Dogs and cats shed hair a lot and especially during spring and fall. Consequently, they scatter their hair all over the house as they move around, obviously with no care in the world. Our love for our furry friends means we are more than willing to deal with their mess. When the situation calls for us to deal with pet hair, we will do whatever it takes. Unfortunately, it is not that easy. With this in mind, it is important to learn how to get rid of dog hair in washing machine.
Their hair will inevitably find its way onto our clothes and, if not removed beforehand, into the washing machine and dryer. Ideally, the best solution on how to get rid of dog hair in washing machine or dryer is to prevent the hair from getting in these machines in the first place.
As many pet owners will appreciate, removing fur from wet fabric is notoriously tricky and a big challenge. Therefore, the best idea is to remove as much hair as possible from your clothing or bedding before washing.
The Importance OF Removing Dog In Washing Machine And Dryer
It is common for dog hair to find its way into drain pumps, clogging them and slowing down your machine. The drain pump, located at the bottom of the washing machine, drains water from the washer drum after every wash cycle.
Typically, drain pumps provide ideal crevasses and barriers for fur, human hair, lint, and other similar items to stick and clump together. As such, if you have pets in the house, it is prudent to know how to get rid of dog hair in the washing machine. You will be guarding your washing machine’s efficiency.
Additionally, fur might combine with water, forming clumps of dog hair that adheres to the drum’s side. In most cases, the clumps of dog hair will find their way into your home drainage system, causing blockages and other plumbing issues at home. In such a case, you will need to hire a professional plumber to remove the ball of hair from the pipes to rectify the clog or slow drain.
The importance of removing pet hair from your washing machine and dryer cannot be overstated. To guide you through this part of routine cleaning, we will delve into getting rid of pet hair in washing machines and dryers in intricate details. Not only will this help you reduce pet hair accumulation in washing machines and dryers, but they will also help you keep odor at bay.
How To Get Rid Of Dog Hair In Washing Machine Made Easy
It is a wrong assumption to think your washing machine automatically cleans itself every time water passes through during laundry. On the contrary, lint, hair, dust, and detergent residue are likely to build up and compromise the efficiency of your clothes’ machine and cleanliness.
Fortunately, cleaning your washer is not a complicated task. Cleaning your washing machine every so often is a beneficial task that can save you money in repair and service costs. Washing machines can be pretty expensive to repair/replace.
Follow the steps below:
Step #1: Cleaning The Tub
Run a wash cycle on an empty load using hot water. You can allow the washer to soak overnight before you can run the wash cycle. Note that long and hot wash cycles or cycles meant to get rid of stains usually yield the best results
You can add 1 cup of chlorine, pine oil, or phenolic bleach if you want to disinfect the washer drum simultaneously. If you are going to get rid of dog hair in the washing machine, you might as well kill pathogens in the washer brought by clothing or beddings with bodily fluids, poison ivy, or pesticides.
Note:
1. If you choose to use the all-purpose bleach alternative, add it directly to the drums or use the detergent dispenser.
2. Do not add the all-purpose bleach in the machine’s bleach dispenser.
3. Read the usage instructions on whichever bleach you might use.
It is also not uncommon to use baking soda or vinegar for this stage. Baking soda works by scrubbing hair, mold, or lint inside the washer. Vinegar is also useful in dissolving mineral deposits that form in your washer from using hard water. Vinegar also softens the dog hair, which helps remove dog fur from your washing machine.
If you opt to use vinegar, you could add a few drops (not more than 10) of essential oils, like lavender. Essential oils are mild disinfectants (https://cleanmyspace.com/washer-and-dryer/).
Step #2: Rinsing
After running the solution for a while, choose “extra rinse” with hot water (if this feature is available in your washing machine) to rinse the washer (and remove any disinfectant you may have used). Allow the cycle to run till the end. Undoubtedly, this process is undoubtedly easier when using the latest models of washing machines as they come with advanced features like “tub hygiene” or “self-clean.”
Step #3: Wiping
A damp cloth (preferably a microfiber cloth) or paper towels are the best for wiping any hair and lint that may have remained in the drum. Add a few drops of your laundry detergent to the wiper before you work to remove dog or cat hair on all the nooks and crannies of the washer.
Use this chance to clean the inside of the door, rubber seals, gaskets, and other areas where dog or cat fur is likely to accumulate. You may use a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub off any detergent residue or mold you may find in the washer.
Step #4: Cleaning Lint Filter
Clean the lint filter if fitted, or remove it and wipe off any hair or dust. You can also rinse the lint trap if it can be removed from your machine or suck off hair using a vacuum cleaner.
Finally, set the washer to a high temperature and run it for another 10 minutes to ensure all bleach and any remaining hair and dust is washed away.
Step #5: Use A Vacuum Cleaner
Use the brush attachment for the vacuum cleaner to remove and suck any hair remaining in the washer and dryer drums. Ensure the washing machine is completely dry before you use the vacuum cleaner for this step
Optional Step: Clean The Outside Of The Washer
Consider cleaning the outside of the washing machine and the dispensing trays as well. Wipe the top, front, and sides of the washing machine with detergent and hot water. Thereafter, wipe down the outside surface with a dry cloth to remove unnoticeable hair strands on the machine so you will not worry much about how to get rid of dog hair off laundry in your next wash.
Leave the door open to let the washer air out and let moisture evaporate. Airing the washer is an effective way to curtail mold formation.
How To Remove Dog Hair From Dryer
It is easier to clean the washer than the dryer. Nonetheless, it is equally essential that the dryer drum remains hair-free and clean also.
Follow the following steps to clean your dryer:
Step #1: Empty Lint Filter
First, unplug the dryer and empty the lint filter. Use the vacuum cleaner to remove as much hair and lint as possible from the trap using the vacuum cleaner’s narrow wand attachment. You can wipe the filter using a duster.
Step #2: Remove The Back Panel
Unscrew the back panel of the dryer and pull it out. Here, you will see a lot of lint and hair after removing the panel on the back. Use a vacuum cleaner and its brush attachment to remove the hair or dust.
Step #3: Wipe The Drum
Wipe the dryer’s internal surface or use a vacuum cleaner to dislodge stuck dog hair from the dryer. Preferably, use a vacuum cleaner with a long, thin crevice attachment.
Step #4: Clean The Discharge Horse
Go a step further and shake hair and dust off the discharge horse located on the backside of the dryer. Take out the lint duct by detaching it where it is screwed. Wipe the lint duct using a duster or vacuum out any hair or lint.
Step #5: Clean The Outside Vent
Also, check the dryer’s outside vent to confirm there is no debris or hairballs blocking air from freely exiting the duct.
Use all-purpose cleaner in a spray bottle to wipe and clean off any hair or on the surface of the dryer drum. In this step, you could use a damp cloth or paper towel to do the wiping.
Additionally, you can take steps to remove odor from your dryer. To remove smells, run a dry cycle for a few minutes (without laundry) and then add dryer sheets and let the dry cycle run to the end. If possible, perform this task with the back panel uninstalled. Leave the dryer open to air out and for the moisture to evaporate. That way, you will keep smells and mold at bay and leave your clothes smelling fresh.
The Bottom Line
These tips are beneficial for pet owners who remove pet hair from their clothes using their washing machines and dryers. However, they will still come in handy even if you remove dog fur from the clothes before loading the washer. Crucially, this guide will help protect your washer, dryer, and plumbing system. Keeping hair from these systems is essential for their longevity.
