Cleaning pet dirtWe are a community of pet lovers and  as a result, caring for a pet comes with clothing challenges. From muddy paws, hair, dander, feathers and more all need to be removed occasionally from clothing. Here are some fail-safe tips for dealing with these problems.

Clothing Tips for Pet Owners

Knowing what fabric is damaged is a crucial first step, because each type of fabric must be treated in a slightly different way. Synthetic fabrics like acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, olefin or polyester are sensitive to heat and fabric softener. Natural fabrics including wool, cotton, muslin or leather all have different reactions to different treatments. This is why treating pet stains should be left to the experts.

When a stain occurs, immediately remove the staining solids. Be gentle so you don't grind or rub the stain into the material. Blot the stained area -" do not rub -" with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture. Be careful not to transfer the stain to other parts of the garment by folding or bunching the fabric. Bring the stained item to DELIA'S Cleaners immediately, as the longer the stain sits, the harder it is to remove.

To treat upholstery or carpet, use a mixture of water and peroxide. Gently dab the area after removing excess solids. Be sure to test the solution on the fabric to avoid fading. Always test the treatment on a part of the fabric that doesn't show before using on the stain. This ensures that the treatment won't cause your fabric to fade, bleed or become damaged.

Pet Hair

To remove pet hair from clothing, the best tool is still an old-fashioned lint roller.

For furniture, use a damp rubber glove and run your hand over the affected area. Then simply wash off the glove when it is full of pet hair. Repeat as needed!