typically designed to be used with wet fabrics, not dry ones. Using a dryer sheet on dry items may leave a soft or slightly coated feel. If you’re washing the items immediately afterward, that’s not as much of an issue, but if you’re not, consider using a used dryer sheet to minimize any potential residue. You can also try lightly dampening the clothing to eliminate this problem.
Ultimately, this hack won’t eliminate every last hair, but it’ll save your washing machine (and you) from doing all the heavy lifting. Just don’t forget to clean the lint trap right away. Pet hair can clog the venting system quickly, reducing your dryer’s efficiency and even causing a potential fire hazard.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
