Anyone who lives with pets will know how stubborn pet hair is: it clings to clothes, blankets, and couch covers, even after repeated washing. Still, there’s one less-known laundry trick that many pet owners can utilise: popping a wet wipe into the washing machine. This tiny step helps to loosen pet hair and trap it so that your clothes and fabrics emerge from a cycle both clean and fur-free. It works because the wet wipe creates some minor surface friction and develops a mild anti-static effect while in the wash, which aids in helping hair lift off fabrics and into the washer filter or drain rather than sticking around. It’s inexpensive, quick, and uses items you likely already have at home, and no special tools or products are required. Let’s break down why this hack works and how you can use it effectively the next time you wash pet-hair-covered laundry.
How to use a wet wipe in the washing machine to remove pet hair
Here’s a simplified way to make this work for you:
- Choose a suitable wet wipe: A disposable, unscented, and alcohol-free wet wipe would be a good option. Wet baby wipes with lotions may not be appropriate since the presence of a high lotion content may leave a mark on fabric.
- Add to the load: Place one or two wet wipes directly in the wash drum with your clothes; you don’t even need to soak them in advance.
- Wash as usual: Wash your washing cycle as you normally do, depending on the fabric type. The pet hair will loosen and gather around the wipes.
- Remove and dispose: Finally, take the wet wipes that were used. These will probably be covered with pet hair. Dispose of them with your regular trash.
This trick is best used on lighter pet hair or regular laundry items. For heavy pet shedding, the wet wipe trick might be combined with lint remover tools.
Why this wet wipe hack works
This basic laundry works due to the following reasons:
- Reduces static: Wet wipes can help reduce static. The lower the static, the less likely the pet hair is to stick to fabric.
- Loosens pet hair: The wipe, moving gently, rubs against the fabric during washing, helping loosen any hair that may be entangled.
- Collects hair in the washer: The detached hair clings to the wet wipe or floats in the water, making sure fur does not accumulate on the washed clothes.
This doesn’t replace a lint roller or pet hair brush. You still have to use them. It just greatly enhances washing results on clothes with stubborn hair.
When this hack isn’t enough
For extremely hairy fabrics, such as heavy blankets or pet beds, you may still need to:
- Use a pet-hair brush or lint roller before washing
- Wet the item gently with your hands to loosen the hairs
- Wash these items separately on a heavy-duty cycle
It is also important to keep in mind that the wet wipe trick is best used as a complementary hack, rather than a complete replacement for deeper pre-cleaning when hair loads are very high.
Does this hack work for all fabrics
The outcome for this hack may vary depending on the fabric. It works best on:
- Cotton clothing
- Bedsheets
- Towels
- Light blankets
Heavily textured fabrics such as fleece or wool may require pre-cleaning.
