How To Get Cat Hair Out of Carpet

Removing cat hair out of carpet can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle.

Cats constantly shed their fur, all year round, and it inevitably builds up in your carpet. Fortunately for you, we are cat owners and understand your struggle.

So, we have done the research, tried out a variety of items and techniques, and come up with the best ways of getting cat hair out of your carpet. These methods are simple, cheap, safe, and effective.

Why cat hair gets stuck in your carpet

Anyone who has pet cats will attest to having this problem. Cat hair sticking in the carpet.

Cats shed; it is just that simple. And they shed a lot. Even short-haired cats frequently drop their fur. This fur will fall on everything in your home, inevitably, your carpet as well. While most surfaces will not present an issue, when cat hair lands on your carpet, it can be tricky to remove for two reasons:

1. Cat hair is fine and easily becomes embedded in carpet fibers, wrapping around them, and this is made even worse when people (or cats!) walk over it

2. Cat hair can also get stuck in your vacuum hose, so when you use a normal vacuum cleaner, you can add more hair to your carpet instead of removing it

As frustrating as this sounds, if you have cats, it is also unavoidable. Cat hair will fall and get stuck in your carpet. You cannot prevent this, so it is best to focus your attention on how to remove it most effectively.

Methods for removing cat hair out of carpet

Some websites recommend daily vacuuming to alleviate this problem of cat hair on your carpet. But given few people have the time to vacuum their entire home every day, we have compiled this handy guide of more realistic, and effective methods for removing cat hair from your carpet.

Wet rubber glove method

This is so simple and effective; you will not believe it until you try it for yourself. All you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Put on a pair of rubber gloves (best are dishwashing gloves and can be found in any supermarket)

2. Fill a bucket with clean, cold water

3. Dip your gloved hands into the bucket to get good water coverage on the gloves

4. Run your hands over the problem area of carpet and watch the wet gloves lift the cat hair away almost like magic

5. Keep dipping your hands into the bucket of water to clean off the cat hair you pick up and keep your gloves wet

6. For larger or particularly problematic areas, you may need to empty the bucket and replace the water until the job is done

The wet rubber glove method works because the rubber in the gloves creates a source of friction that attracts the cat hair. And the gloves being wet, makes the cat hair stick to them. It is cheap and effective, and you can even safely get your kids involved in helping you clean without fear of any harsh chemicals because all you need is rubber gloves and cold water.

Stiff brush method

For this one, you need a stiff brush, and the stiffer the better. One with hard bristles is the ideal, as the firmer they are, the more effective it will be in removing cat hair from your carpet. All you need to do is brush the carpet, using short, small strokes, to lift the hair out. You will need to stop and clear the hair from the brush periodically, but you do not need to use any chemicals or harsh cleaners. In a pinch, a human hairbrush can also work wonders on cat hair on your carpet.

Lint roller method

This method is best suited to smaller areas of carpet. To attempt it on a large area would be very time-consuming and would use a significant amount of the lint roll. But it is worth keeping in mind for small jobs, like rugs, or especially cat hair that has only just fallen as it will pick up quite easily. Be aware, that this method is unlikely to be as effective at removing cat hair from thicker carpets, however.

Damp sponge method

Using a damp sponge works similarly to the wet rubber glove idea. While a sponge will not create as much friction as rubber gloves, a little effort on your part will get the job done. Again, all you need is cold water, and no complicated chemicals. Simply wet the sponge then grip it firmly and rub it over the area where the cat hair is. If you rub hard enough; you will create more friction which will make this method even more effective.

Carpet rake method

A carpet rake is by far the fastest, easiest, and most effective method of removing cat hair from your carpet. All you need to do is run the carpet rake over the area, like the way you would rake leaves in your yard. It functions exactly like a garden rake, only with softer bristles so it will not damage your carpets. This one is especially good for longer, thicker carpets, as it almost acts as a comb, to grip and lift cat hair out safely and effectively. To prevent damage to longer, thicker carpets, it helps to think of it like a hairbrush. You want to go with the direction of the fibers to avoid unnecessary pulling.

