Pet hair can be a persistent problem in households with furry companions. While we love our pets, their shedding can lead to hair accumulating everywhere, including our washing machines. Excess pet hair isn’t easily washed away during a laundry cycle; instead, it often redeposits onto clean clothes or clogs up your machine’s system. This guide provides effective steps on how to dissolve and remove pet hair from your washing machine, ensuring your appliance stays clean and functions efficiently.
To begin the process of eliminating pet hair, it’s essential to first prepare your washing machine. Start by ensuring the washing machine drum is completely dry. Pet hair clings less effectively to dry surfaces, making removal easier. Leave the washing machine lid or door open and allow it to air dry thoroughly, ideally overnight. This drying period is crucial for the subsequent steps to be more effective in removing hair.
Next, utilize a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to physically remove as much loose pet hair as possible. Vacuum the entire washing machine drum, paying close attention to the bottom and sides. Also, vacuum any accessible areas around the inside and outside of the machine where pet hair might accumulate. This step mechanically removes a significant portion of the hair before moving to dissolving and cleaning agents.
A critical step in washing machine maintenance for pet owners is cleaning the drain pump filter. This filter acts as a lint trap, catching hair and debris. Locate the drain pump filter (refer to your washing machine’s manufacturer manual for its exact location as it varies between models). Remove the filter and clean out any accumulated gunk, hair, and residue. Reinstall the cleaned filter securely. Regular cleaning of this filter prevents blockages and ensures proper drainage, further aiding in pet hair removal from the system.
To further dissolve and flush out remaining pet hair, white vinegar is a natural and effective solution. Add 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the empty washing machine tub. Run a complete regular washing machine cycle on the hottest water setting. This hot water and vinegar cycle helps to loosen and dissolve any lingering pet hair stuck in the machine’s components and plumbing. The vinegar also acts as a natural deodorizer and cleaner for your washing machine.
After the hot water and vinegar cycle, while the washing machine is still empty, perform a manual wipe-down of the drum. Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing a quarter cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water. Use a sponge or cloth dampened with this solution to thoroughly wipe down the entire washing machine drum. Pay special attention to areas around dispensers and door gaskets (especially in front-loading machines) where debris and hair tend to gather. For hard-to-reach or smaller areas, use a scrub brush or an old toothbrush to ensure thorough cleaning.
Finally, to ensure your washing machine is completely clean and ready for the next laundry load, run one last cleaning cycle. Use a plain hot water cycle without any detergent or vinegar. This final rinse cycle will flush out any remaining loosened hair and vinegar residue, leaving your washing machine fresh and ready for use. Regularly following these steps will significantly reduce pet hair buildup, maintain your washing machine’s performance, and prevent pet hair from transferring back onto your freshly washed clothes.
