Shedding is natural in most furry companions but the hair can be a health hazard when not removed, especially for allergy sufferers. They can also make your house dirty and stuffy. Getting rid of all that hair is a lot tougher than a novice Newf owner would think.
One of the best solutions is a vacuum specifically designed to clean pet hair. There are vacuums that are specifically built for pet hair but, the task of choosing the best vacuum for pet hair is not always an easy one. Most vacuums simply aren’t designed to effectively suction pet hair, whether they’re hand-held models, heavy-duty uprights or even high-powered central systems. The mantra is to choose a machine with the suction, filters and tools to handle high volumes of hair that will be coming off your Newf.
Regardless of how well yours works on cleaning the rest of your home, a standard vacuum is simply no match for hairs interwoven into carpet and upholstery fibers. This is because the majority of standard vacuums are fitted with a two-part brush and hose mechanism – this works great on the usual dust and debris found in the home as the brush agitates and stirs up the dirt before it is sucked up by the hose.
When it comes to Newf hair, however, most traditional vacuum systems simply do not work. As the brush attempts to stir up and lift hair it actually manages to drive it further into the carpet or simply tangle it around the brush head itself where it becomes very hard work to untangle and remove.
Specialized pet vacuums will instead have silicon brushes as opposed to soft-hair brushes, specialist attachments and scientifically modified designs that ensure hair is sucked up into the bag or dirt cup and does not tangle around the beater bar and brush. Furthermore, they tend to have a more powerful suction and enhanced filtration systems to remove dander from the expelled air, alongside a host of other features to take the hard work out of cleaning up after your pets.
Buying a vacuum suited to your wants and needs requires careful consideration – this should not be an impulse purchase! As it is a relatively 'big spend item' that you'll be using weekly for many years, you’ll want to ensure the one you buy truly suits you and your home as well as your budget and cleaning requirements. Take into consideration the types of floors you will be cleaning and the size of your house when choosing.
Don’t Rely on Suction Power Alone
Strong suction power is vital for a pet vacuum, but it’s not the only factor – especially on carpets. If hairs are caught in fibers, a vacuum needs a strong motorized brush bar to remove it. Most pet vacuums come with a brush bar that’s designed to remove dog hair, so you’ll spend less time going over the same patch of carpet.
Some vacuums also come with brush bars that are easy to remove for maintenance. This is useful with a Newf, as the bar is likely to become tangled.
Look for an Effective Filter
Dog dander (dead skin cells), drool and urine can all cause allergic reactions. When you vacuum with a poor-quality filter, many allergens escape back into the air. This can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and red eyes.
Even if you don’t suffer from an allergy, an efficient filter is still important for providing clean air. The best are HEPA filters, which can catch particles that are too small for a regular filter to remove. Bagged vacuums are also better for preventing allergens escaping, as they can be emptied without coming into contact with trapped pet dander and dust.
Additionally, if your home has a “doggy” smell after cleaning, you might want to buy a vacuum with an active charcoal filter. These absorb odors so your air smells fresh and clean.
Choose a Vacuum with a Mini Motorized Attachment Most pet vacuums have a motorized brush bar on the primary floor tool, but these are difficult to use on furniture. A standard hose also won’t be effective at removing hair that’s caught in upholstery. For this reason, look for a vacuum that comes with a miniature motorized tool that’s designed for upholstery, curtains and other fabrics. These smaller tools are also useful for cleaning stairs.
Other Tricks to Combat Pet Hair
Use HEPA Filters for furnaces, air conditioners and air purifiers
Use a carpet rake before vacuuming to remove the bulk of the loose hair
Sweep then vacuum on hard surface floors
Clean the brushes and filter after every use
Happy Cleaning!
