Ragdoll cats, and all long-haired cats, are notorious for the excessive amount of shedding they do, and I speak firsthand as I currently have three ragdoll cats! My ragdoll’s fur covers many surfaces in our home, especially their favourite lounging spots like cat beds. But how do you remove ragdoll hair from cat beds? Below is how I do it!
Ragdoll hair can be removed from a cat bed using a vacuum, lint roller, or rubber glove. Prevent hair from collecting on the bed by grooming frequently and running a humidifier. Completely replacing a cat bed is necessary at regular intervals.
If your ragdoll loves to lounge in their cat bed, a certain level of upkeep is necessary to keep your cat clean, healthy, and happy. There are a few tricks to quickly and easily remove hair and a few things you can do the reduce the amount of cleaning you should do.
Removal Methods
Vacuum; hose and Dyson pet hair attachment
The most efficient and thorough way to remove ragdoll hair from a cat bed is by using a vacuum. You will want to use the hose attachment on your vacuum to get into the soft corners. This will also give a better-localized suction.
When you vacuum off the bed, get all the sides and corners of it, not just the bottom/inside where they lay down.
Below is a video of the Dyson pet hair attachment in action. Here is the Amazon link
to purchase this attachment for your Dyson vacuum.
Pull and push the vacuum in different directions. You may find it helpful to pull the vacuum across the bed at least once in each directions. This will help you pick up any stubborn hair trapped under folds or fluff or embedded within the fabric’s weave.
You should try to vacuum the bed a few times a week, but if you need a quick clean, there are a few methods that are less effective but much quicker.
Don’t be surprised if your cat stays close to or far away from you while you are vacuuming their bed. They want to know what you are doing to their bed, but the vacuum will likely scare them.
Here is a post I wrote called; “Keep Cat Hair From Sticking to Sheets: 10 Ways & Best Fabrics” that will teach you the best ways to prevent hair from sticking to your sheets and other places!
Lint Roller
If you have a Ragdoll cat, I am sure you have a lint roller around for cleaning hair off your clothes. I have one in almost every room and purse/bag I use.
You can also use the lint roller to get the hair off the surface of the cat bed. If you use a few sheets off the roller, you should be able to get most of the hair off the bed’s surface.
There are also reusable lint rollers you can get. This is the reusable lint roller that I have (Amazon link), and I use it on the flat platforms of their cat tree and our couch and chairs.
Rubber Glove
Another good way to surface clean is with a rubber cleaning glove (Amazon link). Cat hair will stick to the rubber, and you can pick off the big clumps. The rubber edge of a squeegee can also work well. Swipe the squeegee across the flat surfaces, and it will clump most of the hair into a line. You can then pick up the hair with gloves or your hands and throw it straight into the trash.
Shake it
The quickest way to clean is to take the bed outside and shake it out. Shaking will get rid of all the loose hair, but it is not super effective for the hair buried deeper in the crevices. You may also get a lot of the surface hair that is currently on the bed on you. If you have a garden, you can shake the hair onto the soil for extra nitrogen and a natural pest repellent.
Some cats shed more than others so if you want to know where you cat falls on the list, here is a post I wrote called; “Do Dogs Shed Less Than Cats? List of Top Shedders Included” which includes the top shedding breeds of cats!
Preventing Accumulation
The easiest way to keep a cat bed clean is not to get dirty in the first place, which sounds obvious. Of course, you cannot completely stop your ragdoll from shedding, but you can reduce the amount that ends up on the bed.
Using a cat brush or grooming glove daily or weekly will allow you to collect loose fur and throw it in the trash before it gets to the cat bed.
Investing in a humidifier for your home, especially in your ragdoll’s favourite room, can also reduce the amount they shed. The humidifier will prevent the cat’s skin from getting too dry so that they will lose less hair. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate and during the winter months.
Washing Cat Bedding
You should wash your cat’s bed as often as you wash the sheets on your bed. Having a clean bed will help your cat be happier and healthier. Use a washing machine to clean the bedding; it is easier and more effective than hand washing.
To prevent getting cat hair all over your other loads of laundry, do any cat bedding and other hairy items in a separate load. Dryer balls for cat hair can also reduce the amount of hair in your machine and give you a more thorough clean.
Make sure you are using laundry soap products that are pet safe. Regular laundry detergent is often too harsh for cats. You can use a detergent advertised explicitly for pet safety, or any dye-free and fragrance-free laundry detergent.
Take the time to read the ingredients list on your cleaning products and avoid toxic ingredients like bleach, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide. This goes for all cleaning products you use on and near your cat’s bed and toys, not just laundry detergent.
When to Replace a Cat Bed
Cleaning and washing your cat’s bed regularly is critical, but there are also times when you simply need to replace the bed with a brand-new one.
At the bare minimum, you should replace your cat’s bed every two years. Over time, the dirt, oil, and hair buildup will result in a smelly, grimy, and unsanitary cat bed.
It may take your cat a bit of time to settle into the new bed since it seems unfamiliar, but it is worth it.
Tip: If you have a picky cat, you can buy the same cat bed and even place some loose hair and fur on it when you bring it home to help your ragdoll feel more comfortable in the new spot.
Depending on the frequency of use and how many cats use it, you may have to replace the bed more frequently. Check for signs of wear and tear like stains, rips, or saggy stuffing as indicators for when you should replace it.
Similarly, if you are not cleaning and washing the bed regularly, you will have to replace it more frequently. Getting a bed with a removable, washable cover will make it easier to clean and help it last longer.
If your cat ever gets an infection or any parasite, you need to replace all of its bedding immediately. To help your cat recover and stay healthy, it will need a new bed that has never been exposed to infection.
I hope you have found this post useful!
Have a great day,
Holly 🙂