A Shih Tzu parent’s love is unconditional. But believe me, when you choose to add another member of the family in your life, whether it’s a person or a dog, you will accept the good and the bad, the if’s and the but’s.
In my case, one of the biggest but’s (funny, huh) is how to remove Shih Tzu hair on clothes.
Here are embarrassing photos of one of my favorite t-shirts to wear at home. This is a black t-shirt made of 100% cotton. There’s lint and Shih Tzu hair everywhere. It smells awful, too. Disgusting, I know.
Mind you, this photo was only taken two months after I brought home my Shih Tzu, Bunso.
Yup, the struggle is real friends. This is why I put together a guide to somehow put those nasty and embarrassing dog hair to rest.
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How to remove Shih Tzu hair on clothes
1. The masking tape trick
If you’re looking for a quick fix, this will do. Assuming you’re going to be late for work, and as soon as you get in your car, and checked yourself in the mirror, you see a lot of Shih Tzu hair on your shoulders, sleeves, even your pants.
For this, all you need is to get a long strip of tape and use the sticky side to remove the Shih Tzu hair. Don’t worry about the adhesive staining your clothes. Avoid heavy-duty adhesive tapes. Those may tear and cause more damage. Or worse, you won’t be able to peel it off your clothes.
2. The good old lint brush
I love using lint brushes to remove Shih Tzu hair on clothes, simply because they’re so easy to use. Each of the Gain Lint Roller has 90 sheets, and you can buy it in a set of 5 (450 sheets total). It gently removes Shih Tzu hair without the risk of damaging your clothes. Lastly, I love the Gain Lint Roller because it’s scented.
If you’re on a budget, the Scotch Brite Everyday Clean Lint Remover is a steal.
For travelers, the Scotch Brite Travel Lint Roller is a must-have. It’s so small that it can fit inside your backpack or purse.
3. Use dryer balls
If you have pets at home, the last thing you want is to expose them to harmful chemicals that can jeopardize their health. Therefore, you should be careful in choosing dryer balls to remove Shih Tzu hair on clothes.
I found a dryer ball that’s all-natural, eco-conscious, and budget friendly. Plus, the material is made of 100% pure New Zealand wool, great for babies with sensitive skin, and pets.
The Wooly Heroes Dryer Balls come in a pack of 6, reusable, with a free natural laundry ebook pdf to know more about eco-friendly laundry practices.
Meanwhile, this dryer ball from Lambid is just as effective and adorable. It softens clothes with no chemicals added, removes Shih Tzu hair on clothes, and less static cling.
4. Use anti-static spray
Static cling is the ability of objects to stick, mostly in garments by static electricity buildup. Therefore, an anti-static spray can help remove Shih Tzu hair on clothes.
Static Guard does it for you. It eliminates static cling on all kinds of fabric and effectively removes pet hair and lint. Note that Static Guard is an aerosol spray. This is flammable, so keep it away from dogs and children.
Meanwhile, the Downy Wrinkle Releaser is pretty versatile. Aside from eliminating odor from your clothes, it removes wrinkles and serves as an anti-static spray, too.
5. Shake off your clothes before putting them in the washer
When you shake off your clothes, you will notice how much Shih Tzu hair your clothes have accumulated. Literally speaking, you will see the Shih Tzu hair flying on air.
Shaking your clothes off will even let you to find hidden items like tissue, wipes, and paper that will add up to the Shih Tzu hair. Plus, doing so will avoid clogging your washer.
How to prevent Shih Tzu hair on clothes
1. First, consult your veterinarian
The Shih Tzu dog breed is known to be hypoallergenic, meaning it’s less likely to trigger allergies to humans.
Moreover, the Shih Tzu is known to shed less compared to other dog breeds. So, if your Shih Tzu is shedding more than usual, it could be a symptom of a serious illness. In fact, I experienced the same problem very recently. Turns out my Shih Tzu has a yeast infection.
Therefore, it’s best that you visit the vet as soon as possible, to address the root cause of why your Shih Tzu is shedding too much.
2. Buy clothes that use lint-free fabrics (if you can)
If you can avoid buying clothes that attract lint and Shih Tzu hair, make the switch. But if it can’t be helped. Segregate your clothes before washing (which we’ll also talk about later).
What type of fabric does not attract lint?
Here are examples of the type of fabric made up of synthetic materials that are less prone to attract lint:
- Polyester
- Rayon
- Spunbond polypropylene
- Spandex
What type of fabric collects lint?
If your shirts, pants, or underwear is made up of any of the materials below, it’s going to be a pain to remove Shih Tzu hair on clothes. These types of fabric are:
- Fabrics made of 100% cotton
- Wool
- Corduroy
- Velvet
- Chenille
- Velour
Do black shirts attract lint?
From my experience, lint and dog hair is usually more prominent in dark clothes. Remember the black t-shirt I showed you? But it’s not really the color that attracts the dog hair and lint.
One reason is the fiber content of the fabric. If your t-shirt is made up of 100% cotton (like mine), lint and Shih Tzu hair will definitely stick more compared to your other t-shirts. The only difference is it’s showing up more in dark colors like black.
The second reason is the dyeing process. If the chemicals used affect the static charge of the fabric, then it’s going to attract more Shih Tzu hair and lint.
3. Segregate your laundry load
Do not wash everything altogether.
First, separate the white clothes from the colored.
Then, gather your clothes that have Shih Tzu hair and wash them separately. Your first batch should be the ones that don’t have Shih Tzu hair.
Lastly, wash the insides of the machine thoroughly after use. This way, your washer is clean, lint-free, Shih Tzu hair-free, and ready for the new batch of laundry.
Conclusion
Although the solutions I’ve presented in this guide are temporary, I’m sure every Shih Tzu owner can relate.
Dog smell and Shih Tzu hair are just some of the things we deal with every day. But it’s all part of being responsible pet owners.
For some, dog-proofing the house can be a headache. But as first-time Shih Tzu owners, we learn to accept and manage our expectations with our pets.
Hopefully, you find this guide helpful.
Remember, always consult your veterinarian if your Shih Tzu is shedding too much. This can be a symptom of a more serious illness.
