17 Easy Ways To Clean Dog Hair From Washing Machine For Good

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What Stops Happening After This Article:

  • Fewer extra rinse cycles because hair stops floating around
  • Less risk of clogged filters or slow draining
  • More control over how clean the washer stays between loads

1. Wipe The Rubber Gasket With A Damp Paper Towel Right Now

That thick rubber seal around the door traps wet hair in the folds, and it just sits there until it smells weird.

Do It Like This: Pull the gasket back with your fingers and wipe all the way around with a damp paper towel until it comes out clean.

It will be so much easier if you use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to grab hair and clean the seal in one swipe.

2. Run An Empty Hot Cycle With 1 Cup Of White Vinegar

Hot water loosens stuck hair while vinegar helps break down soap buildup that holds it in place.

Try This Way: Pour 1 cup of white vinegar directly into the drum and run the hottest cycle with nothing inside.

This takes less time if you use Heinz Cleaning Vinegar to cut through residue fast.

3. Clean The Lint Trap Or Filter Inside The Machine

Front loaders usually hide a small filter behind a lower panel where clumps of hair collect.

Consider This: Open the bottom panel, twist the filter cap slowly, and rinse out all the trapped hair under running water.

It will feel less stressful if you try Zip-It Drain Cleaning Tool to pull out extra hair stuck deep in the filter area.

4. Vacuum Around The Drum Opening With A Crevice Tool

Loose hair loves to sit right at the edge of the drum where towels rub against it.

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Start This Way: Attach a skinny crevice tool and vacuum around the rubber seal and door frame before the next load.

This gets faster if you use Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum with a tight nozzle for small edges.

5. Use A Lint Roller Inside The Drum Before Running A Cycle

Dry dog hair sticks to the metal drum and does not always rinse away with water alone.

Here’s What To Do: Roll a sticky lint roller around the inside of the drum before starting a wash so you remove dry hair first.

This feels easier if you use Scotch-Brite Lint Roller to grab hair without chasing it around.

6. Shake Out Dog Blankets Outside Before Washing Them

Throwing blankets straight in just dumps a pile of loose fur into the washer.

Begin With This: Take pet blankets outside and shake them hard for 30 seconds before putting them in the machine.

7. Add 1 Cup Of Baking Soda To A Hot Empty Wash

Baking soda helps loosen leftover grime that traps tiny hairs inside the drum.

Use This Simple Trick: Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drum and run a hot empty cycle to freshen and flush it out.

8. Wipe The Inside Door Glass With A Microfiber Cloth

Hair sticks to damp glass after each wash and dries there if you ignore it.

Give This A Try: After every pet load, wipe the inside glass dry with a microfiber cloth before closing the door.

This is less annoying when you use Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths to grab hair without leaving streaks.

9. Check And Clean The Drain Pump Filter At The Bottom Panel

That small filter catches more than lint, and dog hair builds up fast in that tight space.

Start Small With This: Place a shallow bowl under the panel, slowly unscrew the filter, and remove all trapped hair before screwing it back in.

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10. Run A Rinse And Spin Cycle After Washing Pet Items

Pet loads leave floating hair behind that sticks to the next batch of clothes.

Here’s A Quick Way: After washing dog bedding, run a quick rinse and spin with no clothes inside to flush leftover hair out.

11. Scrub The Agitator Or Center Post With An Old Toothbrush

Top loaders trap hair around the base of the agitator where water barely swirls.

One Thing That Helps Is: Dip an old toothbrush in warm soapy water and scrub around the base of the agitator to lift trapped fur.

12. Use A Washing Machine Cleaner Tablet On A Hot Cycle

Cleaner tablets break down residue that holds onto stubborn hair inside the drum and pipes.

Here’s A Low-Stress Way: Drop one tablet into the empty washer and run a hot cycle to clear out hidden buildup.

It will be way faster if you use Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets to clean the drum fully.

13. Dry The Gasket After Every Pet Load With A Towel

Wet rubber seals hold onto loose hair if you close the door right away.

The Less Stressful Way Is: Keep a small towel nearby and wipe the gasket dry after each dog load before shutting the door.

14. Brush Off Pet Hair From Clothes Before Putting Them In

Tossing hairy sweatshirts straight into the washer just spreads fur everywhere.

If You Want To Keep It Easy: Brush off visible hair with a pet brush or lint roller before adding clothes to the drum.

This gets easier if you use ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover to pull hair off fabric in seconds.

15. Leave The Door Open After Washing To Air Dry The Drum

Closing the door traps moisture, and damp spots grab stray hair like glue.

Start By Doing This Instead: Leave the washer door open for a few hours after the last load so the drum dries out.

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16. Clean The Dispenser Drawer With Warm Soapy Water

Soap drawers collect sticky residue that catches pet hair over time.

Instead, Try This: Pull out the drawer, rinse it under warm water, and scrub corners with a small brush before sliding it back in.

17. Check The Washer Hoses For Hair Buildup And Rinse Them Out

Hair can travel through hoses and slow drainage if it builds up inside.

The Easy First Step Is: Turn off the water supply, disconnect the hoses carefully, and rinse them with water to clear trapped fur.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)