How to Get Rid of Dog Hair on Blankets (Washer Tricks)

How to Get Rid of Dog Hair on Blankets: The Pre-Wash Trick That Works

By Paul B., Founder and head cook for the dogs of Pups Gourmet Kitchen · Last updated: October 3, 2026

How to get rid of dog hair on blankets: shake the blanket outside, run it through a 10-minute no-heat dryer cycle with a dryer sheet or wool dryer balls, clear the lint trap, then wash it on the bulky cycle. Dry-loosening the hair first is the step that makes the wash work.

Key Takeaways

Run blankets through a 10-minute air-fluff dryer cycle with no heat before washing. The tumbling pulls loose hair into the lint trap (Consumer Reports).
Wet hair is harder to remove. Speed Queen’s Randy Radtke told Consumer Reports, “Once water is added, it becomes that much more difficult.”
Wash dog bedding and blankets every 1 to 2 weeks, more often for heavy shedders (Maytag).
Use the bulky cycle and the hottest water the care label allows, with an extra rinse for sensitive dogs (Maytag).
Half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse can help loosen hair, but check your washer manual first. Some brands, including Whirlpool, advise against it (Consumer Reports).
After a pet-hair load, run an empty wash or self-clean cycle and wipe the drum and gasket (Consumer Reports).

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To get rid of dog hair on blankets, take the hair off dry before the blanket ever touches water. That’s the whole secret. Throwing a furry blanket straight into the washer turns loose hair into wet, clingy strands that stick to everything else in the load.

Here’s the dryer-first method, how to adjust it for fleece, sherpa and knits, and how to keep the hair from ending up in your washer.

Husky watching as a fleece blanket covered in dog hair is shaken out by the laundry room door — Shake it outside first. Every handful that drops here is one less in your washer.

10 minno-heat dryer cycle before washing pulls hair into the lint trapSource: Consumer Reports

1–2 wkshow often to wash dog bedding and blanketsSource: Maytag

½ cupwhite vinegar in the rinse, if your washer manual allows itSource: Consumer Reports

1 : 3fabric softener to water for an anti-static pre-mistSource: Lexi Brown via Future/AOL

Why does dog hair cling to blankets so badly?

Dog hair clings to blankets because of static and texture. Soft, fuzzy fabrics like fleece, sherpa and minky build up static that holds hair against the fibers, and loopy knits physically hook short hairs. Once the blanket gets wet, the hair mats down and grips even harder.

That’s why washing first rarely works. As Speed Queen spokesperson Randy Radtke put it to Consumer Reports, pet hair is a challenge on most fabrics, and adding water makes it harder.

How to get rid of dog hair on blankets, step by step

This method works on almost any washable blanket. Check the care label for water temperature and dryer heat.

Shake it outside. Give the blanket a hard shake outdoors, corner by corner. It sounds too simple, but it removes a surprising amount of loose fur.
Dry-remove the surface hair. Dampen a rubber glove slightly and sweep the blanket in short strokes in one direction. Consumer Reports recommends this damp-glove trick for sheets and blankets, and a rubber pet-hair brush or reusable pet-hair roller works the same way. On static-heavy fleece, professional cleaner Lexi Brown’s light mist of 1 part fabric softener to 3 parts water helps hair let go (Future via AOL). Test a corner first.
Run a 10-minute no-heat dryer cycle. Tumble the blanket alone on air fluff with a dryer sheet or a few wool dryer balls. Consumer Reports says this loosens pet hair so it collects in the lint trap, and the dryer sheet cuts the static that bonds hair to fabric.
Clear the lint trap and shake again. You’ll likely find a full trap. Empty it, then give the blanket one more shake.
Wash on the bulky cycle. Maytag recommends a bulky cycle with the hottest water the care label permits. Add an extra rinse if your dog has sensitive skin. A floating pet-hair catcher can grab strays during the wash.
Dry and clean up. Dry according to the tag, using low heat if you’re unsure, and empty the lint trap again. Then run an empty wash or self-clean cycle and wipe the drum, door and gasket, as Consumer Reports’ Rich Handel advises.

Pretreat stains first. If the blanket has urine, vomit or mud on it, handle that before the hair routine. Maytag suggests rinsing urine with cold water and a urine-specific stain remover, and scraping off solids before rinsing. Skip steam and hot-water pretreating on urine, since Humane World for Animals warns heat can set urine stains and odor. For the bigger messes behind those stains, see how to clean dog vomit and how to remove dog pee.

How do you get dog hair off different blanket fabrics?

Getting dog hair off a blanket works a little differently for each fabric. Always defer to the care label.

