Getting rid of pet hair on your clothes: Use your washing machine

Washing machines can help remove cat hair from clothes to some extent, but they may not completely eliminate all the hair in a single wash.

Cat hair can be stubborn and may cling to fabrics, especially if the clothes are heavily covered in fur.

Here are some factors that influence how well a washing machine can remove cat hair.

Fabric type

Some fabrics tend to hold onto cat hair more than others.

Synthetic materials, like polyester, can attract and trap hair, making it harder to remove in the wash.

On the other hand, natural fibers like cotton or linen might release hair more easily during the washing process.

Pre-treatment

Before washing, it's helpful to pre-treat the clothes to remove loose cat hair.

You can use a special lint roller or sticky tape to lift off the fur from the garments.

Alternatively, you can give your clothes a quick shake or a few firm flicks to dislodge loose hair before putting them in your washing machine.

Using the right settings

Using your washing machine with a higher spin speed and agitation can help dislodge and remove more cat hair from clothes.

Additionally, washing with warm water can loosen hair and help it wash away more effectively.

Dryer

After washing, tumble-drying the clothes can help remove even more cat hair.

The heat and motion of the dryer will help release hair from the items, and the lint trap in the dryer will collect much of the loose hair.
 

• Related news:
• pet hair
• clothing care
• laundry
• housekeeping tips
• 20 July 2023

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