A Maytag® washer with a dog next to it.

4 Hacks For Removing Pet Hair From Your Laundry

Having a dog or cat at home can be one of life’s greatest joys, but playing with your pets can leave a lot of unwanted hair on your clothing. Removing pet hair from your laundry does not have to be a daunting task. Check out these tips for getting cat and dog hair out of clothing before you wash them, and get a first look at the newest innovations from Maytag brand to help simplify pet hair removal.

A person removing and emptying the Maytag® Pet Pro filter on a washer. Person removing and emptying the Maytag® Pet Pro filter on washer

Can dog or cat hair clog a washing machine?

Yes, it is possible pet hair can clog a washing machine filter if excess debris is collected. Wet clumps of hair in the washer can also affect performance if caught in the drain line, which may call for washer repairs. Maytag brand provides dependable service options and resources to help keep your appliances running smoothly.

The new Maytag® Pet Pro washer is built to remove and trap pet hair. Press the Pet Pro option to activate the built-in Pet Pro Filter and remove 5x more pet hair.1

A person doing laundry with a cat nearby. A person doing laundry with a cat nearby.

How to get dog and cat hair out of clothes

Before placing your clothes in the washer, taking a few preventive steps can help get cat and dog hair out of your clothes, including using a lint brush and tumble drying your clothes with dryer sheets or dryer balls.

A lint roller icon.

1. Use a lint roller

Using a lint roller on your clothing can be an effective tool to help remove pet hair, especially for hand-knitted items. If you don’t have a lint roller handy, try blotting the hair-covered spots with masking tape to capture any hair.

A washer icon.

2. Dry, Wash & Dry

To help get rid of pet hair in a regular washer and dryer, consider the dry, wash and dry method. Instead of first placing your hair-covered clothes in the washer, tumble dry them on a no-heat setting. This cycle is ideal to help loosen pet hair on already-dry items and allows debris to be caught by your dryer’s lint screen.

 

After tumble drying, wash your clothing as you normally would during your laundry routine. Remember to always refer to your clothing’s care tag for recommended settings and cycles.

 

Running a sanitize cycle in your washer after the initial drying and washing can also help get rid of any stubborn pet hair.

A dryer sheet icon.

3. Use dryer sheets

Whether you are following the dry, wash and dry method or doing a normal load of laundry, dryer sheets can help reduce static on your clothing. This static reduction helps prevent pet hair from sticking to clothes and instead allows your dryer’s lint trap to capture loose hair. To keep your dryer performing consistently, remember to clean the lint screen after each load.

 

Don’t have dryer sheets available? Not to worry. Dryer balls can be an effective alternative to help reduce static and minimize pet hair from sticking to your clothes.

A person selecting the Pet Pro setting on a Maytag® washer. A person selecting the Pet Pro setting on a Maytag® washer.
A washer and paw print icon.

4. Use a washer and dryer system designed to remove pet hair

Save time on pet hair removal by using a laundry set specially designed for the task, such as the Maytag® Pet Pro System. The Pet Pro washing machine option unleashes additional water and a deep rinse to activate the Pet Pro Filter, which lifts and captures pet hair from clothes. Once removed, pet hair is caught in the built-in Pet Pro Filter for a clean you can see. The Pet Pro dryer option uses a no-heat, extended dry time to lift additional pet hair from clothes and capture it in the XL lint trap. The Maytag® Pet Pro System works together as a complete laundry solution for pet parents to clean dog hair from dog blankets, beds, toys and more.

How can you prevent pet hair from getting on clothes?

Follow these tips to prevent pet hair from getting on your clothes:

  • Regularly sweeping hardwood floors and vacuuming fabric and upholstery can help get rid of pet hair before it gets on your clothing. 
  • Routinely grooming and brushing your pets can help tackle shedding and loose hair at the source. 
  • Periodically, shake and wash pet bedding to help get rid of excess hair. 

Learn more about how to get rid of dog and cat hair in your home.

A person doing laundry with a Maytag® washer and dryer set. A person doing laundry with a Maytag® washer and dryer set.

How do you keep pet hair out of the washer and dryer?

Using a lint roller to capture dog and cat hair on clothing and following preventative tips, like vacuuming upholstery and brushing your pets, can help get rid of pet hair before you place items in your washer and dryer. This is ideal to keep your washer clean and help prevent dryer vents from clogging, so your appliances can continue to provide consistent, dependable performance on laundry day.

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Explore Maytag® washers and dryers for all your laundry needs

Conquer pet hair like a pro with the Maytag® Pet Pro System, or shop all Maytag® washers and dryers to find the right fit for you. Select washers from Maytag brand also feature the Extra Power® button that helps boost stain fighting for a cleaning you can depend on. Discover the dependability and consistent performance for your next washer and dryer set.

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1. Comparing Normal cycle with Pet Pro Filter and option to cycle using traditional agitator without Pet Pro Filter and option. Results will vary based on fabric and type of pet hair.