How to Remove Dog and Cat Hair from Your Car

Dog and cat hair works its way into car seats and carpet far more stubbornly than into a sofa. Short, stiff hairs weave into the fabric, static holds them in place, and an ordinary car vacuum often leaves most of them behind. This guide covers the tools and the order that actually get it out, for cloth seats, carpet, the cargo area and leather, and how to keep it from building up again.

It follows the pet hair guidance of the car care maker Stoner Car Care. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for interior cleaning instructions too, especially for leather, suede-like materials or heated and ventilated seats.

Why pet hair sticks in a car

Stoner Car Care explains that pet hair sticks to car interiors because of static electricity and the fibrous texture of upholstery, with carpets and cloth seats trapping hair like magnets. Cat hair and short, coarse dog hair are the hardest, because they push into the weave instead of lying on top. That is why the steps below loosen the hair first and vacuum it last.

What you need

A vacuum with a pet hair brush attachment and a crevice tool
Rubber gloves (household dishwashing gloves) or a rubber squeegee
A lint roller, or wide tape
A soft nylon detailing brush for seams and crevices
A fine pumice-type pet hair stone, for carpet only (optional)

Step by step: cloth seats and carpet

Take the floor mats out and shake or beat them outside. Stoner suggests starting by taking the mats out and shaking them well. Work in good light, since hair blends into upholstery.
Vacuum first. Stoner recommends beginning with a thorough vacuuming to tackle surface-level hair, ideally with a pet hair brush attachment. This removes the loose layer so you are not just moving it around.
Break the static with rubber. Stoner’s method is to lightly dampen rubber gloves and rub them across the upholstery in smooth, sweeping motions, which pulls hair into clumps you can pick up. A rubber squeegee does the same on carpet and cloth seats, dragging hair to the edges. Work in one direction.
Pick up stubborn strands with a lint roller, or tape wrapped around your hand sticky side out, as Stoner suggests.
Use a pumice stone on carpet only, gently. For hair embedded in carpet, Stoner suggests gently working the surface with a pumice stone using light pressure. Keep it off leather, vinyl, plastic trim and delicate seat fabric, and try it on a hidden patch first, such as under a seat.
Clean the seams and crevices. Pet hair hides between seats, in seat seams and around the console. Stoner recommends a nylon detailing brush to loosen it; if you use compressed air, vacuum straight after so the hair does not settle somewhere else.
Vacuum again to collect everything you loosened.

Leather and vinyl seats

Hair does not weave into leather, so it is much easier: vacuum with a soft brush attachment, then wipe with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Do not use a pumice stone, stiff brush or squeegee edge on leather or vinyl; they can scratch. Pay attention to the stitching and the gap between the seat back and cushion, where hair collects. Clean and condition leather with products made for automotive leather, following your owner’s manual.

The cargo area and seat backs

The trunk or cargo carpet of a car that carries a dog often holds more hair than the seats. Use the same order: vacuum, rubber glove or squeegee, lint roller, then vacuum again. The back of the rear seats and the side panels are usually carpeted too.

If you use a seat cover or hammock, see how to clean a dog car seat cover, hammock and booster seat.

When the job is done, clear the hair out of your vacuum too; see how to clean your vacuum after pet hair.

Vents and cabin air filter

Hair and dander also get pulled into the vents. Vacuum the vent grilles with a soft brush attachment. A heavily used pet car can clog the cabin air filter faster, so check it at the interval in your owner’s manual and replace it as the manual describes.

Keep it from building up

Use a washable seat cover or cargo liner. Stoner recommends washable pet covers or blankets to protect the seats, laundered regularly. A cover catches most of the hair and comes out in one piece. See how to wash pet hair out without clogging your washer and dryer.
Brush your pet before the trip, outdoors, especially in shedding season.
Do a quick pass after each trip with a rubber glove or lint roller while the hair is still on the surface.
Reduce static. Stoner suggests a light mist of anti-static spray or diluted fabric softener on the upholstery so hair lets go more easily. Test it on a hidden spot first, check your owner’s manual, and keep it off leather.
Use a crate or carrier. It keeps most of the hair in one place. See how to clean a pet accident in your car for crate and seat cover tips.

The same tools work at home; see how to clean pet hair and drool off a sofa.

If your dog uses a ramp to get into the car, see how to clean a pet stroller, dog ramp and pet stairs.

Smell as well as hair?

Hair on its own carries some odor, but a strong smell usually means urine, vomit or a wet dog has soaked into the seats or carpet. Our car accident guide covers cleaning those, and a UV black light helps find old spots; see how to find pet urine with a black light.

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 a car accident can be dealt with on the spot. Check the label for car upholstery use and test it on a hidden area first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to get dog hair out of car carpet?

Vacuum first, then drag a slightly damp rubber glove or squeegee across the carpet in one direction to pull the hair into clumps, and vacuum again. For hair that is still stuck, work it gently with a pumice-type pet hair stone.

Is a pumice stone safe for car seats?

Only on carpet and sturdy cloth, with light pressure, after testing a hidden spot. Do not use it on leather, vinyl, plastic or delicate fabric.

Why does my vacuum not pick up pet hair in the car?

Static and the weave of the fabric hold the hair in place. Loosen it first with a rubber glove, squeegee or brush, then vacuum.

How do I stop my dog shedding all over the car?

You cannot stop shedding, but a washable seat cover or cargo liner, brushing your dog before trips and a quick lint roller pass after each trip keep it under control.

Sources

Stoner Car Care: How do I remove pet hair from a car?

This guide is general cleaning information. Follow your vehicle owner’s manual and the product label, and test tools and cleaners on a hidden area first.