What to do about the hair now
- Vacuum. Go over the seat, the backrest, the areas under the cushions and the gaps with a vacuum cleaner. That is where things you cannot see from outside build up.
- Brush lightly. Light brushing is allowed even on fabrics with code X, on which no liquid is used. No pressure is needed.
- Follow the direction of the pile. Velour and other pile fabrics are brushed in the direction of the pile, and only when they are completely dry.
- Do not dampen. Do not wet the fabric to make the hair easier to collect. Moisture on the fabric can leave water rings, and water and pressure harm velour.
- Repeat regularly. If you have a pet at home, the hair will come back. A single clean does not change that.
The fabric decides how hard you can brush
| Fabric or code | What to bear in mind |
|---|---|
| Code X | only vacuuming and light brushing; no liquid at all; any other cleaning has to be decided separately |
| Velour, chenille | pressure marks and shade changes are a property of the fabric, not damage; rubbing will not fix the pile |
| Viscose pile | must not be rubbed; water and pressure can crush it permanently |
| Cotton, linen | pilling on new natural-fibre fabric is normal, and those bobbles are not hair |
| Microfibre, flock | there is no general rule, see the label; more detail: microfibre and flock sofa cleaning |
| No label | codes are voluntary, so some sofas do not have one; test in a hidden spot before using liquid |
We do not say which fabric holds hair more, because there is no reliable source for it. For the same reason we do not promise that hair will come off a given fabric more easily.
What the hair may be hiding
Hair in itself is a matter for the vacuum cleaner. Cleaning is worth ordering if something else comes with the hair. There are at least three such cases, and each has separate advice on what to do at once and what may stay.
- Urine. A sharp smell or a stain under a cushion is a different job: urine smell in a sofa and cat urine smell in furniture.
- A general animal smell or a dirty spot where the pet sleeps: why a sofa smells.
- Stains from food or dirty paws: stains on a sofa.
If a cat repeatedly urinates on the sofa, consult a vet first. It may be a matter of health or behaviour, and cleaning does not fix that. If something in the sofa bites or you see insects, that is a job for pest control, not cleaning.
What to write in the form if a cat or dog lives on the sofa
- what animal it is and how long it has used the sofa;
- which spot is its favourite and whether there is a smell there;
- whether there has been urine, and when;
- what the fabric is and what the label says;
- whether there are scratches or pulled threads.
Attach an overall photo and a close-up of the spot where the pet sleeps: how to photograph a sofa for a price. If the code is X, cleaning with liquid cannot be taken for granted, and the specialist needs to know this in advance.
What you can expect from cleaning
Usually comes out
- Hair on the surface and in the gaps.
- Dirt where the pet usually sleeps.
- Stains, if the fabric allows the cleaning needed: they often become less visible.
May stay
- Hair pressed into the fabric may partly stay.
- Scratches and pulled threads: this is damage, not dirt.
- Pressure marks on velour: they are a property of the fabric.
- A urine smell, if it has reached the upholstery.
If you are looking for a solution because of an allergy, start with a doctor. If the aim is a tidy sofa, cleaning is a sensible step, but the hair will reappear over time.
When to order cleaning and how much it costs
We clean at your home in Riga and the Riga region: sofa cleaning after a cat or dog. We agree the price before work starts. A two-seater sofa costs from €35, a three-seater from €45, a corner sofa from €50. The minimum order is €45: if the total is lower, you pay €45. Travel is included in Riga and up to about 15 km outside Riga; further out it is from €10. Send a photo and the specialist will give you the price.
Sources
- Code X: only vacuuming and light brushing; the label code checked 7 November 2026
- Pile fabric is brushed in the direction of the pile when completely dry; viscose pile must not be rubbed checked 7 November 2026
- Pressure marks on velour and chenille are a property of the fabric; pilling of natural fibres is normal checked 7 November 2026
- Codes are voluntary; testing in a hidden spot; covers are not taken off for separate washing checked 7 November 2026
- Too much moisture can leave a water ring checked 7 November 2026
- Vacuuming upholstered furniture, including under cushions and in gaps; fleas are a pest matter checked 7 November 2026
- Repeated urination outside the tray: health causes must be ruled out checked 7 November 2026