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Pet hair comes off blankets more easily when you remove the loose hair before washing, leave enough room in the washer, and use an extra rinse. The washing machine can loosen hair, but it may not remove every strand from fleece, microfiber, or other clingy fabrics. A short dryer cycle before washing often helps, as long as the blanket’s care label allows it.
The Best Way to Wash Pet Hair Off Blankets
1. Shake the blanket outside
Take the blanket outdoors and shake it from several sides. This removes loose fur before it can collect inside the washer.
For a large or heavy blanket, hang it over a railing or clothesline and gently beat it with your hand. Avoid using anything sharp or rough that could damage the fabric.
2. Remove thick patches of hair
A washer works better when the blanket is not covered in a heavy layer of fur. Use one of these simple methods:
- Run a lint roller over the blanket.
- Wipe it with a slightly damp rubber glove.
- Use a pet-hair brush made for fabric.
- Drag a rubber squeegee lightly across the surface.
- Vacuum the blanket with an upholstery attachment.
You do not need to remove every hair. Focus on clumps and areas where your pet usually sleeps.
3. Use the dryer before washing when allowed
Check the care label first. If machine drying is allowed, place the dry blanket in the dryer for about 10 minutes on an air-only or low-heat setting.
The tumbling action can loosen hair and move it into the lint filter. Air-only is the safer starting point for blankets that may shrink or react badly to heat.
After the cycle:
- Remove the blanket.
- Clean the lint filter.
- Shake the blanket again.
- Place it in the washer.
Do not use this method for blankets marked air-dry only, dry-clean only, or unsuitable for tumble drying.
How to Set Up the Washing Machine
Wash pet blankets separately
Do not wash a hairy blanket with clothes, sheets, or towels. Loose fur can move onto the other items instead of leaving the load.
You can wash two small pet blankets together if the machine still has plenty of open space. Large comforters, thick throws, and heavy pet blankets are usually better washed alone.
Do not overload the drum
The blanket needs room to lift, drop, and move through the water. A tightly packed washer cannot rinse away loosened hair well.
After placing the dry blanket in the washer, you should still be able to move it around without forcing it down. A bulky blanket may need a larger machine at a laundromat.
Choose the water temperature from the care label
Warm water can help release oils and dirt, but it is not right for every fabric. Some fleece, wool, plush, and brightly colored blankets need cool water.
Follow the care label rather than choosing the hottest setting. Heat can cause shrinking, fading, matting, or damage to special finishes.
Use the right amount of detergent
Use a normal amount of detergent for the load size and soil level. Adding extra detergent does not pull out more hair.
Too much detergent can leave residue on the blanket. That residue may make some fabrics feel stiff or sticky and can make future hair harder to remove.
A low-sudsing detergent is important in high-efficiency washers. Check the detergent label and your washer instructions.
Select extra water or an extra rinse
When your washer offers these settings, they can help carry loosened hair away:
- Extra rinse
- Deep fill
- Water plus
- Bulky or bedding cycle
- Heavy soil setting
Use the bulky or bedding cycle only when the washer manual says it is suitable for the blanket. Some delicate blankets need a gentler cycle instead.
An extra rinse is often the most useful option. It helps remove hair and detergent that may remain after the main wash.
Recommended Settings by Blanket Type
| Blanket type | Washing approach |
|---|---|
| Fleece | Cool or warm water as allowed, gentle or normal cycle, extra rinse |
| Microfiber | Cool or warm water, avoid overloading, extra rinse |
| Cotton | Follow the care label; normal or bulky cycle may be suitable |
| Plush pet blanket | Gentle cycle, cool water, extra rinse |
| Wool | Use only settings and detergent approved by the care label |
| Weighted blanket | Check the product instructions and washer weight limit |
| Electric blanket | Follow the manufacturer’s current washing instructions exactly |
Fleece and microfiber tend to hold pet hair because their surfaces create friction and static. They may need brushing before washing and another light brushing after drying.
Drying the Blanket
Check the care label before using heat.
When machine drying is allowed, tumble the blanket with enough room to move freely. Stop once or twice during the cycle to clean the lint filter if the blanket was very hairy.
Learn how to remove stubborn blanket odors by identifying the source, checking care labels, pretreating, washing correctly, drying fully, and cleaning storage.
Low heat or air-only drying is often a practical choice for fleece and synthetic blankets. High heat can shrink fabric, damage fibers, or make some blankets feel rough.