Blanket type	Best dry method	Wash and dry tips
Fleece	Damp rubber glove, then no-heat dryer cycle	Cool wash, low heat. High heat can pill or melt synthetic fleece.
Sherpa and faux fur	Shake, then rubber brush with the pile	Gentle cycle, air-dry or tumble on no heat to keep the pile soft.
Chunky knit	Pick off clumps by hand, then a gentle glove pass	Many are hand-wash or delicate only. Lay flat to dry.
Cotton and quilts	Lint roller or glove	Bulky cycle, warm or hot if the label allows.
Weighted blankets	Glove and roller on the cover	Wash the removable cover. Check the tag before washing the insert.
Dedicated dog blanket	Shake and dryer cycle	Hottest water the label allows, every 1–2 weeks.

Knit blanket half covered in dog hair and half clean beside a pet hair remover tool — Dry methods first. A damp sponge or rubber tool lifts fur before the wash.

Can dog hair on blankets damage your washing machine?

Dog hair from blankets can build up in your washer’s drum, gasket, pump filter and drain, especially in front-loaders. That’s the strongest reason to remove hair dry before washing.

After a pet-hair load, run an empty wash or self-clean cycle and wipe the drum and door seal with a damp cloth. Consumer Reports’ laundry expert Rich Handel says this removes residual hair and keeps it from transferring to your next load. Clean the dryer lint trap after every cycle, too, as Maytag recommends.

How do you keep dog hair off blankets in the first place?

You keep dog hair off blankets by catching it at the source and giving your dog a designated spot. These habits help most:

Brush regularly. An AKC breeder notes a deshedding tool can remove a surprising amount of loose coat in five to ten minutes (AKC). Do it outside.
Pick one dog blanket. Choose a tightly woven, washable blanket for your dog and keep the fuzzy fleece ones for people. A waterproof dog blanket also protects against accidents.
Bathe and brush together. A bath loosens dead undercoat, so brush right after. Our guides on how to bathe a dog and homemade dog shampoo make it easy.
Train a bed habit. Place training and a fresh, comfy bed (see how to clean a dog bed) keep your dog off your throws.

If the hair is on your furniture as well, our guide on how to clean dog hair off a couch covers upholstery, and how to clean dog hair from a car handles car seats. For a home that smells as clean as it looks, see how to get the dog smell out of the house.

The blanket dog-hair kit

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Frequently asked questions about dog hair on blankets

How do I get dog hair off a blanket without a washing machine?

Shake the blanket outside, then sweep it with a slightly damp rubber glove or rubber pet-hair brush in one direction. Hair rolls into clumps you can pick off. A lint roller handles what’s left.

Why is dog hair still on my blanket after washing?

Washing first lets water glue hair to the fabric and redistributes it across the load. Run a 10-minute no-heat dryer cycle before washing so loose hair ends up in the lint trap instead.

Do dryer balls help remove dog hair?

Yes. Wool dryer balls tumble against the fabric and help knock hair loose during the pre-wash dryer cycle and the final dry. A dryer sheet also reduces static that holds hair on.

Does vinegar remove dog hair in the washer?

Half a cup of distilled white vinegar in the rinse can soften fibers and help release hair. Check your owner’s manual first, since repeated use can damage some machines and some manufacturers advise against it.

How do you get dog hair off a fleece blanket?

Fleece holds static, so start dry. Use a damp rubber glove or rubber brush, then run a 10-minute no-heat dryer cycle with a dryer sheet. Wash cool and dry low, since high heat can melt or pill fleece.

Can dog hair damage my washing machine?

Hair can collect in the drum, gasket, filter and drain. Removing as much as possible before washing, then running an empty cleaning cycle and wiping the gasket, helps keep it from building up.

How often should I wash my dog’s blanket?

Every 1 to 2 weeks is a good baseline, and more often if your dog sheds heavily, has allergies or gets muddy.

What’s the best way to keep dog hair off my good blankets?

Give your dog one designated, easy-wash blanket and keep the nice ones out of reach. Regular brushing removes loose coat before it lands on anything.

How we wrote this guide: We based this guide on laundry testing and expert interviews from Consumer Reports (including Rich Handel and Speed Queen’s Randy Radtke), Maytag’s dog-blanket washing guidance, professional cleaner Lexi Brown’s fabric tips and AKC grooming advice, plus our own weekly laundry with three shedding dogs. We did not use forum anecdotes. Product links are examples of each tool type, not paid placements. Always follow the care label on your own blankets.

About the author: Paul B., Founder and head cook for the dogs of Pups Gourmet Kitchen. Paul cooks, tests and cleans up after the dogs that inspire every recipe and how-to on this site.