Let’s face it: we spend a lot of time on the couch. Whether we curl up for an afternoon nap or entertain friends and neighbors at a party, our sofa is one of the most used pieces of furniture in the entire home. If you have an indoor pet, then he may also spend some time lying on the sofa. But, even if he isn’t allowed on the furniture, you can bet his hair will find a resting spot on your resting spot. Cleaning hair off a sofa takes time, but it can be done.

How you remove hair will depend on the fabric covering your sofa. Never use a hair removal method that could damage your furniture. Leather and imitation leather can be easily vacuumed, while microfiber and cloth couches may require additional work. Many vacuum cleaners come with special attachments to clean furniture, especially vacuums designed to remove animal hair. Try using the attachment first. Even if the attachment does not get rid of the deeply embedded hair, it will take care of the surface hair. If your vacuum cleaner does not have an attachment or you do not have a handheld vacuum, there’s no need to worry. You will still be able to get rid of that pet hair!

If you are dealing with a small piece of furniture, such as a chair, then often a lint roller will do the job. Start with a fresh sticky sheet and simply roll the chair. Once the hair is covering the sticky surface, then remove that sheet and start with a new one. If you are cleaning an entire couch, then a lint roller may not be the most efficient or practical tool. What did you use to remove lint from your clothing before you discovered the significance of a lint roller? More than likely, you used pieces of tape to remove the unwanted lint and hair. The same method can be used on your sofa, and it is often quicker than using a small roller. Grab a roll of packaging tape and wrap pieces around a cylindrical object. An empty paper towel roll or an empty two-liter bottle work great. If you go with a bottle, then make sure it’s completely empty and the cap is on tight. It is also a good idea to rinse it out first. The last thing you want is a soda stain on your sofa. Attach the tape so that the sticky side is facing up. Use your homemade roller the same way you use a roller purchased from the store.

If a homemade or store-bought roller does not solve your problem, then you still have other options. A fine tooth comb is great to get into the crevices of a cloth couch. Gently use the comb to scrape the couch (be careful not to damage the fabric). The smaller the scraping motion, the more hair you are likely to remove. Keep a trash can handy to throw away the wads of hair. If you have a microfiber couch, then a comb can still work. However, the great thing about microfiber is that it can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Grab a slightly dampened cloth or sponge and rub it over the couch. Like using the comb, keep the rubbing motion small. As the hair wads, simply throw it in the trash can.

With any type of fabric, textured rubber gloves can also help grab the hair. With the glove on hand, rub the fabric like you would if you were using a comb or sponge. The hair will wad, and you can throw it away.

Maintenance is a great way to cut down on the amount of hair on your furniture. If you have a vacuum attachment, then every time you vacuum the floor try to vacuum the furniture, too. Another great tip is to brush your pet regularly to remove any excess fur. Make sure you brush your pet outside; brushing him inside will only add to your problem.

When you keep a pet indoors, hair inevitably makes its way into your entire house. Keeping your pet brushed and your carpet and furniture vacuumed are two ways to cut down on excess hair. Once the hair embeds itself into your furniture, then you may have to try a couple of removal techniques to find one that works for you. But, don’t give up; the hair can be removed!

This article was written by Jessica Taylor who writes for www.discount-pet-mall.com a site featuring: fashionable dog carriers, portable dog crates and indoor pet gates.