← Blog · 2026-10-26

How to get dog hair off blankets in the wash

Throwing a fur-covered blanket straight into the washer usually ends with hair stuck to the blanket, the drum, and everything else in the load. A few steps before and after the wash make a big difference.

1. Get the loose hair off first

The less hair that goes into the machine, the less there is to redistribute.

• Shake it outside. A good shake removes a surprising amount.
• Tumble dry on no heat for 10 minutes first. The airflow loosens hair and sends a lot of it to the lint filter. Clean the trap afterwards.
• A rubber glove or squeegee dragged across fleece pulls hair into clumps you can pick off.

2. Wash pet items on their own

Wash pet blankets and beds separately from your clothes. Hair floats in the water and settles on whatever else is in the load.

Don't overload the drum. Fabric needs room to move so water can carry hair away. A half to two-thirds full drum works better than a packed one.

3. Add something to catch hair during the cycle

Reusable pet-hair catcher balls are soft sponge balls that tumble with the wash and catch loose hair. They don't remove every hair, but they reduce how much ends up redeposited on the fabric.

How to use them: add 3–5 to the washing machine with the load, take them out before drying, then pinch or rinse the fur off and reuse.

Other options people use include an extra rinse cycle and a small cup (about 100 ml) of white vinegar in the rinse to help relax fibres. Check the fabric care label before adding anything.

4. Dry it, then clean the lint filter again

The tumble dryer is where most loose hair actually leaves the fabric. Clean the lint filter before and after drying pet items. A clogged trap means hair stays in the drum.

5. Clean the drum afterwards

Wipe the drum with a damp cloth to pick up stray hair, or run a short empty rinse cycle. This stops hair transferring to the next load.

Quick routine

1. Shake outside or 10-minute no-heat tumble dry.
2. Wash pet items separately, drum not overfilled.
3. Add pet-hair catchers.
4. Dry with a clean lint filter; clean it again after.
5. Wipe the drum.

Want fewer hairs after the wash? Furloop reusable pet-hair catcher balls go in the washing machine with fur-covered loads. Sold in packs of 10 and 20 with free delivery to the UK, US and EU.