How to Remove Pet Hair From Your Washing Machine

Why Is Pet Hair So Stubborn in Washing Machines?

Let’s be real: your pet’s fur has a sneaky talent for hitching an unwanted ride into your washing machine. Those fluffy tumbleweeds don’t just vanish with a wash and spin. Pet hair clings to fabric and hides in crevices, making laundry day feel like a scene from a sci-fi movie where fur rebels against the washing cycle.

Since pet hair can accumulate inside the washer drum and seals, it’s not only a nuisance but might also damage your machine over time or cause funky smells. You feel me? So let’s arm you with the right tricks (no magic wand needed) to reclaim your washing machine from the furry invasion.

Step 1: The Big Vacuum Rescue Mission

First things first, don’t just start tossing clothes in the machine and hoping for the best. Open up that washer door and get the vacuum out. Use a crevice attachment (think of it as the Swiss Army knife of vacuum tools) to suction pet hair from the inside walls and especially under the rubber gasket where hairs love to hide.

This step already removes the bulk of loose fur and prevents it from swirling around and settling deeper inside the machine during wash cycles.

Step 2: Wiping Down Like a Pro

Vacuuming isn’t enough because wet hair can stick stubbornly to surfaces. Grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down the drum, rubber seal, and door interior. Don’t forget to get under the lip of the gasket—the secret hideout for pet hair.

A little extra elbow grease here saves you from future buildup and keeps your washer smelling fresh.

Step 3: Vinegar, Your Washing Machine’s New Best Friend

Now for a rinse cycle that actually does more than just rinse. Add half a cup of distilled white vinegar to your machine and run a rinse or cleaning cycle without any clothes. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener and breaks down those pesky pet hairs that cling tightly to drum surfaces.

According to Maytag and Consumer Reports, vinegar helps loosen even coarse pet hair and refreshes your washer naturally.

Step 4: Use Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets for a Deep Clean

While you’re giving that rinse cycle a whirl, why not add a washing machine cleaner tablet? These tablets are formulated to dissolve residue, grime, and hair buildup inside your drum and pipes, ensuring your washer operates at peak efficiency.

Run your machine’s special cleaning cycle if it has one, or simply follow the tablet instructions for a maintenance wash. It’s like a spa day for your washer.

Step 5: The Sponge Hack — Your Secret Weapon

Here comes a hack straight from the laundry warriors. Before starting a wash with pet hair-festooned clothes, toss a damp conventional kitchen sponge right into the drum along with your laundry. This moisture-activated furry-fur magnet helps trap hair as it loosens from fabrics.

After the cycle finishes, pull out the sponge and rinse it clean. This nifty laundromat trick can significantly reduce how much hair sticks to clothes and your washer’s interior. Fancy, right?

Step 6: Regularly Clean Your Washer’s Lint Trap

If your washer has a lint trap, treat it like the holy grail and clean it often. Pet hair, lint, and dirt can clog this trap, causing drainage issues and forcing hair back into your wash.

Routine maintenance here keeps everything flowing smoothly and minimizes hairy situations.

Step 7: After Wash TLC — Wipe the Drum When Dry

Once your machine finishes and the drum has dried, take a microfiber cloth for a quick wipe down or even vacuum it lightly to pick any lingering hairs. This little follow-up prevents buildup and helps keep your washer clean between uses.

Bonus: Embrace Washers with Special Pet Hair Settings

Technology to the rescue! Some washing machines now come with dedicated pet hair or allergen wash cycles. These modes boost water action and filter hair more effectively than regular cycles. According to Samsung, features like dual pet hair filters trap fur to deliver cleaner laundry and a happier pet owner.

If you’re shopping for a new washer and pet hair is a problem, such specialized features might be worth the investment.

Pro Tips for Pet Hair-Free Laundry

Before washing, use a lint roller or pet hair remover brush on your clothes and bedding.
Shake out heavily furred items outdoors to pre-loosen hair.
Consider dryer sheets that help lift pet hair when drying clothes.
Leave the washer door open post-wash to air dry and reduce hair and mold buildup.
Use pet-friendly laundry products designed to tackle hair (explore options at Uproot Clean).

Your Ultimate Cleaning Toolkit

Wondering where to get started on buying tools to fight that fur takeover? Consider snagging these essentials online to make your life easier:

Equip yourself with these and say goodbye to pet hair chaos in your laundry days.

Wrapping It Up: Keep Calm and Keep That Washer Hair-Free

To sum up the epic quest against pet hair in your washing machine: vacuum diligently, wipe thoroughly, call in vinegar’s muscle, run cleansing tablets, and add a trusty sponge to every wash. Keep up with lint trap cleaning and embrace new tech when you can. Your clothes, washer, and nose will thank you.

Laundry with a pet is a love story—and armed with these tips, it’s one where fur doesn’t get the last word. Happy washing!