When it comes to getting rid of dog hair on clothes, you'll likely be pleasantly surprised to discover just how many simple solutions there are to this very common problem.
If you're a pet owner like I am, then you probably don't need me to tell you just how enriching it can be to have a fur friend in your life. There's certainly plenty of fun to be had when you have pets in the house, but one of the big downsides is finding their hair everywhere.
While the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair can help get dog hair off your couch, when it comes to clothing, you'll need to try a different approach. Thankfully, there are lots of effective ways to remove dog hair from your clothes – especially if you own one of the breeds that sheds the most – and I have a feeling there are a few tips on this list that you won't see coming!
Below, I'm sharing my five favorite ways to get rid of dog hair on clothes. Plus, I explore what causes pet hair to stick to clothing in the first place and reveal the most common fur-attracting fabrics you'll want to steer clear of.
How to get rid of dog hair on clothes
1. Lint roller
Keeping a lint roller or two in your home can be a real lifesaver when it comes to removing dog hair from clothes. Lint rollers are best used on dry clothes and that sticky surface can be highly effective at removing your dog's fur from your favorite top, suit, coat or pants.
To use a lint roller, peel off the protective cover and then run the lint roller across your clothing in long, even strokes, applying light pressure as you do this. If your clothes are particularly fur-covered, you may need to do this several times to remove all of the hair.
2. Damp rubber gloves
Rubber gloves may not be the first (or fifth!) item that springs to mind when it comes to removing dog hair from clothes, but bear with us as their textured surface can prove surprisingly effective.
The key to using rubber gloves in this way is to make sure they're damp before you begin. Once you've put them on and wet them, run your hands back and forth over your clothes. The texture of the gloves acts like a magnet, while the dampness helps the pet hair to cling to the surface of the glove rather than your clothes.
3. Use a washing machine and dryer
Your washing machine and dryer can be brilliant weapons to call on in the fight against dog hair. The first thing you want to do is to try and remove as much fur as possible before you wash your clothes – that's where a lint roller or wet rubber gloves can come in handy.
Once you've done that, separate out the clothes with dog hair on them from any other clothes you're wanting to wash as the last thing you want to do is to transfer the fur onto other items.
Now, while it may seem counterintuitive, you want to start with the dryer first. Pop your clothes in for around 10 minutes on a low setting as this will help to soften the fabric and loosen the hair.
After you've got the clothes out, pop them into your washing machine and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the drum. This is another great hack when it comes to loosening dog hair and removing it from clothing. After your wash cycle is finished, put the clothes back in the dryer with a pet hair removal dryer sheet and hey presto – no more fur!
4. Try a steamer
Do you own a hand-held steamer? If you do, it's worth pulling it out of the cupboard and giving it a whirl on those fur-filled clothes. Steamers are particularly great for delicate fabrics as they can help to loosen and remove hair without damaging your clothes.
5. Do a tennis ball tumble
Who would have thought that a humble tennis ball could be so effective in the fight against dog hair? And yet, we highly recommend you give this tip a go as it's amazing how much fur you can remove by doing the tennis ball tumble.
Because tennis balls have a textured surface, adding one into your dryer with your clothes is like having your own hands-free lint roller doing all the hard work for you.
Tennis balls do a great job of removing dog hair from your clothes and then your dryer's lint trap will take over, catching all of that loose fur and trapping it for you to remove later. Up the ante by adding a pet hair removal dryer sheet as well.
What causes dog hair to stick to clothes?
1. Static electricity: If your clothing is constantly covered in dog hair, you may be wondering what causes that to happen. Well, the simple answer is static electricity. Pet hair is more likely to stick to fabrics that generate a lot of static, such as acrylic, polyester, nylon and wool.
2. Clothing fabric: The texture of the fabric and the weave type can also play a role. Loose-weave fabrics, like flannel, linen and chiffon, let fur embed deeply into the fibers, which can make it more tricky to remove.
3. Your dog's fur: The fabric of your clothes is just one part of the equation, your dog's fur also comes into play. Pet hair tends to be fine, light and oily, so these characteristics allow the fur to not just embed into the fabric but also to stick more easily.
Choosing pet-friendly fabrics is a great way to minimize the amount of fur that sticks to your clothes. High quality, tightly-woven cotton, leather and bamboo are three of the best fabrics as they repel hair rather than trapping it.
Alongside the fabric choice itself, a good rule of thumb when selecting pet-friendly clothing is to opt for dark and/or patterned fabric as these do an excellent job of disguising fur.
And of course, we highly recommend investing in one of the best dog brushes (or cat brushes) and giving your pet a good groom on a regular basis. Daily brushing is one of the most successful ways to remove loose hair and ensure it ends up in the bin and not attached to your clothes.
What fabric attracts dog hair?
Unless you have a dog that rarely sheds, finding fur all over your clothes is likely a common frustration. While you can't fully prevent dog hair from finding its way onto your favorite coat or suit, choosing fabrics that repel fur rather than attract it can help make life a lot easier.
The worst fabrics for trapping dog hair are things like flannel, fleece, and velvet as these act like a lint roller and cause the fur to stick. Flannel and fleece have a loose, fuzzy texture that excels at trapping fur, while velvet has a surface that acts like a magnet, causing any hair it comes into contact with to stick.
Tweed is another fabric that's worth steering clear of if you can. Although it does a great job of camouflaging fur, it also does a brilliant job of trapping hair in its fibers where it can be tricky to remove.
When shopping for clothes, always pay attention to the washing instructions. If you own a pet, look for fabric that has a 'W' cleaning code – that means it's suitable for water-based cleaning at home.
Read next: How to pet-proof a rental and tips for keeping your home clean during dog shedding season
Edited by Megan Milstead.
This page was last updated in June 2025 by Kathryn Williams.
