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Pet Hair on Blankets and Bedding: Pull It Off Before the Wash

Washing alone just moves pet hair around. Pull it off dry first, tumble it loose, then wash, and the blankets come out clean.

By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read

Time
20 min
Cost
Under $20
Difficulty
Easy
A rumpled gray fleece blanket on a bed covered in a layer of light dog hair
In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Free vs. permanent fix
  3. What you'll need
  4. Why it happens
  5. Try this first (free)
  6. When free fixes aren't enough
  7. Buy the fix
  8. Which blankets hold the most hair
  9. What to skip
  10. FAQ
  11. Related problems

Quick answer

The way to get rid of pet hair on blankets is to pull it off dry before you wash, because a wash cycle just moves the hair around and packs it into the weave. Shake the blanket outside, run a rubber brush or a damp rubber glove across it, then tumble it on no heat for 10 minutes and clear the lint trap before you wash. A reusable pet hair brush for bedding does the pulling in minutes.

Free fix vs. permanent fix

Free fix · 15 minutes

Shake, glove and tumble

  • Shake the blanket outside
  • Drag a damp rubber glove across it in one direction
  • Tumble on no heat for 10 minutes and empty the lint trap
  • Wash it alone, then dry again

How long it lasts: Works every time you do it. The hair returns as fast as your pet sheds.

Most readers choose Permanent fix
Reusable pet hair brush for bedding (illustration)
Illustration

A reusable pet hair brush for bedding

A damp glove works, but it is slow on a king-size comforter. A rubber-edged brush gathers the hair into a clump in long strokes, with no tape to run out. A quick pass before each wash keeps the machine and the dryer from clogging.

What to get: Reusable pet hair brush for bedding

How long it lasts: Years. It is rubber or bristle, and you rinse it clean.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you'll need

  • Rubber dish gloves

    Damp, they pull hair into clumps

    You have it

  • Dryer on air-fluff or no heat

    Tumbling loosens hair into the lint trap

    You have it
  • Our pick
    Reusable pet hair brush for bedding (illustration)
    Illustration

    Reusable pet hair brush for bedding

    Faster than a glove on big blankets and comforters

    Check price
  • Washer and dryer pet hair catcher (illustration)
    Illustration

    Washer and dryer pet hair catcher

    Tossed in the drum to catch stray hair

    Check price

Why it happens

1

Fabrics that grab hair

Fleece, flannel, microfiber and knit throws have a fuzzy or looped surface. Pet hair wraps into it, and static makes it stick.

2

Washing before removing the hair

Water swells the fibers and the hair mats down. Loose hair in the drum then sticks to wet fabric and lands back on clean blankets.

3

Static in the dryer

Dry heat charges the fabric, so hair clings to the blanket instead of reaching the lint trap, especially on synthetic fabrics.

4

A pet that sleeps on the bed

A pet that sleeps on the bed leaves a layer every night, and loose hair works into the weave under body weight.

Try this first (free)

Do these in order, starting with the simplest.

  1. 1. Shake it out

    Give the blanket a good shake outdoors, or over a bin, to knock off loose hair. Wear a mask if you are allergic.

  2. 2. Pull the hair off dry

    Tool used: Reusable pet hair brush for bedding

    Spread the blanket flat. Drag a damp rubber glove or a rubber-edged brush across it in one direction. The hair rolls into clumps you can lift off.

    Reusable pet hair brush for bedding (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Reusable pet hair brush for bedding · Faster than a glove on big blankets and comforters

    Check price on Amazon

  3. 3. Tumble it loose

    Tool used: Dryer on air-fluff or no heat

    Run the blanket in the dryer on air-fluff or no heat for about 10 minutes. Tumbling shakes hair into the lint trap. Empty the trap right away.

  4. 4. Wash it alone

    Wash on the cycle your care tag allows, with an extra rinse. Do not overload the drum. Washing the blanket alone keeps hair from moving onto other items.

  5. 5. Dry, then clean the drums

    Tool used: Rubber dish gloves

    Dry on low heat, clear the lint trap and wipe out the washer and dryer drums with a damp cloth before the next load.

When free fixes aren't enough

If hair is still stuck after a wash and a tumble, it is woven in, usually in fleece or microfiber. Another round of brushing before the wash beats a second cycle. If your washer drains slowly or the dryer takes longer to dry, a lint trap or drain filter full of hair is likely, so clear it. A reusable brush and a hair catcher stop the buildup so the rest of your laundry is not covered either. For a heavy shedder, the real fix is brushing the pet more often.

Buy the fix

Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.

Our picks compared
PickProductFixesWho it's forBuy
Best pick
Reusable pet hair brush for bedding (illustration)
Illustration
Reusable pet hair brush for bedding
hair woven into blankets, bedding and throws Households with a shedding dog or cat and fleece or microfiber blankets. Check price
Upgrade pick
Washer and dryer pet hair catcher (illustration)
Illustration
Washer and dryer pet hair catcher
stray hair floating onto the rest of the load People who wash pet bedding with other laundry or whose drain clogs with hair. Check price
Best pick
Reusable pet hair brush for bedding (illustration)
Illustration

Reusable pet hair brush for bedding

Fixes: hair woven into blankets, bedding and throws

Look for: Rubber edge or fine rubber bristles that lift hair; Wide enough to cover a blanket in a few strokes; A way to collect the hair, such as a built-in bin.

Who it's for
Households with a shedding dog or cat and fleece or microfiber blankets.
Honest downside
The fabric is delicate, such as silk or a loose knit. Test a corner or use a damp cloth.
Check price on Amazon
Upgrade pick
Washer and dryer pet hair catcher (illustration)
Illustration

Washer and dryer pet hair catcher

Fixes: stray hair floating onto the rest of the load

Look for: Reusable, with no sheets to buy; Goes in the drum with the load; Washable.

Who it's for
People who wash pet bedding with other laundry or whose drain clogs with hair.
Honest downside
You wash blankets alone and brush them first. You may not need it.
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.

How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on laundry and fabric care guides, pet-owner advice on removing hair before washing and what owners report in reviews of pet hair tools. We do not test products by hand.

Which blankets hold the most hair

Fleece, microfiber, flannel and chunky knits grab the most. Tightly woven cotton and smooth sateen let hair slide off. If your pet sleeps on a favorite blanket, choose a tight weave for the bed and keep the fuzzy throws for the couch.

What to skip

Washing first and trusting the lint trap

Wet hair clumps and sticks, and it can clog the washer's drain pump and the dryer vent. Sticky lint rollers also run out fast on a bed-size blanket.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of pet hair on bedding for good?
You cannot stop shedding, but you can cut it down. Brush your pet often, wash bedding weekly, put a washable throw on top of the bed and pull hair off before each wash.
Why does pet hair stick to blankets after washing?
Water mats the hair into the fabric, and static from drying makes it cling. Pulling most of it off dry before the wash, and drying on low heat with a clean lint trap, cuts it down.
Is it safe to wash pet hair in my washing machine?
A little is fine. A lot can clog the drain pump or filter, so remove the bulk first and check the filter if your washer drains slowly.
Can I use a lint roller on a blanket?
Yes, for small spots. On a full blanket the sheets run out fast, and the tape does not reach hair woven into fleece. A rubber brush covers a whole blanket and can be reused.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure

Reusable pet hair brush for bedding (illustration)
Illustration

Our pick: Reusable pet hair brush for bedding

Check price