Pet Hair and Odor in the Washer and Dryer: How to Clean Both

If you wash dog blankets, cat throws or clothes covered in fur, some of that hair stays behind in the washing machine and the dryer. Over time it clogs filters, sticks to the next load and, together with detergent residue and damp, can make the washer itself smell. This guide covers getting hair off before the wash, cleaning the washer and the dryer afterwards, and keeping pet odor out of both.

It follows the care instructions that washer makers LG and Whirlpool publish for odor and buildup, and the U.S. Fire Administration’s dryer safety tips. Your appliance’s manual comes first: filter locations, cleaning cycles and approved cleaners differ between models.

Before the wash: get the hair off first

Shake it out outside. Blankets, bed covers and throws lose a lot of loose hair with a good shake.
Vacuum or lint-roll heavy items. Dog beds and covers with a thick layer of fur are worth a quick pass with a vacuum or a rubber glove before they go in. See how to clean a dog bed or cat bed.
Try a short dryer tumble first. A few minutes in the dryer on a no-heat or low-heat setting loosens hair, which then collects in the lint filter instead of the washer. Clean the filter right after.
Do not overload the drum. Clothes need room to move so the water can carry hair away and rinse it out.
Wash pet items on their own, or with old towels, not with your dark clothes.

For dog coats, harnesses and collars, see how to clean dog clothes, coats and harnesses.

Sheets and duvets covered in hair from a pet that sleeps on your bed? See how to get pet hair off sheets, duvets and your bed.

Washing items with urine or vomit on them

Rinse solids off outside the machine first, then rinse urine spots with cold water. Humane World for Animals recommends enzymatic cleaners for pet urine, because they break down pet waste odors; a pre-soak in an enzyme product before the regular wash removes more smell than detergent alone. For the full method on fabrics, see how to get dog pee out of clothes, bedding and shoes.

Before washing curtains, check the care label first; see how to clean pet hair and smell out of curtains and blinds.

Cleaning the washing machine

1. Remove hair from the drum and door seal

After a load of pet items, wipe the empty drum with a damp cloth or paper towel to pick up the hair left behind. On a front loader, LG notes that the door gasket can collect lint and hair strands from washing, and that if they are not removed they can leave gaps or hold water, which lets mold and odor form. Pull the rubber seal back gently and wipe inside the fold.

2. Clean the filter

Many front loaders have a drain pump filter behind a small panel at the bottom front; some newer machines also have a separate pet hair filter. LG explains that a clogged drain pump filter leads to poor draining, leaving water in the drum that causes odor over time. Check your manual for where the filter is and how to open it, and put a towel and a shallow tray down first, since some water will come out.

3. Run a cleaning cycle once a month

Whirlpool advises running its washer cleaning procedure at least once a month or every 30 wash cycles, whichever comes sooner, using a washer cleaner tablet or the amount of chlorine bleach its manual specifies on the Clean Washer cycle. LG recommends its tub clean cycle once a month to prevent odor and buildup. Use the cycle and the cleaner your own manual names.

Safety: never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners. If you run a bleach cleaning cycle, do not add anything else to it.

4. Let it dry out between washes

Whirlpool advises always leaving the lid or door open between uses to help the washer dry out.
LG suggests unloading clothes promptly after a cycle finishes, so damp laundry does not sit in the drum.
Wipe the door seal dry after the last load of the day.

5. Use the right amount of detergent

Whirlpool says to always use high-efficiency (HE) detergent in its HE washers and never more than the recommended amount. LG notes that detergent may not dissolve fully in cold water, which leads to buildup and odor. More detergent does not remove more pet smell; it leaves residue that holds onto it.

Cleaning the dryer

Clean the lint filter before and after every load. This is the U.S. Fire Administration’s advice for all dryers, and it matters more with pet hair, which fills the filter quickly. The USFA says you are at higher risk of a dryer fire if you do not clean the lint filter and dryer vents.
Never run the dryer without the lint filter, which the USFA also warns against.
Check behind the dryer. The USFA advises cleaning the back of the dryer, where lint builds up, and checking that the vent hose is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
Check the outside vent. Make sure the outdoor vent cover opens when the dryer runs, another USFA tip. If clothes take longer than usual to dry, the vent may be clogged; have it cleaned.
Wipe the drum. A damp cloth on the inside of the empty drum picks up hair that would otherwise stick to the next load.

When the washer smells like your pet

Remove any hair from the drum, the door seal and the filter.
Run the cleaning cycle from your manual on an empty machine.
Wipe the door seal and the detergent drawer, then leave the door open to dry.
If the smell comes back after a few cleaning cycles, contact the maker; LG suggests contacting its support if odor persists after repeated tub cleaning.

If the laundry still smells after washing but the machine does not, the odor is usually still in the fabric. Treat it with an enzyme soak and air dry it, then sniff it before using heat, since the dryer can make urine smell harder to remove.

Washing bedding from a pet with ringworm? See how to clean your home when your pet has ringworm for laundry and cleaning the machine afterwards.

For lint rollers, tape and wool or delicates, see how to get pet hair off clothes.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit has gloves, an enzyme odor product, an absorbent powder and a UV black light in one pouch, so you can treat bedding and clothes before they go in the machine. Check the product label for fabric use and test it on a hidden area first. For odor in the rest of the home, see how to get rid of dog smell in the house.

Frequently asked questions

Will pet hair damage my washing machine?

Large amounts of hair can clog the drain pump filter. LG notes that a clogged filter causes poor draining and odor. Removing hair before washing and cleaning the filter regularly prevents most problems.

How often should I clean my washer if I have pets?

Whirlpool recommends its washer cleaning procedure at least once a month or every 30 cycles, whichever comes first. If you wash a lot of pet bedding, check the filter and door seal more often.

Do dryer sheets or wool dryer balls help with pet hair?

They can help loosen hair so it ends up in the lint filter, but they do not replace cleaning the filter. Clean it before and after every load, as the U.S. Fire Administration advises.

Can I use vinegar to clean my washer?

Follow your manual. Whirlpool’s cleaning procedure uses a washer cleaner tablet or chlorine bleach, not vinegar. Never combine vinegar with bleach.

Sources

LG: Washer troubleshooting: odor and buildup
Whirlpool: Removing odors from the interior of a washer
U.S. Fire Administration: Clothes dryer fire safety (PDF)
Humane World for Animals: How to remove pet stains and odors

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow your washer and dryer manual and the product label, and test cleaners on a hidden area first.