Buying guide for best pet lint rollers
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Pets bring joy to our lives. But the one thing most pet owners could do without is all the hair and dander a dog or cat can leave around the house. Whether it’s on your clothing, couch, or scattered across the floor, it makes an annoying mess that can trigger allergies. Fortunately, with a pet lint roller, you can clean up pet hair quickly and easily anywhere in your home.
A pet lint roller is similar to any lint roller. It’s usually a cylindrical-shaped tool with a mechanism that picks up debris from materials, such as clothing, upholstery, or window coverings. Unlike a standard lint roller, however, a pet lint roller is designed specifically to remove deeply embedded pet hair and usually features an adhesive surface to pick up the hair.
While most pet lint rollers are similar, you’ll need to first figure out whether you want a reusable roller or one that requires adhesive replacements, what size you prefer, and what other features you’ll need for easy pet hair removal. To learn more, take a look at our helpful guide. We’ve even included our top picks for pet lint rollers to make shopping easy.
Key considerations
Disposable vs. reusable
Most pet lint rollers feature a roll of adhesive similar to masking tape that’s able to pull pet hair off fabric surfaces around your home. The adhesive tape is perforated into strips, so when a section becomes full of pet hair and other debris, you simply peel off the dirty section to reveal a fresh piece of adhesive underneath it.
The disposable adhesive rolls on pet lint rollers are replaceable, so when you’ve used up all of the adhesive strips, you can simply place a new roll on the handle. Which, of course, adds to the overall expense of the roller, because you’ll eventually have to purchase replacement rolls.
However, some pet lint rollers are reusable, so you don’t have to replace the rolls. You can opt for reusable models that still have a sticky surface to pick up pet hair and other debris but can be washed afterward without reducing the stickiness of the surface. Other reusable options use static electricity to draw pet hair off fabric surfaces and collect it in an internal chamber that you then empty afterward.
Disposable adhesive pet lint rollers are typically the most effective, though they may cost more in the long run because of the need for replacement adhesive rolls. Reusable pet lint rollers may require more passes over surfaces to pick up all of the pet hair, but they are a more eco-friendly option and will save you money.
Size
Pet lint rollers can vary in size. The length and width of the surface that actually picks up the pet hair is key, because it determines how many times you’ll need to roll it over your sofa or curtains to remove all of the hair. Most cylindrical models are 10 to 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. Some large rollers can reach up to 24 inches in length and width.
If you’re mainly using the lint roller to remove pet hair from your clothing, a smaller size should work well. If you plan to use the roller to pick up pet hair from your sofa, carpeting, or the length of your curtains, you’ll want a larger roller so you can work more quickly.
Handle design
The majority of pet lint rollers have an ergonomically designed handle that makes it more comfortable to hold. However, you can also find rollers that are essentially tubes, so they don’t have a proper handle. Instead, there are contours in the actual cylinder where your fingers can sit comfortably. A quality ergonomic handle is particularly important, though, to prevent fatigue and pain if you have hand or wrist issues.
Features
Handle length
Most pet lint rollers have short handles that fit securely in your hand, so you have significant control when you’re rolling it over items. These shorter handles usually range from 6 to 12 inches in length and can work well if you’re mainly using the roller to remove pet hair from clothing and other items you don’t have to strain to reach.
However, if you plan to use your pet lint roller to remove hair from rugs, carpeting, window coverings, or any surface that you might need to crouch or stretch to reach, you’ll want a model with a longer handle. Some even have telescopic handles that can extend to over 40 inches, so you can reach every surface.
Sheets per roll
If you opt for a traditional pet lint roller with adhesive, it’s important to consider the number of perforated sheets that each roll contains so you can determine how often you’ll need to replace the rolls and what kind of value you’re getting. Some rolls have as few as 48 sheets, while others offer up to 100 sheets.
Number of rolls
All adhesive pet lint rollers include at least one roll of adhesive, so you can use the roller as soon as you take it out of the packaging. However, some models include refill rolls, which prevents you from having to purchase additional rolls right away.
Some pet lint rollers come with just a single refill roll, while others include up to eight refill rolls. You may pay a little more for a roller that includes multiple refills, but it’s usually a better value in the long run because you pay less per sheet.
Cover
All adhesive pet lint rollers usually have a piece of nonadhesive paper that wraps around the sticky surface to prevent it from getting dirty when it’s not in use. However, some models include a hard plastic cover that slides over the adhesive roller, which is more secure and usually more effective in preventing the adhesive from picking up dirt and debris when the roller is in storage.
Scented
Some pet lint rollers are infused with a light scent, so when you roll it over your sofa or carpeting, it leaves behind a pleasant fragrance. Since cats and dogs can sometimes get a little stinky, it’s an easy way to freshen up the spots where they usually hang out while removing their hair at the same time.
"Some pet lint removers are strong enough to pick up ticks from furniture and other surfaces around your home to keep them from infesting your pets. "
STAFF
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Best pet lint roller prices
Inexpensive
Pet lint rollers are relatively inexpensive home-cleaning tools. The most affordable pet lint rollers are basic handheld adhesive models. They can include anywhere from 50 to 250 sheets and usually cost between $5 and $14.
Mid-range
For $14 to $25, you can find pet lint rollers that are usually larger adhesive models with a longer handle that work well for cleaning carpeting or drapes.
Expensive
The priciest pet liner rollers are reusable or washable models. Rollers with washable adhesive surfaces usually cost between $20 and $30, while those that use static electricity typically range from $30 to $40.
Tips
- Don’t leave an adhesive pet lint roller sitting on any surface when it’s uncovered. It may stick to some items fairly strongly, so you’ll have a difficult time pulling it off.
- Never submerge a washable pet lint roller in water. Instead, move it quickly beneath running tap water or use a damp cloth to wipe down the roller surface to avoid washing away too much of the adhesive.
- If you’re using a pet lint roller that pulls in hair with static electricity, use short strokes as you roll it over the surface to effectively trap the pet hair.
FAQ
Q. What types of surfaces can I use a pet lint roller on?
A. Pet lint rollers work well on most upholstered and fabric surfaces. That includes clothing, furniture, throw pillows, bedding, carpeting, throw rugs, curtains and other window coverings, car interiors, handbags, and children’s stuffed toys.
Q. How often should I use a pet lint roller?
A. That really depends on how much your pet sheds. In most cases, you should use your lint roller whenever you notice pet hair building up on your clothing, furniture, or other surfaces around your home. You may want to keep an extra roller in your purse or car so you can clean up pet hair on the go.
Q. Can a pet lint roller pick up other debris besides pet hair?
A. Pet lint rollers work just like any other lint roller, though they’re designed to remove more deeply embedded hair. That means a pet lint roller can pick up the same lint or debris that any roller would.
