Hardwood Floors and Dog Hair

We have 2 labs and laminate floors - I totally understand. We have 2 different ways - one is a microfiber mop (I got it at Linens and Things) and we use a spray especially made for hardwoods/laminates called Bona, but you can only get the spray at Elliot's Hardware.

For quick cleaning, we also have one of those industrial terry-cloth mops (dry) that we slide through the entire house and shake if off out of the door.

Nope. I have the exact same issue. All you can do is vacuum every day. I did get the Swiffer vacuum http://www.swiffer.com/swiffer/en_US/sweepervac.do for those quick touch ups on the hardwood when company is coming, etc. It was inexpensive, and so much easier than dragging out the regular vacuum for those instances. One benefit to that too, is that my son (almost 2) loves to get the regular Swiffer and follow me around "swiffering" himself. He isn't helping much at this age, but he has fun and it's good training for later!!!!

We also have hardwood floors and 2 dogs. I use the Swiffer everyday to get those little dust bunnies. Plus, the kids love to help do it.

I've got four cats and tile. I feel your pain.

The swiffer sweeper is the best solution -- it's like a regular swiffer with a light vacuum at the front; what the vacuum doesn't suck up (and it's phenomenal with pet hair), the cloth part does.

I have the same issues. Although we do not allow out dogs in that area of the house, it amazes me how I have dust bunnies daily. I have a dust mop that I use with Bruce hardwood floor cleaner and I also use the Swiffer.

Any great ideas would be welcomed!

Susan

Our dog sheds quite a bit, too. With dark floors and light hair, it will drive you crazy trying to keep it all picked up.
I use those dry cloth swiffers pads. They are just like the wet ones, but they are dry and pick up the little fine hairs and those you can't catch with the vacuum or broom.
I usually sweep or vacuum a couple of times a week, but use those in between. They are great!

Oh thank goodness someone else feels my pain;) We have tried everything and finally found Swiffer Sweeper Vac. It is slightly easier than running the regular vacuum and has the swiffer pad so it collects all the dust too. I was having to sweep twice a day and now I can do it once every other day. Good Luck, hope this helps!

I came up with a product 1 FOOT KOVER KOLLECTOR to kollect all dust, pet and human hair etc. You can see them on fb or email me at ____@____.com a set of 25 for 9.95. I came up with this product because I did not like having to get my vacuum or swifer out non stop. These are easy and simple. Check them out

In addition to vacuum and dust mop, I will also use a lint roller (just like the hand held ones) that has a long handle which snaps into top of lint roller and made by 3M. I found at wal-mart. this is handy for picking up hair or food crumbs on tile floors. our house is currently on the market so this comes in handy for quick pick-ups.

T.,

Swiffer dry mop is the only way to go!

D.

I find that a large dust mop (the big one at home depot/lowes - the size that janitors use) and my dustbuster work the fastest. It covers the most ground and then I just suck it up the hair and dirt bits they drag in with the dustbuster. Takes me about 8 minutes to do the entire house. We have tile and stained concrete everywhere in our house (2330 sqft).

I also have the swiffer thingee and I find that I have to change out the cloth several times so it takes me longer to use that. I think that's prolly because my beautiful Akita/Chow Maeve is a rather large dog and sheds all the time. I do find however that the tumbleweeds lessen if I keep her brushed, but it doesn't totally eliminate them. Also it's really not healthy for your dogs skin to wash them more than 1x a month, at least that is what my vet told me.

Good Luck!!
LP

Hi, T.--

Our dog is an Australian Shepherd... he sheds SO much! I have the most amazing thing to help with that! It is called The Shark cordless sweeper. It has taken the place of my broom, except for those days when I need to do some hard-core cleaning! I can't imagine going back to doghair cleanup BEFORE my Shark! You should check it out-- I think you can get it at most department stores, WalMart, etc.
Good luck!
S.

