Interior

How to get pet hair out of your car

Pet hair weaves itself into carpet and fabric, which is why a regular vacuum barely touches it. Here's what works, and when it's worth handing it off.

How to get pet hair out of your car
Key takeaways
  • Loosen the hair first, then vacuum.
  • A rubber glove or pet hair stone works better than a lint roller on carpet.
  • Heavy buildup is quicker to fix with a professional interior detail.
On this page
  1. Why pet hair is so hard to remove
  2. What works at home
  3. When to call a pro
  4. Keeping it under control

Why pet hair is so hard to remove

Short, stiff hairs work their way into carpet and seat fabric and hook onto the fibers. A vacuum pulls from the surface, so most of the embedded hair stays put until it's loosened.

What works at home

  1. Loosen it. Drag a damp rubber glove or a pet hair stone across the fabric in one direction. The hair balls up.
  2. Vacuum. Use a crevice tool and a brush attachment, working in sections.
  3. Finish with a lint roller on seats and headrests.
  4. Prevent it. A seat cover or blanket for the dog makes the next cleanup much easier.

When to call a pro

If the hair is packed into the carpet, mixed with dirt and odor, or you just don't want to spend an afternoon on it, an interior detail is faster. We use air-compressor blow-outs, brushing, full vacuum, and shampoo and extraction to pull hair, dirt and smells out of the fabric.

Heavy pet hair can add time to the job. Text us a photo and we'll let you know before we start.

Keeping it under control

  • Brush your dog before car trips when you can.
  • Use a washable seat cover.
  • Do a quick rubber-glove pass every week or two so it never builds up.
Want us to take a look?

Text us a couple of photos and we'll tell you exactly what your car needs, with a price.

Common questions

How much is an interior detail with pet hair removal?

Our Complete Interior Detail starts at $150. Very heavy pet hair can add time, and we'll tell you before we start.

Can you get rid of the dog smell too?

Shampoo and extraction remove a lot of the dirt and oils that cause odor. We'll tell you what to expect for your car.

Written by FTG Mobile Detailing

Mobile detailers based in Woodbury, NJ, doing full details, interiors, paint correction and ceramic coating across South Jersey.

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