What is the best brand of lint roller?

Question

My dog is a pug, and if you didn't already know, pugs shed like crazy!!! Her fur is always everywhere... and I let her go on my bed so there's always dog fur all over my nice down comforters. We also have two cats that have long fur and shed as well. I don't want to have to go to the dry cleaners too often and down isn't supposed to be washed in the washing machine or put in the drier, so the only way I get the fur off right now is just by airing it out (usually outside which is a hastle), and the fur goes flying everywhere else - including in my face and up my nose - so this is not a suitable solution. I would also use the lint roller for clothes and in the car, etc. I don't want to go out and buy just any old $1 lint roller from the corner store (which is my first instinct) and then come home to find that it's a peice of junk that nothing sticks to. So from your experience, what do you find is the ultimate lint roller?

Answer 1

The tape roller that Eskie Lover mentioned is the cheapest and the best lint roller. It's basically a 4-inch wide roll of masking tape with the sticky side out and a slit down one side to allow easy removal of used layers of tape.

For removing pet hair from larger areas, I have this gadget I found at a fair one time that is basically a foxtail brush made with rubber bristles. I don't know the physics involved, but it really works well for removing pet hair from upholstery and fabrics. Every now and then, I have to clean up the dog hair from a tweed sofa (I have two short-haired toy fox terriers that shed a lot). Even the rotating brush attachment on the vacuum won't get all the dog hair out of the sofa. But, this brush pretty much gets it all.

Answer 2

I have become somewhat of an expert on lint rollers, brushes and sticky rollers having 2 Eskies and a malamute (RIP Boo) all of whom are constantly in a shedding state of being.  I have accumulated quite a collection over the years.  I do have the disposable sticky sheet rollers and prefer the Hellman's brand handles (they turn at the top with a stationary handle) and the $1 Big Lots replacement sticky rolls.  Some of the cheaper rollers (plastic) are completely stationary, so you are literally turning your hand to operate them.  The disposable sticky sheets are wonderful in the car and for quick rolls on the way out the door.

I also have a plastic handled one with velour pads on both sides which is great for upholstery (when those sneaky girls get up on the couch while I'm away not realizing their fur is left as evidence).  I bought that one at either Bed Bath & Beyond or Linen's N things and it was around 10 bucks several years ago.  It is also effective on any nappy fibered surface.  A wet finger removes the hair accumulation effectively.

I also have a rubber bristled brush.  I just saw them being sold at WalMart for $1. I got mine at PetCo.  This is wonderful for carpet quick fixes but I haven't found it too effective for clothing.  It works but gettting the hair out of it is a bit of a chore.

I also have 2 of the reuseable roller types, one on a short handle and one on a long one for carpet.  These are sticky enough but to remove the hair you have to wet it.  Then you have to wait for it to dry for it to become sticky again, so you get one swipe.  I got these at Foster's Smith Vet catalog and would say they are a total waste of money.

Then I have a very thin wire brush with very flexible bristles that I purchased from the Blind Industries in a charity drive.  Sincerely, the thing is wonderful, works on everything, is easy to clean and if it gets dirty, it is easy to wash off.  Works on short and long hair.  I just don't know if they are still available, but it is on a wooden handle and is about 4-5 inches long.

Finally, I have one from the fuller brush company.  This one has both a brush and a velour pad and is on a wooden handle.  It is versatile and works well, but it is rather small so it works best on garments.  We keep it in the closet so we can sweep off the hair after dressing.

I have found keeping lint rollers in both car, in the walk-in closet, in the kitchen, discreetly hidden in the family room, in all of the bathrooms and in the laundry room keeps us and our guests fairly hair free.  The combo approach, different rollers for different purposes, seems to work best for us.