How to Clean Pet Hair From Beneath the Refrigerator

There are a couple of ways to get under your fridge to remove pet hair without having to move the heavy appliance. One of the easiest ways is to use an under-fridge vacuum attachment. Some brands may have vacuum attachments specifically for this purpose, but you can use any attachment that is long enough and thin enough to get under the fridge. The suction power of the vacuum will whisk pet hair out from under your appliances in no time.

If you don't have a vacuum attachment that will work, there are other options. Take a yardstick or something similar and wrap a rag or sock around it. Then, use the stick to sweep under the fridge and pull out the pet hair and other dirt and debris. Another option is to purchase a drain cleaning zip tool from your local hardware store and use this to sweep debris from under the fridge.

Sometimes, just removing the pet hair from under the fridge isn't enough, and you want to do a deeper clean. Start by pulling the refrigerator straight out away from the wall and unplugging the fridge. Many refrigerator models are on wheels, which makes them easier to move, but avoid moving the appliance side to side, which can damage your floor and the refrigerator.

Now that the fridge is out of the way, sweep or vacuum all of the pet hair and dirt. Then, mop the floor with a floor cleaner of your choice. You can also wipe down the walls and sides of the fridge if needed. While the refrigerator is away from the wall, it is a good opportunity to clean the condenser coils, which become less effective when they are covered with dirt and pet hair.

Use a soft brush or vacuum brush attachment to brush off the coils. Check the user manual for your refrigerator for specific cleaning tips and warnings. Once everything is clean and the floor has fully dried, plug in the refrigerator and move it back into its normal position.

While you cannot completely eliminate shedding, you can take some steps to reduce the amount of pet hair your pets shed in your home. The best way to do this is to regularly groom your pets. Unlike dogs, cats groom themselves, but they still benefit from regular brushing, especially if you have a long-hair cat. Some animals need to be groomed daily, while others will thrive with a weekly brushing depending on the length and thickness of the coat. Be sure to groom more often in the spring when your pets are shedding their winter coat.

For short-hair pets, a soft bristle brush or grooming mitt will effectively groom the hair. For pets with longer hair, opt for a slicker brush or steel comb. Since dogs don't groom themselves, they will also benefit from regular baths as well.