We have laminate floors, and I use a Shark vacuum. It's a rechargeable, lightweight sweeper. It does a pretty good job, and is easy to get out and put away. I haven't tried the Swiffer, so I couldn't comment on that.

Good luck!

C.

I have heard that you can run a dryer sheet over the hair and the hair attaches to it.

Hey T.,

I totally feel your pain. We have two huge shedding machines. I just use an old fashioned broom and dustpan. I've also taught the dogs that the only place they are allowed in the house is the kitchen.

Good luck! Dog hair is tough.
C.

We had the same problem with our cats and the only thing I found that helps... and only slightly is to brush them daily... its a pain...

I use a Dust Buster! Remember those? It works great.

Hi, We used a Swiffer broom. it's quick and easy.

I second the industrial dust mop. Definitely the easiest way to keep it "picked up" on a day to day basis.

I thought I was the only one with this issue! The best thing I have found is to use the furminator to prevent the dog from shedding a lot of hair in the first place. It is a little pricey for a dog grooming tool but is so worth it!

I have a long haired white cat and a white Aussie with thick undercoat. What a nightmare. Every time I open a door, turn on a fan, or even walk through the room, the traveling hair bunnies scurry around my hard woods.

I am about to get or invest in a Roomba, I think. I asked for one for Christmas from my family. You know those little robot vacuums that travel around on their own! If it could just do a sweep of my floors once a day and get half the hair, I would be ecstatic!!!

Looks like you have alot of good advice! One of our dogs sheds 12 MONTHS A YEAR! He is light, my floors are dark...I feel your pain! I like to vacuum, that definately seems to work the best, but can be a challange daily basis, esp. with a two year old! You can go through swiffers very easily with alot of fur, unless you get that giant swiffer with a washable pad. That may actually be the swivel sweeper. Finally, a good old fashioned soft brisel broom and dustpan always do the trick, just watch flyaways. I personally would not use an industrial broom as you could scratch the finish on the floor over time and you will be having a whole different kind of day!

Good luck! If you come up with a really easy way to do it, please let me know!!!

I use the swivel sweeper at least 2 x a day - amazing how much dogs shed - but I love this!!! I have all tile and laminate flooring.

We have wood floors in our entire house and two large, shedding dogs. We have enough hair to make another dog! The best thing I've found is to get one of those very large dust mops from Home Depot like they use in school gyms. They really grab the hair well and all the dirt. I sweep the hair into a big pile and use a dust pan and smaller broom to get all of it up. Once I get all of it up, I vacuum all the rugs and then use the Orange Glo Hardwood Floor Cleaner(can buy at Target) to clean all the floors. I usually dry sweep every other day but only clean the floors about once a week. This works best for us.

N.

I swiffer daily...with all the hair I pick up everyday it's gross to think of what goes unnoticed with carpet!

Hardwood floors - we just bought a house with them - would never get them again after having Amtico tile which looks like hardwood and is very hard to scratch. Hardwood scratches so easily - I read where you need to use a special broom not a regular one and NEVER use a vacumn cleaner on hardwood floors or water. There is special cleaner and cleaner tool for that. It's a lot of work - I have dogs - the hair would be a probelm - you aren't supposed to use a swifter either - so the special mop with a terry pad that goes over it will be your easiest way to clean the floor - good luck. A.

Not too sure what to do with the dog hair...BUT...my brother and sister-in-law give their dogs fish oil tablets. This reduces the shedding significantly and they swear by it. You might ask your vet as I have not tried this myself. Best of Luck to you.

i used to live in an apartment with all tile floors, which was gorgeous except that I had two long haired cats. Cat hair tumbleweeds in every corner! I agree with the others, sweet/mop several times a week - give the dog baths once a week, it is summer so they shed alot more right now. Also, theyre a little pricey, but you can buy those robotic vacuume/sweeper things (i think they have them at Bed Bath and Beyond) that roam around your house by themselves, vacuuming and sweeping till you shut them off.