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Pets on the Bed

How to get dog hair out of a mattress

By Matthew Brunken · Updated October 24, 2026 · 1 min read · Editorial standards

Short answer

Vacuum the mattress slowly with an upholstery tool, working in two directions, then go over it with a damp rubber glove or a rubber pet-hair brush to drag out embedded hair. Lint rollers handle what's left on the surface. For hair worked deep into quilting and seams, professional HEPA vacuuming lifts hair and dander together.

Book your mattress cleaning

Regular price $249, Fall 2026 promotion price $199first mattress, any size · Fall 2026 promotion

HEPA vacuuming, enzyme treatment for organic odor, dry vapor steam and UV-C. We recommend cleaning twice a year.

Dog hair is barbed and sticks to fabric, and quilted mattress tops give it plenty of seams to hide in.

At home

  1. Strip the bed and shake the protector outside before washing it.
  2. Vacuum slowly with the upholstery tool, first head to foot, then side to side. The EPA recommends routinely vacuuming fabric-covered furniture (EPA).
  3. Use rubber. A slightly damp rubber glove or a rubber pet-hair brush, dragged in one direction, rolls hair into clumps you can pick up. Keep it just damp, not wet (surface moisture vs saturation).
  4. Finish with a lint roller along the seams and the border.
  5. Get the edges. Hair collects along the tape edge and handles.

What a vacuum leaves behind

Hair you can see is only part of it. Dander and dust settle into the fabric with it (what lives in mattress dust). Our HEPA vacuuming goes slowly over every panel, then dry vapor steam and UV-C treat the surface, and pet odor treatment is included.

Where to read next

How we clean a bed you share with a pet

This section is our view. Every Sleep Sanitation visit starts with a nose-and-eyes inspection, then HEPA vacuuming to lift hair, dander and debris, enzyme treatment on organic odor, low-moisture dry vapor steam from our Italian-made Vapor Clean machines, UV-C light treatment and a moisture check before we leave. Pet odor treatment is included in the mattress price, along with normal stains and ordinary urine accidents. The first mattress is $199 Fall 2026 special (regularly $249), any size, and underside treatment is +$50–$75. We recommend cleaning every mattress twice a year, and more often is fine when a pet shares the bed. Take the 60-second mattress quiz or schedule your cleaning. Call or text (402) 512-5658, or email info@sleepsanitation.com.

Changelog

  • 24 October 2026: First published. Sources accessed on this date.

Sources

  1. Biological Pollutants' Impact on Indoor Air Quality · US EPA

Last reviewed October 24, 2026. Manufacturer specifications and care instructions change; check the current version for your exact model. This page is general information, not medical advice. How we source and check pages: editorial standards.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to get dog hair out of a mattress?+

Slow vacuuming in two directions, then a damp rubber glove or pet-hair brush, then a lint roller on the seams.

Does a lint roller work on a mattress?+

For surface hair, yes. Embedded hair needs vacuuming and a rubber tool first.

Do you remove pet hair during a mattress cleaning?+

Yes. HEPA vacuuming lifts hair, dander and debris before steam and UV-C.

Should I vacuum both sides of the mattress?+

Yes. We also offer underside treatment as an add-on.

Want it done for you?

Sleep Sanitation cleans mattresses only, in homes across the Omaha and Lincoln metros, using low-moisture dry vapor steam. Call or text to book.

First mattress $199 Fall 2026 special (regularly $249), any size. See the pricing page for the full price list.

Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm. Missed a call? We return calls and texts on Saturday and Sunday too.

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