Owning a dog is common in many families, and statistics show there are 63 million households in America that own a dog. For many of us, our dogs are simply a part of the family, but the reality is that having a dog in your home can create some cleaning problems. Pet hair is notorious for clogging up vacuum cleaners and compromising performance. So, here we’ll explore how to prevent pet hair ruining your vacuum.
The Problems with Pet Hair
Before we can fully explore how do you keep dog hair from clogging your vacuum, it is important to understand why pet hair is so problematic. The main reason that pet hair creates a problem for vacuum cleaners is that it is very fine. The fine nature of the hair means that it easily gets tangled in various areas of the vacuum cleaner including the bristles and brushes.
Pet hair can also clog up the hose, causing the vacuum cleaner to work harder to maintain suction. In some cases, the vacuum can actually start to overheat, which can quickly compromise the lifespan of your appliance.
Choose the Right Vacuum
The first thing you need to consider in your quest to learn how do you keep dog hair from clogging your vacuum is to ensure that you have the right vacuum cleaner. There are hundreds of models on the market, but regardless of whether you buy an upright, cordless, canister or stick vacuum, you need a model that is specifically designed to deal with pet hair.
While it may be tempting to opt for a cheap vacuum, the chances are it will struggle to deal with dog hair and may not last as long as you hoped. If you find yourself needing to shop for a new vacuum cleaner every six months or so, it is likely to be because you are not buying models that can cope with the pressures of sucking up quantities of pet hair.
Thorough Cleaning is the Key to How to Prevent Pet Hair Ruining Your Vacuum
While you may think about your vacuum doing the cleaning, having a clean vacuum is actually the key to how to prevent pet hair ruining your vacuum. As we touched on above, the main problems with pet hair occur because the hair can accumulate inside the vacuum cleaner, blocking airflow and preventing bristles and rollers from moving correctly. The areas you need to check and clean include:
The Filter:
Filters are a crucial component in a vacuum cleaner to prevent dust and dirt from escaping from the vacuum. The filter is also one of the first areas where pet hair can become trapped. In fact, pet owners tend to need to change filters more frequently, due to pet hair clogs. Most manufacturers recommend replacing filters approximately every four to six weeks, but if your vacuum has a washable filter, you should clean it every month or two. These timescales are only a guideline, so it is a good idea to monitor your filter and clean or replace it as necessary.
The Hose:
Clogs can also become common in the hose, but this is actually the easiest area to clean. Most models have a detachable hose, so you just need to remove it and use a stick or long item to clear any clumps of hair stuck inside. You can also run water through the hose to ensure it is clean, just be sure that it is completely dry before reattaching it to your vacuum.
The Rollers and Brushes:
The rollers and brushes are the first components that make contact with pet hair. As the pet hair is sucked into the vacuum cleaner, it can become stuck in the brushes and tangled in the rollers. Although cleaning these components can be a pain, it is important to keep your vacuum cleaner operating correctly.
Some models of vacuum cleaners allow you to detach and clean the rollers, but other models require that you turn over the vacuum to reach in and pull out the hair.
The Dust Bag/Canister
Ideally, your vacuum would be a bagless model that allows you to empty the canister after every clean, but if your vacuum has a dust bag, you should replace it before it becomes entirely full.
FAQs
Does Vacuuming Remove Dog Hair?
This depends on your vacuum cleaner. If you have a low power model, it is unlikely to be able to pick up dog hair from carpets, floors, and upholstery. However, if you have a vacuum cleaner with a lot of suction power, it should be able to cope with dog hair even if your furry friend is prone to shedding.
Why is My Vacuum Not Picking Up Dog Hair?
There are a number of reasons why your vacuum may not be picking up dog hair. As we have discussed above, if the rollers, brushes, or hose are clogged with pet hair, the vacuum cleaner will not have proper suction. You may notice that your vacuum cleaner is making a strange noise or it becomes overheated. In this case, if you clear the pet hair from these components, you should notice that it will pick up again.
Another reason why your vacuum is not picking up dog hair is that it lacks power. Cheaper vacuum cleaners and some types of vacuums have a low power motor that does not deliver the suction power needed to deal with dog hair.
What Type of Vacuum Cleaner is Best for Pet Hair?
Typically, upright vacuum cleaners are the best option for pet hair, but this is usually because this type of vacuum typically has a larger motor. If you find a stick vacuum or cylinder vacuum that has a good size motor, it should be able to manage dealing with dog hair.
You maybe interested in reading our article Your Guide to the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo as an option of a vacuum cleaner for pet hair.
Conclusion
Pet hair can be a problem when you want to keep your home looking nice and smelling fresh, but once you learn how to prevent pet hair ruining your vacuum, you should be able to enjoy decent vacuum power that can cope with pet hair even if your dog is prone to shedding.
