Owning a dog can be one of the greatest experiences that life has to offer. But one of the more constant struggles dog owners have is the accumulation of the hair that’s shed. That pesky dog hair can seemingly get into just about everything, embedding itself in your car’s fabric upholstery and on furniture, blankets, carpets, and more. The list of targeted surfaces is virtually endless. So, what exactly can be done to take care of all the hair? Here’s a look into five options that do a lot of good individually, and perform even better if used in combination with each other.
Use of a vacuum is a great place to start when it comes to removing dog hair from just about any surface. It should be noted that the vacuum found near the car wash at your local gas station may not fully do the trick unless it has impeccable suction power. Hair from longer-coated or double-coated breeds is more easily picked up by a vacuum because of the length and softness of each strand of hair.
A wet/dry vacuum cleaner, such as the brand Shop-Vac, will give you the best results. They come in a number of models, can be used for multiple purposes, and they’re frequently recommended by house cleaners and auto detailers.
Specifically, when it comes to getting pet hair off of your clothing and upholstery, a lint roller is the best option to use due to its ability to stick to the hair on smoother surfaces. More carpeted or fuzzy surfaces can be more challenging for the lint roller, but it can still serve as a good starting point. For the most efficient results, look for a very sticky lint roller that is tailored specifically to remove stubborn pet hair.
Here’s one option you probably didn’t think of: pumice stones! Typically thought of as something used for human skin care and construction/cleaning purposes, pumice stones are arguably the best tool for getting out strongly embedded hairs, especially when it comes to the floorboard and trunk space and seat backs in cars. Several Dalmatian and Labrador Retriever owners shared with us that they found use of the pumice stone to be a highly inexpensive and effective way to loosen those short, hooked hairs. And those long-lasting stones are quite versatile; they can be used to clean stubborn toilet bowl rings and your grill (not the same stone, please). Note that it is better to buy a pumice stone made for cleaning needs as opposed to beauty needs.
You’ve probably often wondered how an auto detailer fully removes pet hair from a vehicle. And we’re talking about making the car 100% ready to sell, with not a single sign that an animal has ever taken a ride in it. For that purpose, look no further than the Lily Brush, which is another great option for owners who have a dog with short hair.
“The rubber edge grabs hair easily, and with just a few swipes, it collects a ton,” one happy customer wrote. “It’s especially helpful for areas where hair gets tangled into the carpet fibers and won’t come out with normal vacuuming. I have a Labrador who sheds like crazy, and this tool made cleaning so much faster and more effective. My car looks almost new again!”
This product was recently voted the best pet hair removal tool for laundry in 2025, according to a recent poll by The Spruce Pets. Advertised as a replacement for dryer sheets, this product comes in a variety of fun colors and patterns (including some with a dog’s face on them) and will keep your clothes fresh and hair-free.
It was also the winner of the “Best of the Best” product award by Hearst Media in 2019. “I have been proven wrong! My husband bought these, and I thought they would be a waste of money, but they are amazing,” one buyer reported. “Throw them in the dryer with your pillows and duvets and they’ll come out so fluffy and perfect, with less time needed in the dryer. Your flat old pillows will come out like new. And they’re reusable!
