How to Clean Cat Hair Off Carpet

Cats are supposed to groom themselves, right? Yet your frisky feline leaves hair and fur balls on clothing, the couch or carpet. Cleaning--and keeping--cat hair off your carpet isn't as challenging as you might think. Here are a few ways to keep the carpet free from cat hair.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Comb the cat's hair. Regular combing loosens and removes any shedding hair rather than the hair attaching itself to the ottoman.

2. Vacuum twice a week. The first vacuum is a thorough one--move the furniture, rugs, work on the pillows and drapes. The second vacuum--a few days later--is just a spot vacuum where the cat spends most of her time, such as that certain spot on the couch, bed, or where the sun falls on the floor.

3. Use an oversize lint roller. Once or twice a week, depending on how much the cat sheds, use a lint roller throughout the house. Look for a roller that has an extended handle and an oversize roll.

4. Spot clean with a squeegee on your cat's favorite resting places, the places where the most cat fur accumulates. The rubber edge of a squeegee picks up cat fur.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find oversize lint rollers in the home cleaning section of most stores. Look where the brooms, mops and dustpans are located.
• Consider a wire brush, shedding blade, soft comb or other cat grooming-specific tool. You can find these online or at most specialty pet care stores.
• Go online and search "shed control" for more ideas on getting your cat's shedding under control.
• Keep your cat's fur situation under control to reduce the likelihood of hairballs.

[perkoma]

on 10/10/2009 I clean houses for a living and recently had a "great" time removing cat hair from an oriental rug. the cat hair did not respond to a vacuum at all. it was SO thick!!! I had to use a damp rag and sweep the hair in sections off the rug. Looked great when i was done!

[breezzy]

on 1/23/2008 I use watered down fabric softer, spray on where you need the cat hair removed then just vacum or use the brush attachment alone and the hair comes right off and your freshen at the same time.