How to Remove Dog Hair From Your Car
If you’ve ever taken your dog for a car ride, you know it comes at a cost—everything, from the seats to the air vents, will be covered in fur.
It doesn’t matter if your pup is short-haired, long-haired, or somewhere in between, their hair will manage to attach itself to every inch of your vehicle.
But don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right tools and techniques, you can reclaim your car and keep it clean.
How to Remove Dog Hair From Your Car Seats
Using Rubber Gloves
You can easily remove dog hair from your car seats with damp rubber gloves. They will generate friction, which will help lift the pet hair from the surface.
Add a bit of water and it’ll be even more effective. The moisture will reduce static cling, making the hair less likely to stick to the seat.
Step 1:
Put on a rubber glove and lightly dampen it with water. It should be moist but not dripping wet.
Step 2:
Slowly run your hand over the car seats in a sweeping motion. Don’t forget the headrests as well.
As you move your hand, the hair will form into small clumps, making them easy to remove.
Step 3:
Repeat the steps until you’ve removed most of the pet hair from the car seats.
Tip: A latex glove will also do the trick if you don’t have a rubber glove.
Using a Lint Roller
Lint rollers are great in that they work on many types of surfaces. It doesn’t matter if you have leather or fabric seats, they will get the job done.
If you want, you can even use them on the plastic trim on your car.
Step 1:
Peel off the top layer of the lint roller. You want to start with a fresh, sticky sheet.
Step 2:
Press the lint roller firmly against the back seat and roll it back and forth. For the best results, use short, overlapping strokes – that will allow you to pick up as much hair as possible.
Pay extra attention to headrests and seat creases as fur tends to accumulate in those areas.
Step 3:
Once the sticky sheet is full of hair, peel it off to expose a new one.
Tip: For hard-to-reach areas, such as edges, peel off a sticky sheet and wrap it around your hand so you can dab at the hair.
Using a Vacuum Cleaner
Rubber gloves and lint rollers may do the trick if you’re dealing with small amounts of hair but if you have a dog that sheds heavily, using a vacuum cleaner may be a better option.
While you can use any vacuum, we highly recommend using one with a pet hair attachment as they’re specifically designed to remove hair from upholstery.
If it has a HEPA filter, even better – it will trap pet dander and allergens, preventing them from recirculating in the air.
Step 1:
Rub a damp rubber glove over the seat to loosen the dog hair before vacuuming.
Step 2:
Attach a pet hair brush to the vacuum hose. Make sure it’s securely in place before turning the vacuum on.
Step 3:
Run the pet hair brush back and forth over the seat. Applying gentle pressure will help the attachment grab as much pet hair as possible.
Avoid pressing too hard as that can damage the upholstery.
Step 4 (optional):
If necessary, you can use a crevice tool to vacuum under the seats and between the seams.
How to Remove Dog Hair From the Car Carpet
Before you clean the carpet, make sure to take out the floor mats. Give them a good shake to remove any loose dirt and wash them separately, if necessary.
Using a Pumice Stone
Pumice stones are porous volcanic rocks that are known for their rough, abrasive texture. This makes them great for removing debris – such as pet hair – from fabrics, including carpet.
Step 1:
Make sure the car carpet is dry. The pumice stone can crumble if it becomes wet.
Tip: To prevent damage, test the pumice stone on a small, inconspicuous area first before using.
Step 2:
Hold the pumice stone at a slight angle and lightly scrape it across the carpet in one direction. The abrasive surface will pull up pet hair, forming small clumps.
Step 3:
Pick up the clumped hair and continue to scrape the carpet with the stone.
Remember to be gentle – you don’t want to damage the fibers.
Using a Vacuum Cleaner
A pumice stone might not be enough if there’s excessive pet hair on the carpet. In cases like that, it’s best to use a vacuum cleaner.
Step 1:
Start by loosening the pet hair on the ground. You can do this by rubbing a pumice stone or squeegee over the carpet.
