If you're wondering how to remove pet hair from carpet, you're in the right place! As a lifelong pet parent, I know what it's like to constantly battle against fur-ridden furniture and surfaces every day – whether it's due to dog shedding or cat shedding.
When it comes to banishing pet hair from your home, the best vacuum cleaners for pets can be a complete lifesaver, offering higher suction power and anti-tangle technology that standard devices lack.
However, if you're not quite ready to splash out on a new vacuum or can't be bothered to lug it out of the cupboard (we've all been there!), I've got a few other tricks for you to try, including fabric softener spray and rubber glove techniques. And if you're looking for ways to get dog hair off your couch, be sure to check out our other helpful guide too.
How to remove pet hair from carpet
1. Rubber gloves
Who would have thought an old pair of rubber gloves could come in so handy? Well, it turns out that if you dampen them and run them across your carpet in long strokes, they can pick up fur pretty easily due to the friction and static electricity. This works best on short, tightly woven carpets.
2. Squeegee
The squeegee is another hair removal tool you might not have seen coming. The friction from the rubber blade helps loosen any fur buried deep in the carpet and gathers it into a clump that's easy to pick up afterwards. This also works very well on short-pile carpets.
3. Lint rollers
Lint rollers are the quickest way to remove unwanted pet hair from your clothes, furniture, or carpet. Just peel off the sticky sheet, roll it back and forth, and your surfaces will look good as new!
4. Pet hair removal tools
If you think your carpets are clean, think again – these pet hair removal tools lift fur you didn’t even know was there. The blade picks up everything from hair and lint to fluff and crumbs that vacuums can’t reach.
5. Fabric softener spray
By mixing two to three tablespoons of liquid fabric softener with one cup of water, you’ll have your very own fur remover spray. Spritz it onto your carpet to loosen the fluff, let it sit for a few minutes, and once it’s dry, use a rubber glove or squeegee to brush it away.
Why won't my vacuum pick up dog hair?
There's nothing more frustrating than spending hours vacuuming, only to realize it hasn't picked up any pet hair at all! Here are a few reasons why this might happen:
1. Wrong attachments: If your vacuum isn't picking up pet hair, you might be using the wrong attachment. A motorized brush head (also known as a turbo brush or powerhead) gives you the best chance of removing stubborn fluff and hair from carpet fibers.
2. Clogged filters: For optimal performance, ensure you’re regularly cleaning the filters, hose, and brush roll to prevent them from getting clogged with hair and debris. Some models (like this one from Amazon) offer anti-tangle brush heads to save you the extra effort.
3. The hair is too deep: If the fur is particularly long or fine, it can become deeply embedded in the fibers and require a special tool to remove it (like this one from Amazon).
4. Wrong vacuum: Pet-specific vacuums offer higher suction power and HEPA filtration to trap allergens and fur, along with a variety of attachments designed specifically for removing pet hair.
Want more cleaning tips? Read our guides on how to remove dog hair from your washing machine and how to remove dog hair from your car
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
This page was last updated in June 2025 by Megan Milstead.
