How to Get Dog Hair Off Hard Floors

Dog hair on hard floors drifts into corners, clings to skirting boards and lifts into the air every time someone walks past. Here's how to get dog hair off hard floors, and how to keep it from building up.

Why is dog hair hard to sweep?

Static. Hair clings to hard surfaces, and a dry broom pushes it into the air instead of picking it up. Anything slightly damp, like a microfibre mop pad, works better.

How do you get dog hair off hard floors?

1. No need to sweep or vacuum first. A wide flat microfibre mop picks up dust and hair as it goes, and a barely damp pad stops the static that makes hair cling and float away.
2. Work towards the middle of the room, so hair doesn't scatter back into corners.
3. Get the edges and under furniture. Hair collects along skirting boards and under sofas and beds.
4. Finish with a slow final pass. A damp microfibre pad catches the fine hairs too. Static is what makes hair cling, and a little moisture stops it floating away.
5. Rinse the pad when it loads up with hair, and change the water if it turns cloudy.

What else works?

• A damp rubber glove wiped across a surface gathers hair into a clump.
• A squeegee drags hair off rugs and mats into a pile you can pick up.
• A dry microfibre cloth on a flat mop for a quick daily pass over hard floors.

How do you reduce the hair in the first place?

• Brush your dog regularly. A grooming expert quoted by CHOICE suggests a weekly session at home, plus a professional groom every four to six weeks to take out the excess undercoat. Coat caught in a brush never reaches the floor.
• Brush outside where you can.
• Wash pet bedding weekly.
• Keep a mat where your dog sleeps and shake it out.

Does it change by floor type?

Not much. The method works on tile, vinyl, hybrid, laminate and timber. The only difference is how wet the pad can be: on timber, laminate and hybrid, keep it barely damp and dry the floor afterwards.

Fast passes, no wringing by hand

The Cleanmatic 8-in-1 flat mop and bucket set is made for frequent quick cleans. Push the mop into the bucket, pull it back through the double scrapers, and the pad comes out damp and ready. The wipe holder takes a dry cloth for a hair pass between mops.

Dog hair FAQs

Does a damp mop pick up dog hair?

Yes. A slightly damp microfibre pad stops static, so fine hairs stick to the pad instead of floating away. There's no need to sweep or vacuum first: a wide flat microfibre mop picks up the bulk and the fine hairs in the same pass.

Is a rubber broom better than a normal broom for dog hair?

For hard floors, usually yes. Rubber bristles build up a charge that attracts hair, while a standard broom tends to flick it into the air and back into corners. But you don't need either before you mop: a damp flat microfibre mop picks up the hair as it goes.

Can a robot vacuum keep up with dog hair?

It helps a lot with the daily layer, especially in heavy-shedding seasons. You'll still want a regular pass along skirting boards and corners, where hair collects and robots often miss.

How do you stop dog hair collecting in corners?

Brush your dog regularly, clean edges and under furniture once a week, and finish with a damp mop so the fine hair doesn't drift back.

Related guides: How to clean floors with pets and kids · Best mop for hybrid floors · How to mop floors properly

For the routine around it, read how to clean floors when you have pets and kids.

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