The 3-Ingredient DIY Spray That Makes Removing Pet Hair A Breeze

Somehow, even with all of the vacuuming, trendy pet hair removal tools, lint rollers, and other methods, a lot of us still end up with accumulated pet hair around the house. This is beyond frustrating, especially when it seems like the hairs haven't just shed onto a fabric's surface, but actually bonded into the fibers with extreme force. Luckily there's an easy DIY spray, courtesy of TikToker @brunchwithbabs, that you can make to address your pet hair problem, and you likely have the three ingredients needed already somewhere in your home: white vinegar, water, and hair conditioner.

The addition of hair conditioner as an ingredient in the pet hair removal spray may come as a surprise. But much like how conditioner helps you work out tangles in your hair, it works similarly with stuck-on pet hair. Conditioner as an ingredient helps to undo the bond the hair has with the surface it's on, making wiping easier. The white vinegar in the recipe, meanwhile, works to condition the fabric itself, helping it to relax and let go of the pet hair. And water acts as a medium to hold the solution together.

To try this TikTok cleaning hack, combine equal parts of the three ingredients in a bowl and whisk them together until well combined, then pour the solution into a spray bottle. You can apply the mixture directly to a cloth or cleaning tool, or spray it onto the fabric's surface and allow it to sit for a few seconds before wiping away the wet hair with a paper towel or removal tool. Once sprayed, the pet hair should pull up in clumps. After treatment, be sure to lightly rinse the area with a damp cloth, then dab up excess moisture and allow the fabric to dry completely so it doesn't stain or begin to smell.

While this formula is effective, there are a few downsides. For one, though white vinegar is clear and generally doesn't stain fabrics, it is highly acidic, so discoloration may occur. Hair conditioner, meanwhile, has oil in it, which can stain fabrics if not properly rinsed away. If you're worried about staining your clothing or upholstery, try using a small amount of the mixture on an inconspicuous part of the fabric. Dab the mixture away, rinse, and let dry fully to see how the fabric reacts.

Also, when applying this three-ingredient pet hair removal spray, don't go overboard, as saturated fabrics can come with their own cleaning nightmares. We also know that hair conditioners can be expensive, and in this mixture, you want to leave your nice stuff on the shower shelf. You can use just about any cheap hair conditioner for this recipe and it'll work.