How to remove pet hair from your car

How do you clean pet hair from your car’s carpets, seats and boots?

We've done the grunt work and uncovered a bunch of methods to help you banish that pesky fur with ease.

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This little hero is a staple in any pet owner's arsenal. Keep a metal lint roller in your glove compartment and give your carpets a quick once-over whenever needed, then suck it up with a vacuum. It's a swift solution for grabbing stray hairs from coarse, carpeted material before they become an entangled mess.

A window squeegee isn't just for glass – it also works a treat for pet hair on smoother upholstery too. Simply glide the rubber edge over your car seats to gather those clingy hairs. Pro tip: use a spray bottle of distilled water to mist the area to avoid residue.

Slip on a pair of rubber gloves and dampen them slightly. Run your hands over surfaces where pet hair lurks. The static charge should attract the hair like a furry magnet.

Don’t have any tools handy? Wrap a piece of duct tape around your hand (sticky side out, of course) and glide over your car's interior. The tape should latch onto the pet hair, leaving your car cleaner with every pass. This one will work best for smaller patches of hair here and there. If you're thinking of using it on leather or synthetic leather seats, it might be worth doing a patch test first to ensure the tape won't lift off any surface material.

For those stubborn hairs lodged deep in your car’s carpet fibres, Jonathan Monson, a detailer from Dirty2Dreamy, says a pumice stone comes to the rescue. Gently rub the stone over the area to dislodge the hair without causing snags. As an added bonus, a pumice stone can level a frayed carpet too. Of course, avoid using this on leather seats and any areas close to paintwork to prevent potential damage.

For floor mats, mix a solution of water and fabric softener, then lightly spritz it over the hairy battleground. Grab a microfibre cloth and wipe – the softened hair should surrender in no time. However, avoid using this fix on leather or synthetic leather seats as it could leave a mark.

Upgrade your pet hair-removal game with specialised brushes designed to tackle this very issue. These brushes feature rubber bristles that lift and gather pet hair from fabrics effortlessly.

Sprinkle baking soda on your car carpets, let it sit for a bit, and then give it a thorough vacuuming. Not only will it help loosen pet hair, but it'll also tackle any lingering odours – a double win! However, avoid using baking soda on leather seats and paintwork as it could have a damaging effect.

Invest in a portable handheld vacuum cleaner designed for pet hair removal. These compact devices pack a punch, making quick work of even the most stubborn fur.

Pet hair is unstoppable, and cleaning it is inevitable. But there are a couple of ways you can slow it down and make the task of removing it easier. Start by using seat covers or pet blankets to protect your upholstery. Another option is to crate or restrain your pet during car rides to minimise their contact with interior surfaces.

It’s important to be wary of using certain solutions on your car’s interior depending on the material. When all else fails, seek out the professionals. Detailers have a treasure trove of tricks up their sleeves, from high-powered vacuums to specialty cleaning solutions.

With these fur-fighting tactics at your disposal, you're armed and ready to tackle the pet hair predicament in your car. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your tools, and you'll be cruising hair-free in no time.