How to Remove Dog & Pet Hair From Your Car | Car Detailing Tips

Anyone who owns a fluffy friend knows that with great fur comes great responsibility!  Pet hair can really get anywhere, and that’s especially true in your car.  One trip to the vet, beach, or trainer can be a disaster for your car’s interior, and as a professional car detailer, we’ve seen it all when it comes to hairy situations.  The key to removing pet hair from your car is having the right tools and enough elbow grease to get the job done.  Without the right tools, it can feel impossible to get all of the hair out, especially if your pet is a frequent traveler.  That’s why we’ve compiled our favorite tools and techniques, ranging from easy, DIY solutions, to the professional grade tools that we use here at CB Detailing.  So, buckle up and get ready to enjoy a pet-hair free car!

Tool #1  |  The Lilly Brush

Starting off strong, the Lilly Brush is our personal favorite when it comes to most pet hair situations, even as a professional.  While it may cost a few bucks more than its competition, the price is well worth it, as the rubber surface is great for pulling up lots of pet hair at once.  And, the tool doesn’t wear out over time or damage the carpet, which is a common issue with other tools.  However, the brush requires a lot of elbow grease and time to get the job done, especially in situations where there are only a few pieces of hair left that are really stuck.

Tool #2  |  The Fur-Eel

As the leading vacuum attachment for pet hair removal in the detailing industry, it’s easy to see the appeal of the Fur-Eel.  Compatible with most shop-vacs, the Fur-Eel can make quick work of a lot of pet hair, all while the vacuum takes it all away.  However, there are a few drawbacks, like the head of the tool wearing down and becoming ineffective after a few uses.  It also requires a strong vacuum for maximum effectiveness, so in situations where a vacuum isn't present, it becomes mostly useless.

Tool #3  |  The Pumice Stone/Pet Hair Brick

One of the more old-school products here, the Pumice Stone is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward tool.  On the good end, the Pumice Stone can tear through pet hair like there’s no tomorrow, depending on the condition and type of carpet the hair is stuck in.  But, for the bad, the tool is known for damaging carpets over time, and leaves a chalky residue that needs to be vacuumed out of the carpet after, which can be a pain at times.  Similarly, the plastic Pet Hair Brick that is common on Amazon has similar properties, as it only works some of the time, and can quickly wear down with heavy use.

Tool #4  |  The Good Ol’ Rubber Glove

Looking for the best tool to get into those tricky cracks & crevices?  Surprisingly, a normal rubber or latex glove can be an easy remedy, even as a professional.  Just put it on, and use your fingers to get into wherever the hair may be.  However, for the downsides, the gloves can be easy to break with heavy use, and generate a lot of heat on your finger quickly, so make sure not to overuse it!

Tool #5  |  The Drill Brush

One of our favorite detailing tools when it comes to cleaning carpet is the drill brush, and that is also true when it comes to dealing with pet hair.  Using the “toilet brush” attachment as we call it, the brush is able to trap and remove pet hair from the carpet, which is especially useful for higher quality & thicker carpet.  However, for cheaper, thinner carpet (like that in most SUV trunks), it will not be as effective compared to other tools.

Tool #6  |  The Tornador

This one is a more professional-grade solution, but it's what we use on a daily basis, so it's worth mentioning.  The Tornador hooks up to an air compressor, and creates a vortex of air that quickly agitates pet hair out of the carpet without any physical effort from you.  However, without a very high-quality and powerful air compressor, the tool cannot function effectively, which puts it out of the question for most non-professionals.

Even with all of these tools, a lot of elbow grease, and a lot of time, it is possible for some hair to be permanently stuck in the carpet.  This is especially true for lower quality carpet, and hair that has been present for an extended amount of time.  As such, it is very important that you deal with pet hair early and often, as if left for too long, there may be nothing you or a professional can do.

And there you have it, our professional detailing method of getting rid of pet hair from your vehicle.  If this sounds like a lot to take in, and a lot of work, we get it!  For anyone who lives on the South Shore or Cape Cod in MA, we have good news–we can help you with our pet hair removal service as a part of our full interior detail!  And, if you’re just looking for more detailing information, you’re in luck!  The rest of our blog is jam-packed with all things detailing!