It can be incredibly obvious when you’re out, especially when you’re wearing dark clothing. You are just used to it, but others might see you and think you look a bit crazy. That’s because you have pet hair all over your clothes.
Some breeds of dogs and cats shed more than others. If you happen to have one of those animals, you’re probably used to being surrounded by hair at all times of the year. Sure, you can use a lint roller or some tape to go up and down your clothes while you’re wearing them to clean up as much as you can. But why don’t you meet the hair before you actually put on the clothes? There’s an easy trick you can play with a dryer sheet that can make your clothes better the next time you wear them.
I was sick of dust coming back right after cleaning and this trick fixed it
Why do I dust if it immediately returns?
Adding a dryer sheet to your laundry is meant to reduce static
This can help your clothes look less wrinkled
Using dryer sheets can have multiple effects on your clothes. For one, they are great at eliminating static from your clothes. Have you ever searched for a sock while you’re folding laundry only to find it stuck to another piece of clothing via static cling? It can be an annoying part of the folding process and one that might make you lose a sock or two.
To avoid that, adding a dryer sheet to your load reduces the odds that happens. They minimize friction and neutralize electric charges. Dryer sheets are made of polyester and typically have fragrances and fabric softener on them. This is why your clothes will feel more luxurious once they come out of a drying session (pardon me if I think soft clothes feel luxurious).
You can use a dryer ball if you don’t have dryer sheets as well. These can be used over and over again and provide you with the same experience as a dryer sheet.
There are different times a year when he (my dog) sheds more than normal, as his coat is coming in. Those are times when we use dryer sheets the most in my house.
For really wrinkled clothing, dryer sheets also help relax the wrinkles. Many of them are scented as well, so they will give your garments a boost on their way out, especially if they happen to smell weird from being left in the washer. But dryer sheets can also do more than make your clothes smell good. They can eliminate pet hair from sticking to your clothes before you wash them.
Put your clothes with pet hair on them in the dryer with a dryer sheet before washing
All you need is 10 minutes to get the job done
I have an Irish setter / golden retriever mix who is handsome and a very good boy. He also sheds a good amount. Our house isn’t swimming in dog hair, but he does shed.
If you’re wearing black clothing, you’re almost certainly going to find dog hair on it if you are walking around our home. Forget about having clean pants if you happen to sit on the carpet as well. If you happen to sit in his favorite spot on the couch, which is the left seat and arm rest, where he sits and puts his face on to look out the window, you will no doubt have hair on the seat of your pants.
We knew he was a shedding dog when we got him, so we were prepared to deal with the consequences. There are different times a year when he sheds more than normal, as his coat is coming in. Those are times when we use dryer sheets the most in my house.
My wife wears a lot of leggings, so the dog hair is noticeable on them. We’ve had a lot of snow this year and any time we let my dog out for a decent romp in the backyard to play in the snow, we put a spandex outfit on him that my mother-in-law gave us. It protects his fur from getting completely covered in snow. But it takes a ton of hair with it when you get it off.
Before washing leggings, pajamas, towels, or his snow outfit, I throw them in the dryer with a dryer sheet. I turn on a short Air Fluff cycle for 10–20 minutes. When the garments come out of the dryer, the hair that was clinging to them is usually mostly gone.
Maintenance for this process is important
It’s easy to minimize pet hair on your clothes
If you decide to use this method, it’s important that you immediately clean out the lint trap after you’re done. Pet hair will collect there, even during a cycle with no heat. If you clean it out ahead of time, you eliminate the chances that it could clog your dryer vent.
A backed-up dryer vent has a greater chance of catching fire and being a fire risk. The sooner you clean out the lint screen after a load, the better you’ll be. Plus, your dryer will work so much better if the lint screen is clean.
You should also consider using your vacuum multiple times a year to suck out any lint that has made its way below the lint screen and into the vent.
Most dryer sheets have those softeners built into them, which are meant to work best on wet clothes. Since you’re throwing them in with dry clothes, your clothes may have a bit of a coating on them when they come out. Washing the clothes right after you do this trick will get rid of the coating.
You can minimize the coating by using a used dryer sheet. This is a good way to extend the life of your dryer sheets and eliminate the need to use multiple for a specific load.
Rid your clothes of pet hair with a simple dryer sheet
Pet hair can cling to towels, blankets, and clothes and be annoying to deal with. If you have clothes that are covered in pet hair, you should consider throwing them into the dryer with a dryer sheet before you wash them. The reduction of static cling can loosen the pet hair and the dryer can collect it in the lint screen. Washing your clothes right after gives you a fresher and less hairy outlook.
