While we love our pets as our family, managing their fur can be a huge and ongoing task that we never seem to win. Don’t worry though; we’ve got your back. There really is a way to tame the fur problem and get and keep it off everything you own. Here are our best tips for managing and removing fur.
Minimize What Gets Loose
Like the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, one of the best ways to get fur off of everything is by keeping it from getting there in the first place. Talk to your pet’s vet and ask about ways to keep the coat healthy, like a healthy diet and vitamins. Next, talk to your groomer about regular de-shedding and what you can do between visits to keep the dog shedding under control. We recommend the FURminator de-shedding system which is much more effective than brushing alone and can reduce shedding by 60-80%. Remember, any loose fur that you can remove and dispose of is fur not getting on your furniture, floors, or clothes.
How to Remove Fur From Clothing (and Loose Washable Fabrics)
If you want to remove fur from clothing that you are wearing, try using a damp sponge to run across the surface to help collect the fur into one place for easier removal. Placing your hand in a rubber glove will also work very well to help rake up loose fur. Other options that work well are lint brushes and tape.
To remove fur from clothing (and other loose fabrics), first shake out as much fur as possible from the fabric. Then place the clothing in the dryer on the air/no heat setting, and let it tumble for 5 minutes. The dryer will remove most of the fur. Be sure to remove the fur from the lint trap. Then, place the clothing in the washer and add ¼ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will soften the fibers and free the trapped fur. Once washed, place in the dryer to dry and the remaining fur will bet captured in the lint trap.
How to Remove Fur From Hard Flooring
To remove fur from hard flooring such as tile or wood, use a microfiber sweeper or a broom with short tight bristles to sweet the fur into a pile. Remove the pile with a damp cloth or damp paper towel.
Removing Fur From Carpeting
Carpeting poses one of the biggest problems for our San Diego mobile grooming clients. Fur gets trapped tightly and becomes very difficult to remove by simply vacuuming. To remove it effectively, try using a stiff rubber broom designed to rake the fur into one place. After removing the pile, sprinkle baking soda on the carpeting and let it work itself into the fibers. This will help loosen the fur and remove odors as you vacuum the carpeting.
Removing Fur From Furniture
Many of the same techniques that work on carpeting and clothing also work on removing fur from furniture. The most effective techniques include using a damp sponge, rubber glove, and lint brushes. Gather the fur in one place and remove. Then use a hand held vacuum to remove any remaining fur.
With great nutrition, regular dog grooming and de-shedding, and these handy tips, you can win the battle over fur. Contact us for more information and to schedule your mobile grooming appointment!