Do not place a soaking-wet, oversized blanket in a small dryer. The weight can strain the machine, and the blanket may dry unevenly.
For air-dried blankets, shake the blanket well before hanging it. Once it is fully dry, use a lint roller, rubber glove, or pet-hair brush to remove any remaining strands.
Clean the Washer Afterward
Pet hair can collect around the drum, door seal, filter, or drain area.
After removing the blanket:
- Wipe the inside of the drum with a damp cloth.
- Check the rubber door gasket on a front-loading washer.
- Remove visible fur from the detergent drawer area.
- Check and clean the washer filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Run an empty rinse cycle if a noticeable amount of hair remains.
Do not reach into filters or drain areas while the machine is running or connected to power. Follow the washer manual when cleaning removable parts.
Leaving the washer door open for a while after use can help the inside dry, provided it is safe to do so in your home.
What to Avoid
Do not put a heavily matted blanket straight into the washer
Large clumps of hair can spread through the load, collect in the machine, and reduce washing performance. Remove the worst buildup first.
Do not stuff the washer
A packed drum may leave the blanket partly dirty, poorly rinsed, and still covered in hair. It can also cause the load to become unbalanced.
Do not use extra detergent as a hair remover
Detergent cleans oils and dirt. It does not dissolve pet hair. Using too much can create a residue problem without improving hair removal.
Do not mix cleaning products
Do not combine bleach, vinegar, ammonia, or other laundry additives unless the care label, washer instructions, and product labels clearly say the combination is safe. Some mixtures can produce dangerous fumes.
Do not ignore the washer’s size limit
Wet blankets can become very heavy. Weighted blankets, thick quilts, and oversized pet bedding may exceed the washer’s capacity even when they fit inside the drum.
Check the washer manual and the blanket instructions. Use a larger machine when needed.
How to Reduce Pet Hair on Blankets Between Washes
Removing hair often is easier than dealing with a thick layer on laundry day.
Shake pet blankets outside every few days. A quick pass with a lint roller, rubber glove, or handheld vacuum can also keep fur from becoming pressed into the fabric.
Giving pets their own washable throw can protect a larger comforter or sofa blanket. Choose a blanket that fits easily in your washer and dries without taking several cycles.
For a shared bed, place the washable pet blanket over the area where your pet usually sleeps. Wash that smaller layer more often instead of washing the full bedding set each time.
When the Hair Still Will Not Come Off
Some fabrics naturally grip fur. Fleece, sherpa, microfiber, and fuzzy polyester can hold short pet hairs even after washing.
Try this order:
- Let the blanket dry completely.
- Brush it with a rubber tool or pet-hair brush.
- Shake it outdoors.
- Run an air-only dryer cycle if allowed.
- Clean the lint filter and check the blanket again.
Replacing a blanket may be practical when the fabric is badly pilled, worn, or permanently packed with hair. For future pet blankets, smoother cotton fabrics are often easier to clean than deep-pile fleece or sherpa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a blanket covered in pet hair directly in the washing machine?
You can, but removing loose hair first usually gives better results. Shake the blanket outdoors and remove thick patches with a lint roller, rubber glove, brush, or vacuum before washing.
Does the washing machine remove all pet hair?
Not always. Washing loosens some hair, but fleece, microfiber, and plush fabrics can hold onto it. A dryer cycle before or after washing may remove more hair when the care label allows machine drying.
What washing machine setting is best for pet hair?
Use the cycle required by the blanket’s care label. An extra-rinse or extra-water option can help carry away loosened fur. Avoid overloading the washer.
Should I use more detergent on a hairy blanket?
No. Extra detergent does not dissolve pet hair and may leave residue. Use the detergent amount recommended for the load size, washer type, and soil level.
Can pet hair clog a washing machine?
Large amounts of hair can collect in the door gasket, filter, or drain area. Remove heavy buildup before washing, wipe the drum afterward, and clean the washer filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Is it better to wash or dry a blanket first?
When the care label allows tumble drying, a short air-only or low-heat dryer cycle before washing can loosen dry hair. Clean the lint filter before moving the blanket to the washer.
How do I remove pet hair from a fleece blanket?
Shake and brush the fleece before washing. Wash it with room to move, add an extra rinse, and use an air-only or low-heat dryer setting if allowed. Brush the blanket again after it is fully dry.
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