Rubber squeegee method

Did you know that the rubber squeegee you use to clean your windows is also a brilliant way of removing cat hair from your carpet? Also working on a similar principle to the wet rubber glove and wet sponge methods, all you need to do is wet the squeegee then drag it across the carpet and watch it lift the cat hair. If you can attach your squeegee end to a long pole, the job will be even quicker and easier as you won’t need to bend.

Tape method

This one is included for the sake of completeness; however, we do not recommend this for large areas or thick carpets. It involves placing strips of tape on your carpet, patting it down firmly, and lifting it to remove the cat hair. While it does work, we tried this and found that even on standard, shorter carpets, without a massive amount of cat hair, we still needed to go over the exact same spots more than once to achieve full cat hair removal. If you are working with a smaller area, a very thin carpet, and not much cat hair, this might be the method for you.

Fabric softener method

The fabric softener method is not exactly a method on its own for removing cat hair from carpet. In fact, it is best used when combined with one of the other above methods. It works like so:

1.    Mix one parts fabric softener to three parts cold water in a spray bottle

2.    Shake well, but only to combine the ingredients; you want to avoid creating too much foam

3.    Use the spray bottle to lightly mist, not soak, your carpet and leave for approximately 5-10 minutes

4.    Use one of the following methods explained above; wet rubber gloves, stiff brush, damp sponge, carpet rake, or rubber squeegee to remove the cat hair from your carpet

5.    The lint roller and tape methods are not recommended for use with the fabric softener method as the lint and tape will not “stick” to misted carpet well enough to be effective at removing cat hair

Combining the fabric softener method with many of the others above can protect your carpet, prevent pulling or damage, and also makes your carpets smell amazing.

What about removing cat hair from different types of carpets?

The methods described above can be used on most kinds of carpets. However, some are better than others for specialty carpet types and these will now be discussed.

How to remove cat hair from car carpet

Car carpet is extremely short, and the fabric softener method is not recommended. You want to avoid moisture inside your vehicle at all costs. For this reason, any methods described above including the use of water should not be used. Instead, the stiff brush method or carpet rake (ideally if you can shorten the pole) are your best bet here.

How to remove cat hair from shag carpet

Shag carpet tends to be thick, but also not as tight of a weave as standard carpets. This paradoxically makes it easier and harder to remove cat hair from. For shag, you want to combine the fabric softener method with the wet rubber glove or damp sponge method. It will lift the cat hair out effortlessly and you will not need to be worried about possible damage from a rougher carpet rake or squeegee.

How to remove cat hair from frieze carpet

Frieze carpet is notoriously difficult to clean, due to its tight weave and thickness. When removing cat hair from frieze carpet you cannot hold back. You need to combine the fabric softener method with the carpet rake method. It is the surest, and least painful way to remove cat hair from this carpet type.

Finally, if it can be helped – try to prevent getting cat hair on the carpet.

Regular grooming of your feline friend can significantly reduce shedding. Invest in a good cat brush and make it a bonding experience for both of you.

We hope this article has given you some handy tips on how to remove cat hair from your carpets. Remember to keep it simple, and feel free to try out all the above methods to see which one works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions on How To Get Cat Hair Out of Carpet

What about removing dog hair from my carpet?

Note that this article focuses on removing cat hair from carpets. For dog hair removal ideas, check out https://steamcleanqueen.com/how-to-get-dog-hair-out-of-carpet/. For human hair removal from your carpets, please see https://steamcleanqueen.com/how-to-hair-out-of-carpet/ 

How can I prevent damaging my carpet while removing cat hair from it?

Using the fabric softener method can help loosen your carpet and make other products less resistant to gliding over it. This will not only make the job easier for you, but it will also reduce the risk of carpet pulling and becoming stretched or damaged.

Most importantly, never use harsh chemicals on your carpet when attempting to remove cat hair from it.

Are there specific vacuum cleaners designed for pet hair removal?

Yes, many vacuum cleaners come with specialized attachments and features designed to tackle pet hair effectively. Look for models with HEPA filters and strong suction power.