A washing machine is not the best tool for removing pet hair. Loose hair in a wash load tends to cling to wet fabric, collect in the drum, and land on the next load of laundry. Getting most of the hair off the couch cover before washing is what makes the wash itself work.
Shake It Out First
Take the cover off the couch carefully, folding it inward on itself so the hair stays on the inside as you carry it. Shake it outdoors or over a spot that's easy to sweep, holding it by the edges and snapping it a few times to loosen surface hair.
A quick shake removes a surprising amount, especially from smooth or quilted fabrics. Hair woven into textured or fuzzy fabrics needs more help.
Tools That Lift Embedded Hair
A few common tools work well on most covers:
- Rubber gloves or a rubber brush: dampened slightly and wiped across the fabric, they gather hair into clumps you can pick off.
- Lint rollers: good for smaller areas and quick touch-ups between washes.
- Vacuum upholstery attachment: useful on the cover while it's still on the couch, before you remove it.
Work in one direction across the fabric, and check seams and quilting lines, where hair tends to collect. Test any brush on a hidden area first, since stiff bristles can pill some fabrics.
Washing by the Label
Once most of the hair is off, follow the cover's care label for washing. Labels often specify water temperature, cycle, and whether bleach or fabric softener should be avoided. Some covers are labeled for machine washing; others recommend hand washing or spot cleaning only.
Treat washing and drying as separate instructions. A cover labeled machine washable isn't necessarily labeled dryer-safe — check the drying instruction on its own, since heat can shrink some fabrics or affect backings and elastic edges. If the label says air dry, lay the cover flat or hang it until it's fully dry.
Keeping the Washer Clean
After washing a pet cover, some hair may stay in the drum or the washer's filter. Wipe the drum with a damp cloth and clean the filter if your machine has one, following its manual. Running a short rinse cycle with the machine empty can also help clear leftover hair before your next load.
Elastic and straps wear with repeated washing as well; Why Slipcover Elastic Straps Wear Out Before the Fabric Does explains what affects their lifespan.
Common Questions
Q: Can I put a pet couch cover in the dryer to remove hair?
Only if its care label allows dryer use, and at the setting the label states. Many owners shake and brush the cover first, then follow the label's drying instruction.
Q: How often should a pet couch cover be washed?
It depends on how much your pet uses the couch. Many owners clean it whenever hair, dirt, or odor builds up, and spot-clean between washes.
Choosing an Easy-Care Cover
When you browse Slipcovers, check each listing's stated fabric, care instructions, and size against your couch and your pet's shedding.
- Fold the cover inward before removing it to trap hair inside
- Shake it out outdoors, then lift embedded hair with rubber or a lint roller
- Wash according to the care label's specific instructions
- Check the drying instruction separately from the washing one
- Clean the washer drum and filter after a pet-hair load
Most of the work of washing a pet couch cover happens before it goes in the machine. Remove the hair first, follow the label for each step, and the cover comes out cleaner without leaving hair behind in your laundry.