8 Methods on How To Get Hair Out Of Your Carpet
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You’ve probably wondered how to get hair out of your carpet, that’s why you are here. Getting hair out of carpet can be frustrating and challenging. Its tendency to wrap around and cling to carpet fibers can make it tough to remove easily.
Fortunately for you, we have done the research, tried out a variety of items and techniques, and come up with the best ways of getting hair out of your carpet. These methods are simple, cheap, safe, and effective.
Why hair gets stuck in carpet
Hair falling out is a normal part of life. Humans are constantly shedding our hair and it will inevitably fall on everything, including your carpet. Now, when it lands on most surfaces, it can be easily picked up or wiped away. But when it comes to carpets, hair has a habit of being stubborn to remove. There are two main reasons for this:
- Hair becomes embedded in carpet fibers, wrapping around them, often caused by people walking over it
- Hair can 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, it is also unavoidable. 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 how to clean hair from carpet
Most people go straight for the vacuum cleaner when they want to remove hair from their carpets. But, as noted above, this can make the problem worse and is certainly not how to get hairs out of carpet. You are far better off choosing one of the following methods when faced with wanting to get hair out of 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. Don a pair of rubber gloves (dishwashing gloves tend to work best and can be found in any supermarket)
2. Fill a bucket with clean, cold water
3. Head to the problem area and dip your gloved hands into the bucket
4. Run your hands over the carpet and watch the wet gloves lift the hair away almost like magic
5. Keep dipping your hands into the bucket of water to clean off the 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 hair. And the gloves being wet, makes the 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
As the name suggests, for this one, you need a stiff brush. Go for one with hard bristles, as the firmer they are, the more effective it will be in removing hair from your carpet. All you need to do is brush the carpet, using short, small strokes, to lift the hair out of your carpet. 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.
Lint roller method
This method is best suited to smaller areas of carpet, such as small rugs. 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, or especially 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 hair for thicker carpets, however.
Damp sponge method
Using a damp sponge works on a similar principle to the wet rubber glove idea. While a sponge will not create as much friction as rubber gloves, it will get the job done. Again, all you need is cold water, and no complicated chemicals.
Carpet rake method
If you own a carpet rake, then congratulations. Because you have everything you need to use the fastest, easiest, and most effective method of answering “how to get hair out of a 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 hair out of your carpet safely and effectively.
Rubber squeegee method
Few people would ever guess that the humble squeegee, popular for cleaning windows, is also a brilliant way of removing hair from carpet. Also working on a similar principle to the wet rubber glove method, all you need to do is wet the squeegee then drag it across the carpet and watch it lift the 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 hair. While it does work, we tried this and found that even on standard, shorter carpets, without a massive amount of hair, we still needed to go over the exact same spots more than once to achieve full hair removal. If you are working with a smaller area, a very thin carpet, and not much hair, this might be the method for you.
Fabric softener method
The fabric softener method is a little misleading. It is not a stand-alone way of removing hair from carpets. Rather, 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 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 hair
Combining the fabric softener method with many of the others above can protect your carpet, prevent pulling or damage, and has the added bonus of making your carpets smell amazing.
What about different types of carpets?
The methods described above can be used on most kinds of carpets. However, some are better than others for speciality carpet types and these will now be discussed.
How to get human hair out of 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 get hair out of 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 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 hair out of your carpet effortlessly and you will not need to be worried about possible damage from a rougher carpet rake or squeegee.
How to get hair out of Frieze carpet
Frieze carpet is notoriously difficult to clean, due to its tight weave and thickness. When removing 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 hair from this carpet type.
Frequently Asked Questions for How To Get Hair Out Of Your Carpet
What about removing pet hair from my carpet?
This article focuses on removing human hair from carpets. For pet hair removal ideas, check out the ff posts:
How to get hair out of the carpet without causing damage
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 hair from it.
Can I use water to remove hair from carpets?
Yes, you can use a damp cloth or sponge to help gather hair from carpets. However, avoid soaking the carpet as excessive moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth.
We hope this article has given you some handy tips on how to remove human hair from your carpets. Remember to keep it simple, and feel free to try out all of the above methods to see which one works best for you!
