How to Remove Pet Hair from Clothes in the Washing Machine

To remove pet hair from clothes in the washing machine, shake items out before loading, place them in a Fur Magic Pet Laundry Bag, run a pre-wash tumble dry cycle if you have a dryer, and add an extra rinse. 

The laundry bag is designed specifically for this. Its silicone catchers collect hair inside the bag rather than letting it redistribute onto other items or clog your filter. While the Fur Magic Hair Catchers added directly to the drum provide effective hair capture on their own.

Step-by-step: the most effective method

Step 1: Shake clothes out before loading

Take each item outside or over a bin and give it a firm shake. This dislodges loose surface hair before it enters the machine, reducing how much the wash has to deal with. For heavily hair-covered items, use a Fur Magic Brush first for a more thorough pre-clean.

Step 2: Run a short tumble dry cycle first (if you have a dryer)

Run hair-covered items on a no-heat or low-heat setting for 10 minutes before washing. The tumbling action loosens embedded hair and sends it to the lint trap. This single step significantly reduces how much hair ends up in the wash. Clean the lint trap immediately after.

Step 3: Place items in the Fur Magic Pet Laundry Bag

Load items into the Fur Magic Pet Laundry Bag before putting them in the machine. Hair collects inside the bag rather than spreading to other items in the load or accumulating in your machine’s door seal and filter. Don’t overfill, leave room for water and agitation to reach all fabric surfaces.

If you’re washing items at 60°C, you may prefer our White Pet Laundry Bag which is ideal for deep cleaning and maintaining hygiene.

Step 4: Add Fur Magic Hair Catchers to the drum

Add Fur Magic Hair Catchers directly to the drum alongside your laundry. The catchers float freely and attract hair from all items in the wash, not just those inside the bag. They’re particularly effective for heavy shedders where even items not in the bag end up hair-covered. Available as a 2-pack (£7.99–£9.99) or a 4-pack (£9.99–£12.99) for larger households. Rinse the catchers clean after each use.

Step 5: Choose the right wash settings

A delicate or wool cycle works well for hair-covered clothing, the gentler agitation helps the laundry bag do its job without damaging fabrics. For pet bedding and throws that can handle a normal wash, add an extra rinse cycle at the end to flush any remaining loose hair.

Step 6: Clean your machine’s filter after every pet hair wash

Hair that escapes the bag will collect in your machine’s pump filter over time. Check and clean it after every load that includes pet items. A blocked filter reduces wash performance and can eventually cause machine faults. Most filters are accessible via a small panel at the front base of the machine.

Step 7: Use the Fur Magic Brush for any hair that survives the wash

A small amount of stubborn hair may still be present after washing, especially on knit fabrics. Run the Fur Magic Brush over items once dry; it removes remaining hair quickly and the self-cleaning base means it’s ready for the next pass immediately.

Quick reference: what works for pet hair in the wash

Method	Effort	Effectiveness
Pet laundry bag (Fur Magic)	Low	High, contains hair in bag
Hair Catchers in drum (Fur Magic)	Low	High, catches hair from all items
Pre-wash tumble dry (no heat)	Low	High, loosens embedded hair
Extra rinse cycle	None	Medium, flushes loose hair
Shake out before loading	Low	Medium, removes surface hair only
Washing without a bag	None	Poor, hair redistributes

Tips for heavy-shedding breeds

If you have a Labrador, Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, or any double-coated breed, you’re dealing with a different scale of hair in the laundry. A few additional steps help:

• Wash pet bedding separately. Combining it with your clothing spreads hair to everything in the load.
• Use the Laundry Bag & Hair Catchers bundle rather than the bag alone. The drum catchers provide an extra layer of capture.
• Pre-brush pet bedding outside before washing. Removing bulk hair before it enters the machine makes a significant difference.
• Consider a dedicated pet laundry day. Washing all pet items in one load, with the filter cleaned straight after.
• Run a drum-cleaning cycle monthly to clear any hair build-up in door seals and hidden areas.

For a full breakdown of how to remove pet hair, read our ultimate guide to pet hair removal.

Frequently asked questions

Does putting clothes in the washing machine remove pet hair?

It depends on how you do it. Without precautions, the wash can actually redistribute hair from heavily affected items to everything else in the load. Using a pet laundry bag with silicone hair catchers contains the hair and prevents this. Adding Fur Magic Hair Catchers to the drum also helps capture hair from all items in the wash. A pre-wash tumble dry cycle on no-heat loosens embedded hair before it reaches the machine.

What is the best way to remove pet hair from clothes in the wash?

The most effective method combines three steps: shake items out before loading, place them in a Fur Magic Pet Laundry Bag, and add an extra rinse cycle. For heavy shedders, add Fur Magic Hair Catchers to the drum to capture hair from all items. Run a short no-heat tumble dry first if you have a dryer.

Will pet hair clog my washing machine?

Yes, over time. Hair accumulates in the pump filter, door seal, and drain. Using a pet laundry bag significantly reduces how much hair reaches these parts. Clean your machine’s pump filter after every load containing pet items, and run a drum-cleaning cycle monthly if you wash pet bedding regularly.

Can I use a regular laundry bag for pet hair?

Standard mesh laundry bags will protect delicate items but are not designed to capture pet hair. The Fur Magic Pet Laundry Bag is made from a stronger material that allows water to flow through while effectively trapping pet hair inside the bag. Using a regular bag may still allow hair to escape into the drum and filter.

Does the tumble dryer remove pet hair better than the washing machine?

For loosening and removing hair, yes, especially on a no-heat cycle before washing. The tumbling action is more effective at dislodging embedded hair than water agitation alone. The ideal approach is dryer first (no heat, 10 minutes), then washing machine with a pet laundry bag.

How do I stop pet hair from sticking to clothes in the first place?

Regular deshedding of your pet removes loose hair before it falls on your clothing. The Fur Magic Deshedding Tool & Dematting Comb bundle used once or twice a week significantly reduces the amount of hair that reaches furniture, bedding, and clothes. Fabric softener in the wash also reduces static, which helps hair release from fabric more easily.

How often should I clean my washing machine filter if I wash pet items?

After every load that includes pet items, particularly bedding, throws, and clothing from heavy shedders. A blocked filter reduces wash performance and can cause drainage problems. Most filters take under two minutes to check and clear.

Is there a pet laundry bag I can use at 60°C?

Yes. The White Pet Laundry Bag is designed specifically for high-temperature washing at 60°C. It’s ideal for deep cleaning and maintaining hygiene, particularly useful for pet bedding, towels, or anything that needs a more thorough sanitising wash. It works the same way as the standard Fur Magic Pet Laundry Bag, collecting hair inside the bag rather than letting it spread through the drum.