Looking to remove dog hair from your car? You've come to the right place. As a pet parent myself I know all too well how frustrating it can be to have to spend time cleaning up all that fur – and trying to remove it from the car is often the trickiest job.
Thankfully, I've rounded up a ton of great tips to make it a whole lot easier. Investing in one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair is definitely something I recommend, however you'll find plenty of other fantastic solutions below if you don't have a vacuum cleaner or simply don't fancy dragging it outside!
It's worth noting that some of the hacks below work equally well if you're trying to get dog hair off your couch or clothes, so if you decide to purchase something like a lint roller, you'll find they'll be multiple ways you can put it to good use.
Ready for some clever tips to remove dog hair from leather or fabric car interiors? Keep reading...
How to remove dog hair from your car
Leather materials
Leather is much more forgiving than fabric when it comes to dog hair as it's a lot less prone to holding onto fur. However, the seams can still prove a challenge, so here's how to clean your leather interiors without damaging them...
1. Do a gentle vacuum: You'll want to use a soft brush attachment for this to avoid scratching the leather in your car. Apply enough pressure for the vacuum to do its job, but not so much that you're pressing down firmly into the leather itself. A light touch should be all that's needed here.
2. Use a damp cloth: Microfiber (like this one) is the best option here as it's highly effective yet gentle, but in a pinch, a towel will do the job as well. Simply wet the cloth and then wipe down the leather surfaces – the dampness will help the fur stick to the cloth.
3. Apply a leather conditioner: Once you've removed the fur, apply a leather conditioner. Try not to skip this step as the conditioner helps prevent the leather from cracking and it's those pesky cracks that tend to be where pet hair accumulates.
Fabric
Unlike leather, which does a fairly good job of repelling dog hair, fabric interiors are a magnet for fur. However, while there's no denying you'll need to adopt a stronger approach to tackling pet hair if you have fabric seats, there's still a very effective method you can use to get the job done...
1. Start by vacuuming: No need to worry about a gentle approach when you're dealing with fabric seats, so use the most powerful vacuum cleaner you can get your hands on and pair it with a brush attachment. Don't be shy about being vigorous here, you'll want to apply plenty of pressure and move in lots of different directions to loosen the fur.
2. Use a damp rubber glove: These are much more effective than microfiber cloths and towels when you have fabric seats, but the same principle still applies. You want to wet the gloves and then run your hands all over the fabric. This movement will create a good amount of friction and static that will help the fur clump together, making it easier to remove. You can then do a second vacuum.
3. Apply a fabric cleaner: The final step is to use a soft brush to apply a fabric cleaner that's been specifically designed to be used in cars. Not only will brushing this give you one last opportunity to remove any pesky fur that's been left behind, but it will leave your car smelling fresh and clean too.
Carpet
For carpets, you can use the basic method for fabric interiors outlined above, vacuuming first and then using damp rubber gloves and finishing off with a final vacuum, or you can try one of these less time-consuming methods if you're in a hurry...
1. A lint roller: This is a brilliant solution if you're after a quick fix for a small area or you simply don't have the time to clean your whole car. Lint rollers are portable and versatile so you can easily have one in your car that you can use on your carpets when you're out and about. Plus, they can help you de-fur your clothes at the same time!
2. Pet hair brush or glove: If you have your dog's brush or grooming glove handy, why not put it to good use? These are quite effective at lifting hair out of carpets – simply brush or wipe the tool over the carpets where you can see fur and you're good to go.
3. Duct tape: Who would have thought that the humble duct tape could be such a handy carpet cleaner! Simply wrap the tape around your hand, sticky side up, and pat your hand on the carpet to remove the fur.
How to prevent dog hair in your car
It's such a joy having our fur friends accompany us in the car – whether that's on a big cross-country adventure or simply running errands around town. However, while it may be fun having your dog with you wherever you go, you likely don't enjoy having to clean up all the hair they shed while they're in the car.
Thankfully, there are some ways that you can prevent their fur from building up and you'll be relieved to hear it's not as difficult as you might think. Here are a few of our favorite tips:
1. Invest in seat covers: Using seat covers (or a pet hammock) is one of the most effective ways of preventing your dog's fur from accumulating in your car. These do a brilliant job of catching all the hair, dirt and debris, before it has a chance to settle into the interior – just be sure to choose ones that are easy to wash (like this one from Amazon).
2. Groom your dog regularly: Regular grooming with one of the best dog brushes isn't just great for getting rid of loose, dead fur, it's also a wonderful way to bond with your dog.
3. Use an anti-static spray: These are fantastic for helping to prevent fur from sticking to fabric. Simply mist the spray over the interior of your car before your dog gets in and it will repel the fur.
4. Brush your dog before they get in the car: As well as daily or weekly grooming (depending on your dog's breed), giving them an extra brush before they get in the car will help catch any loose fur that will otherwise fall out while you're traveling.
5. Regularly vacuum your car: While it can be tempting to put it off, a quick, weekly vacuum can actually make your life a whole lot easier in the long run. Not only does it help prevent fur from building up, but it will also remove any dirt and debris, reducing allergens and creating a more hygienic environment for both you and your dog.
Read next: How to pet-proof a rental and how to cope with dog shedding season
Edited by Megan Milstead.
This page was last updated in June 2025 by Kathryn Williams.
