You can remove dog hair from a car using a vacuum, lint roller, or duct tape. To prevent build-up, brush your dog before each ride and use washable seat covers.

Written by Amber Reed

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Aug 30, 2023

Table of Contents

8 ways to remove dog hair from your car
Tips to prevent dog hair buildup in your car
How to find cheap car insurance for you and your furry friend

If your car is covered in dog hair, you can clean it with a vacuum, lint roller, or duct tape. Brush your dog before every car ride, and use washable seat covers to keep the hair from building up again.

These days, we go everywhere with our furry friends. They come with us when we visit family, go shopping, or spend the day at the park. But this means that they also spend a lot of time in our cars—and nothing attracts dog hair quite like your car seats and upholstery.

In some cases, pet hair removal only takes a few minutes with a lint roller, but stubborn hair might require creative cleaning methods.

Here with a guide on how to remove pet hair from your car is

Jerry

, the

trusted insurance comparison app

that saves you money on your

car insurance

. We’ll go over eight hacks you can use to get your car’s interior looking like new again, and some ways you can prevent dog hair buildup.

8 ways to remove dog hair from your car

Most dog owners fight a constant battle with pet hair in their cars. It works its way into nooks and crannies, finds its way into your glove box, and ends up on virtually every surface inside your car. Thankfully, cleaning pet hair out of your vehicle doesn’t require professional services—instead, you can use these great DIY methods and hair removal tools.

Vacuum cleaner

Using a vacuum cleaner might seem like the obvious choice, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. If you want to make the job easy, use a portable vacuum that has a lot of suction power, and purchase a nozzle attachment with rubber bristles. These nozzles are specially designed to pick up loose hair.

Static electricity with balloons

If you want to try a less conventional approach, balloons are surprisingly effective at dog hair removal. All you need to do is blow up a few of them, rub them on a surface that generates static electricity—like your clothes or a microfiber blanket—then run them over your car upholstery and car carpet. The balloons will attract the pet hair, which you can then simply brush off into the trash.

Lint roller

Pet owners are probably familiar with using lint rollers to remove hair from their clothes or furniture, but they can also be used to get pet hair out of a car. These low-cost tools can be purchased at any big box store or on Amazon for just a few dollars, making them a very cost-effective way to clean up your car.

Make sure to start with fresh adhesive, then run the roller over the parts of your car covered in hair. Use a fresh sheet whenever the old one begins to lose its stick.

Duct tape

Using duct tape to get dog hair out of your car works similarly to using a lint brush, but it has one major advantage: because duct tape can be torn off in small sheets, it’s extra-effective at removing pet hair from the hard-to-reach crevices between your car seats.

All you need to do is cut off pieces of duct tape, press the sticky side down against the pet hair you want to remove, then pull it up again. The dog fur will now be stuck to the tape instead of your car!

Squeegee

A rubber-tipped squeegee (the same kind you’d use to clean a glass shower door) is another excellent tool for picking up pet hair. By running the rubber blade over your car’s upholstery and carpet, you can gather any loose dog fur into a neat pile, which can then be easily scooped up by hand or with a vacuum.

Fabric softener

Fabric softener contains chemicals that break down hair, and it’s safe to use on both leather and cloth upholstery. Spritz your fabric softener on a paper towel, then run the damp towel over the area you want to clean. Wait a few minutes while it dries, then use a vacuum or a lint roller to gather the loosened hair.

Do not use fabric softener if you drive a luxury vehicle with a suede interior—it will damage the fabric!

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Rubber gloves

You can use a pair of rubber gloves to clump the pet hair in your car, making it much easier to pick up. Grab a set of dishwashing gloves or grooming gloves, put them on, then rub your hands over the surface you want to clean. When you’re done, use your fingers or a vacuum to gather the loose hair.

Pumice stone

A pumice stone can remove calluses from your feet or hands, but did you know that it also makes a great hair removal tool? Because of the stone’s rough texture, it’ll lift stubborn hair that’s stuck in your car’s upholstery or carpet.

Rub the stone over the surface you want to clean, then use a vacuum or some duct tape to pick up the loosened dog fur. If there’s pet hair stuck to your pumice stone when you’re done, spray the stone with a mixture of water and fabric softener. Once it dries, you can gently brush the hair off into the trash.

MORE: Tried and true ways to get rid of pet odor in your car

Tips to prevent dog hair buildup in your car

While pet hair usually isn’t too difficult to remove, it can sometimes be a long and time-consuming process. If you don’t want to waste your valuable time cleaning your car’s interior, here are a few tips for keeping your vehicle hair-free.

Brush your dog with a pet hair brush before every drive.

Use a set of washable seat covers, or install a dog car seat.

Use a car cleaning service to have your vehicle professionally detailed two to three times a year.

MORE:

Tips for driving with your dog

Key Takeaway Keep your car interior tidy by taking steps to prevent pet hair buildup.

How to find cheap car insurance for you and your furry friend

Driving with your dog is a great way to bond and create long-lasting memories, but what happens if your dog is in the car when you get into an accident? Some car insurance companies offer pet insurance or

pet injury coverage

—and some even cover pets under their

collision coverage

policy!

Want to optimize your car insurance to cover both yourself and your dog?

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can give you a hand.

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