There will be times when it’s necessary to take your dog for a ride. Whether you’re taking a road trip or bringing your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup, you’ll face the issue of dog hair accumulating in your car’s carpeting and upholstery. This guide will help you prevent, minimize, and remove pet hair from your vehicle.
Preparing Your Car for Dog Hair Removal
An important first step in learning how to get dog hair out of car carpeting is assembling all the necessary equipment. Keeping all of the following items close at hand will simplify the cleaning process:
- High-powered vacuum with attachments
- Lint roller with extra rolls of tape
- Rubber gloves
- Squeegees
- Commercial or homemade upholstery cleaning solution
Before you start addressing the issue of dog hair in your car, it’s necessary to get rid of the clutter. After any trip, the passenger compartment might have debris, luggage, or other items. Remove everything to provide a work area that’s free from obstructions.
In the future, you can minimize the work entailed by preparing your dog for the ride. Be sure to groom your dog the morning of the ride and avoid feeding your dog within four hours of the ride. Your dog will need to drink frequently before and during the trip, so bring extra water.
Vacuuming Techniques
The first step to take when removing dog hair from car carpeting is to vacuum as much of the hair as possible. Your household vacuum may not do the trick. Rent a commercial vacuum or use the industrial vacuums at a nearby car wash.
You should also look for a high-powered vacuum with plenty of attachments. Using narrow attachments will make it easier to vacuum tight spots around the seats. Use a bristled vacuum attachment to brush stubborn dog hair out of the carpet fibers. Brush the hair into a pile and vacuum the pile.
Lint Rollers and Tape
Lint roller tape is terrific for removing hair from the seat backs and cushions in your vehicle. Try to use a lint roller right after returning home with your dog to keep the loose hair from spreading.
For the best results, run the roller in long swipes along the length of the seat back first. After using the roller on the entire width of the seat, run the roller along the seat cushion in the same manner. Frequently switch to new roller tape to maintain its effectiveness.
Rubber Gloves and Squeegees
As a dog parent, investing in rubber gloves will help you in many different situations. To remove pet hair from your car’s carpet, run your gloved hand firmly along the surface of the carpet. The rubber will collect the hair without creating static. Once you have a pile of hair, use a vacuum to remove it.
A squeegee has a rubber blade that’s also effective in collecting dog hair from carpeting and upholstery. Use it in the same way that you would use a rubber glove to collect dog hair.
Brushing and Grooming Your Dog
Keep a brush and comb handy for grooming your dog on a regular basis. Short-haired dogs only require weekly brushing or combing, but dogs with longer hair need daily grooming. Additionally, bathe your dog every two weeks.
These practices will reduce pet odor and keep your dog’s coat healthier. Regular grooming will also reduce shedding, helping you to prevent excessive hair loss during car rides.
You can brush your dog’s coat wet or dry. Brushing a wet coat will help the comb or brush pick up more dirt, dander, and loose fur. Always brush with the coat rather than against it. Use a comb to detect tangles.
Loosen stubborn tangles by lightly spraying the coat with water. Gentle combing or brushing will help eliminate anxiety for your dog, and they might even come to enjoy the experience.
Upholstery Cleaning Solutions
In learning how to clean dog hair from car upholstery, you’ll find that removing the hair is just the first part of the problem. You’ll also want to address the pet odor your dog’s hair leaves behind. Almost every commercial carpet upholstery cleaning product has a formula designed to remove pet odor.
You can also make a homemade product from equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to give the solution a fresh scent. Stir or shake well before each use. Spray the solution on the upholstery and give it time to dry.
Keep in mind that your car’s interior is a confined space. Before using any cleaning or deodorizing solution, open all of the windows or doors. Wear a face filter or mask, safety goggles, and gloves. This protective gear will keep you safer as you work on your car.
Preventive Measures
Regularly cleaning your car’s interior can help you keep the dog hair problem under control. You can also minimize the amount of work you have to do by training your dog to stay in one area of the car.
Covering the seats with plastic covers will keep dog hair from collecting on the upholstery. You can cover the plastic with your dog’s favorite blanket to give them comfortable bedding for the ride.
The Wag Hotels Solution
Wags Hotel offers solutions to make your job easier as you learn how to clean dog hair from car carpets. Before taking your dog on a long road trip, bring your pet to us for professional grooming. We’ll bathe, trim, and comb your dog’s coat to help reduce shedding ahead of your trip. Your dog will also have a fresh scent, eliminating the problem of pet odor.
Another option is to schedule a stay for your dog while you’re away. Our caring staff will make sure your dog’s stay is fun and comfortable. We maintain a clean facility that provides the best pet care amenities and services. We’ll make sure your dog enjoys their short vacation away from home.
Keep Dog Hair From Becoming a Problem
From taking steps to reduce shedding to using these cleaning methods, routine auto carpet and upholstery care are essential. Allowing dog hair to accumulate in your vehicle can lead to an unpleasant odor and more frequent allergic reactions.
When you need a little help, Wags Hotel offers our grooming and dog boarding services to keep your car cleaner and your furry friend happier.