Pet hair can be a real pain to get rid of, especially if it attaches to something sticky like velcro. When it comes to how to get hair out of velcro, you’ll find this to be one of the most problematic materials to deal with.
This sticky material is supposed to be attached to another piece just like it, but if that’s not the case, it becomes an absolute magnet for pet hair. If you have items at home with velcro components that are covered in pet hair, here is how to remove them.
Before we get started on exactly what tools to use to remove pet hair from velcro, let’s focus on some good housekeeping you should consider. The first, and most important tip is to remove hair as soon as you possibly can.
Velcro strips may continue to work even if they are covered in pet hair, but you will continue to push those tiny hairs deeper into the hook and loop of the velcro. Eventually, the velcro will stop working and whatever it is holding shut, will not be closed much longer.
Something else to consider here is the care with which you need to clean velcro. If you are too rough or abrasive, you can cause damage to those little hooks. This will also shorten the lifespan and efficacy of velcro.
Lint Roller
Lint rollers have multiple uses and do more than just remove lint. Removing pet hair from velcro is a good example.
These simple tools have a plastic handle at one end and a spindle or barrel at the other. This rotating spindle houses a roll of adhesive paper, that collects pet hair when you roll it over a surface.
Pet owners love these to use a lint brush or roller because they are simple to use, remove pet hair from velcro effectively, and are low-cost. Once the adhesive layer is full of hair, simply discard it and continue to use the fresh layer below.
After the entire roll has been used on the velcro, clothing, or furniture, simply take the roll off and replace it with a refill. Owing to the strength of the adhesive, dog, and cat hair is easily pulled from velcro. Be sure you don’t roll too firmly across the velcro as the little hooks could pierce the adhesive paper.
The simplest methods are often the most effective, and using duct tape to remove dog hair is a perfect example of this. Duct tape is preferred to packaging tape because of the added strength of the material.
Using a tape dispenser with a sharp cutting edge, roll duct tape two or three times around your hand, sticky side up. Using the palm of your hand, push the tape onto the velcro and then sharply pull away.
Next do the same using the back of your hand, filling up as much of the exposed tape as you can. You may need to repeat this process several times to remove as much pet hair as possible.
Water
Another very simple approach to removing pet hair is to use water to wash it off. This works well on velcro because of the plastic on velcro strips and its water resistance.
Give your hands a good soaking and then rub them across the velcro, focusing on the areas that have the most pet hair. Keep doing this until you can get off as much pet hair as you possibly can.
You may be surprised at just how easily the pet hair comes away once it is wet. The water acts as a very simple lubricant, getting underneath the hair, matting it together, and removing it.
Scrub With ToothBrush or Comb
Scrubbing pet hair away from velcro with a toothbrush or a fine comb can be very effective. When you use either of these tools, make sure that you scrub in one direction, to pull as much hair away as possible.
Start at one end and scrub down to the other, dragging as much cat and dog hair as you can. This method can work on its own, or you could use it to get rid of any remaining dog hair after using another method or tool. If you do use a toothbrush, try to use one which has firm bristles.
Vacuum
Using a vacuum cleaner will certainly help you suck all of that hair from the velcro. For best results make sure that you use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
The suction from the vacuum cleaner is going to be beneficial here, but it is the brush that will help to disrupt the hairs before they are sucked away. Don’t rush this, you already have enough power with the air suction.
Begin by scrubbing small areas of the velcro using the brush, in a backward and forward motion. Be sure to clean out the bag or filter once you have finished, as pet hairs can easily cause blockages.
Tweezers
If you are looking for the most meticulous approach how to get dog hair out of velcro then tweezers are the solution. Using tweezers you can grab both individual hair and clumps of hair and pull them right off the surface.
It should be noted that this is also one of the most time-consuming methods. With this being said, if you are happy to spend the time, you can be very precise and remove hair from velcro without leaving any behind.
Hair Dryer
If you are trying to remove pet hair that has only recently collected itself on velcro fasteners, a hair dryer could be your best weapon. This gadget will form a two-pronged attack on any pet hair, using heat and blasted air.
The heat will soften the velcro patches, thus unsettling some of the cat or dog hair. Once disrupted, the hair should then blow off with ease, thanks to the power of the air from the hair dryer. You may also use this method to try and remove any remaining pet hair or surface debris if all else fails.
Minimize Dog Shedding
What’s the best approach how to remove dog hair from velcro? Don’t let it get there in the first place. This may sound a little short-sighted if you do have a dog that sheds, but there are some basic rules that you can follow to at least minimize how far and wide the hair ends up.
If your dog is shedding then be sure to groom them every day. When you brush your dog, do it in an area where the dog hair won’t cause a problem. Additionally, look to use clothing that you don’t mind getting a little furry.
A common mistake pet owners make is failing to brush the undercoat of a dog, which is often where those fine hairs come from. Brush the top layer first until the hair isn’t falling easily, and then go deep into the coat to remove the rest.
Summary
With regular grooming of your pets, swift action when you see hair attached to velcro patches, and a couple of handy tools, you can greatly reduce the risk of this happening. Don’t let pet hair become deeply embedded in the clean velcro or it may become much weaker than it should be.
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