Surprisingly there isn't much info on the net about this, but I did manage to find this article. It's pretty good, so I thought I'd share with my fellow animal lovers on TB. The ones on bold type are the ones I tried last night and they worked very well.
"Whats the easiest way to remove pet hair from a sofa?
* soak a pair of rubber gloves in water, shake them dry and rub them across the fabric. Or do the same with a rubber brush (available at pet stores)
* use gloves or mitts made of felt or velvet and run them over the fabric
* use a damp sponge, or a soot and dirt removal sponge
* use a fabric softener sheet (the kind you use in your dryer). Some people also recommend spraying the upholstery first with a mix of fabric softener and water
* spray your furniture with an anti-static spray like StaticGuard- spray a foot or so above the furniture and let the mist settle onto the furniture; wipe with a sponge
* use sticky tape its one of the most effective if you have (1) money (2) time and (3) a small area to do. Works great on clothes
* finally, check out the latest vacuum-cleaners and attachments
there are new improvements in pet hair extractors these days. Many consumers recommend a Dyson Animal Vacuum.
Are some sofa fabrics more pet-resistant than others?
Leather has a smooth, anti-static surface thats ideal for resisting pet hair, and its easy to wipe clean. Leather is also hard to chew through (top grain is toughest), though some consumers do cite scratching problems, making a slightly brushed leather texture a great option.
Chenille has a textured pile that attracts some pet hair, but also hides it. Chenille has a strong fabric construction thats fairly resistant to chewing and scratching.
Cotton is fairly resistant to pet hair, but its often not strong enough to resist scratching or chewing. Just like your jeans, heavy cottons like canvas or denim are better choices with pets.
Both wool and especially microfiber tend to be pet hair magnets, and the pet hair removal process can be tough. Most microfiber furniture is also sold in solid colors which adds to the problem (every strand of hair seems to magnify itself!). But microfiber is sold in many qualities some may perform better than others.
In general, avoid fabrics that build up static electricity (fleece, velvet, wool and most microfibers)
they can make living with Fido and Garfield a bit of a nightmare.
Which colors or patterns hide pet hair?
* If youre getting a new sofa and you cant stand looking at pet hair, find one in the same color as your pet. If youre getting a new pet and you love your sofa
take your toss cushion with you to the pet store! Sounds crazy, but it works.
* avoid sofas in very dark fabrics they show every pet hair. Light sofas arent quite as bad, but show dark pets hair. Best choice is a medium tone.
* choose muted colors rather than brighter colors. If you look closely at clumps of pet hair, theyre nearly always muted and muddy-colored.
* choose a patterned fabric rather than a solid one
. even a small or subtle pattern such as a small herringbone will help.
* choose a fabric with a slight texture. Texture is tricky when it comes to pets. If the fabric weave is too textured or has loops, itll hide pet hair but snag easily or become a scratching post. If the weave is too tight, even the slightest scratches will show.
* if youve got cats with claws, avoid wicker or any cross-woven effect.
Any way to cut down the amount of pet hair?
* reguarly grooming with a steel brush or comb helps
many consumers recommend getting a furminator (Link Removed) or yes, vacuuming their dogs regularly
* some people believe feeding dogs and cats better quality food reduces shedding
* before washing sheets and towels with a lot of pet hair, put them in the dryer for 10 minutes clean the lint filter and repeat until the lint filter is clear, then wash."
