Quick answer
Loosen the hair first with a rubber glove, squeegee or stiff brush, then vacuum it up. Work in sections and repeat. For woven seats and carpet that still hold hair, a professional pet hair service reaches what home tools cannot.
Pet hair weaves itself into car upholstery and carpet, and a vacuum alone rarely lifts it. The trick is to loosen it first. Here is the method that works at home, and when a pro makes more sense.
What you will need
- A vacuum with a crevice tool and a brush attachment
- A rubber glove, a rubber squeegee or a stiff rubber brush
- A lint roller for the final pass on fabric
- A spray bottle of water
- A microfibre towel
Step by step
- Remove floor mats and shake them out. Do these separately.
- Lightly mist the seat or carpet with water. A slightly damp surface helps hair clump.
- Drag a rubber glove or squeegee across the fabric in one direction. The hair rolls into lines you can pick up.
- Vacuum the clumps with the brush attachment, then use the crevice tool along seams, seat rails and the gap between the seat and the console.
- Do the carpet the same way, working from the back of the car to the front.
- Finish with a lint roller on the seats and a wipe of the hard surfaces with a damp microfibre towel.
BeforeAfterThe cargo area and seat covers
If your pet rides in the back, check the cargo liner and any seat covers. Remove them and shake or wash according to their instructions. They collect a lot of hair and also protect the seats under them.
Keeping it under control
- Brush your pet before car trips, ideally outside.
- Use a washable seat cover or hammock for the back seat.
- Keep a rubber squeegee and a lint roller in the car for quick touch-ups.
- Do a full clean every few weeks if your pet sheds heavily.
When it is worth hiring a detailer
If hair is deep in the carpet or the upholstery, or you are dealing with odours or stains as well, our Fur Free service targets pet hair specifically. It starts from $75 and can be added to Interior Revive, so the whole cabin is reset in one visit. We come to your home or office.