Honestly, it’s life changing is a regular series where we talk about the weird and wonderful possessions we can’t imagine life without. Think of it as an ode to the mundane, bizarre and, sometimes, wholly unnecessary products in our lives.
Even the most dedicated cat servant can lose patience when waking up (yet again) with a mouthful of moggy fur.
Alongside that unconditional love we feel for our cats – in my case, three cats of varying shapes, sizes and coat-colours – comes a furry house of hell that makes wearing block colours an absolute no-no.
Black is particularly challenging, given its tendency to proudly display the ginger, tabby and white fur it manages to gather – even when your clothes go directly from washing machine to wardrobe.
As a 40-something woman who gets her kicks from wandering around garden centres on a weekend, I may have found the solution: a reusable pet hair remover.
The traditional tear-off lint roller is no match for cat hair – at least not in today’s environmentally-responsible age. You can literally get through a whole lint roll in one sitting. You tear off sheet after sticky sheet and dump them in the bin, damaging your conscience – as well as your wallet – in the process. Plus, you probably need to buy a minimum of three per week, per cat, to have any kind of impact. Nightmare.
I was initially sceptical about a reusable device. I’d lived in the house of hair for many years and was resigned to my fate. But I decided to take a leap and invest in a blue set, complete with little and large rollers.
The way you use it is simple enough. Roll the roller, which is made from a silicon material, collect the hair, wash in warm water, let it dry, and go again.
I should probably say at this point you won’t remove an entire duvet’s-worth of hair in one sitting. It’s best to commit to breaks in usage so you can wash and dry the roller. Still, you can use it with a clear conscience because there’s no waste – and there’s a way to factor it into your cleaning routine.
For big hairy household items such as duvet covers and sofas: roll, remove, wash, then set aside to dry as you focus on Mr Sheen and the dusty TV unit. After polishing, roll, remove, wash, set aside to dry, then vacuum up any extra hair if you need to.
With your wardrobe, it’s even easier. You can de-fur your black work jacket in one fell swoop. Simples.
My main tip? Always wash the roller before you put it back in the cupboard. Otherwise, you’ll be seriously disappointed next time you get it out, only to remove half your cat from your best interview suit when you’re running 10 minutes late.
The reusable pet hair remover can be found in random garden centres and online with Amazon at just £8.99.
Buy It Now: Reusable Cat Hair Removal Device, Amazon, £8.99
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