Step 2:
Attach a pet hair removal tool to the vacuum hose. Make sure it’s secure before turning the vacuum on.
Step 3:
Move the vacuum back and forth slowly over the carpet to loosen the hair, then vacuum side to side to lift it.
For tight spaces (e.g. under the seats), consider using a crevice tool.
Tip: Spraying the carpet with a fabric softener solution (one part softener and three parts water) will help reduce static electricity, making it easier to remove the hair.
Using Baking Soda
Baking soda will not only loosen pet hair from the carpet but it’ll also neutralize any odors.
Step 1:
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the car carpet. Pay extra attention to areas with the most pet hair build-up.
Step 2:
Let the baking soda sit for 10-15 minutes. The powder will reduce static cling, making the hair easier to remove.
Step 3:
Brush the carpet with a stiff brush to remove the loosened hair.
Using a Balloon
Balloons aren’t just great for parties—they can also help remove pet hair from your car carpet.
Step 1:
Lightly rub a balloon over the carpet to build up a static charge, which will attract the hair and cause it to cling to the balloon.
Step 2:
Wipe away the clumps of pet hair, then continue rubbing the balloon over the carpet to collect any remaining hair.
Tip: If the balloon loses its charge, rub it against another surface, such as your shirt, to regenerate static electricity.
Using a Squeegee
If you have a small squeegee lying around – ideally one with a rubber blade – you can use it to remove pet hair from the carpet.
Step 1:
Gently pull the squeegee along the carpet, working in small sections at a time.
Make sure to move in one direction; don’t move back and forth as that will push the dog hair deeper into the fibers.
Step 2:
Gather the pet hair as you go—it will accumulate along the edge of the squeegee.
Step 4:
Continue to go over the carpet with the squeegee until most of the hair is removed.
You can use a vacuum to remove any remaining bits, if necessary.
Rubber gloves and lint rollers (as described in the previous section) can also be used to remove pet hair from car seats.
How to Stop Your Dog From Shedding In the Car
Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop your dog from shedding in the car completely. However, you can prevent their hair from sticking to the seats, carpets, and other surfaces.
Give Your Dog a Shirt to Wear
If your dog tolerates clothing, have them wear a shirt in the car. The fabric will catch loose fur and prevent it from falling onto the seats.
The shirt will also minimize the amount of fur that becomes airborne when they move around.
While it won’t completely eliminate pet hair from your car, as parts of their body will still be exposed, it can help reduce the amount significantly.
Removing dog hair from the shirt will also be easier than removing it from your car.
Use a Backseat Cover
Consider investing in a backseat cover. It will act as a physical barrier, preventing your pup’s hair from embedding itself into the fabric or leather.
It’ll also protect your car seats from scratches and potential stains from dirty paws. You won’t have to worry about other messes (e.g. drool, mud) getting on your car’s upholstery either.
Even if the cover get dirty, you can easily wipe it down with a wet wipe. You can also throw it in the washing machine.
Most backseat covers are also padded, meaning your pup will be able to lie down more comfortably during car rides.
Groom Your Dog Regularly
Brushing your dog regularly is one of the best things you can do to minimize shedding. It’ll help remove loose fur before it falls out, minimizing the amount of hair that will settle in your car.
How often should you brush your dog? It depends.
For example, long-haired dogs such as Lhasa apsos, should be brushed at least 3-4 times a week or even daily. Short-haired dogs, on the other hand, can get away with once-a-week grooming sessions.
Double-coated dogs like huskies also need to be brushed more frequently (at least 3-4 times a week), especially when they’re blowing their coats.
Use a Booster Seat
Booster seats are a great alternative to seat covers. As long as your pup stays inside, their fur will be less likely to spread throughout the car.
Your car seats will also stay clean as their paws won’t be on the upholstery.
Many booster seats also come with harness attachments, meaning your dog won’t be able to move around. Not only will this be safer for your pup but it’ll also be safer for you as there will be less distractions when you’re driving.
The seats are also easy to clean, as many have removable covers that can be tossed in the washer.
