one woman mission to keep cat hair at bay - what tools and tips do I need?

[gingerparkin]

We have recently taken on 2 new family members in the shape of 2 lovely boys from Battersea Cats Home. You couldn't ask for nicer, friendlier or more well-behaved cats and we love them. The only issue is the hair!! They are short-haired but they seem to be excessively shedding at the moment. I have brought a furminator this week which is removing so much hair from them, I am surprised they have any left!

I know it's unrealistic to banish it completely but what can I do to keep manage it without turning myself demented? My current hoover is rubbish and i have some money put aside to get a replacement so thinking I should perhaps invest in either the dyson or miele animal version. Any recommendations?

Any other tips?? We have mainly wooden floors throughout but some carpeting in a couple of rooms upstairs (Recently laid, dark grey and one of the cats is white :-o).

I am trying to protect chairs etc with throws etc for now. What is the best way to remove the hair before washing them?

I am hoping that when they are allowed outside, the inside shedding should reduce a bit (fingers crossed) At the moment I am having to leave getting dressed until the absolute last minute to avoid leaving with an extra layer of cat hair. It's not the best look for the office.

Thank you in advance!

It's tricky. Do they have favourite places to sleep/rest? Our cat has a number of "nests" and cushions. She also prefers dark colours so anyone visiting dressed in black gets an immediate visit! I keep a knackered old black cardi to wear in the house which is known as my "cat hair cardi". Not much help on ideas for actually removing the hair, just managing it a bit.

Rubber gloves are great for picking up animal hair from carpet, soft furnishings and clothing. If you have a tumble dryer they get the hair off things brilliantly - it all sticks to the lint trap. Do get a vacuum cleaner designed to deal with animal hair though as it makes a big difference.

You could brush them, to get the worst of the fur out? I have a super old brush, but I see a zoom groom recommended lots on here. Furminator have their place but used sparingly, as they basically cut the under layer of fur out - not always a good thing, you could leave bald patches on your cats.

Another vote for rubber gloves, maybe very slightly damp. Plus a rubber broom, rubber brush etc. And hoovering surfaces rather than dusting!

We tend to get changed straight away of of 'good clothes' into house clothes that we don't mind being covered in cat hair.

Zoom grooms are effective and gentle, furminators kick ass in moulting season.

I wouldn't bother with miele cat and dog, mines falling apart after 2.5 years. It's advertised as "20 years use" so I'm miffed.

I've found a rubber window squeezee brilliant for getting cat hair off the stair carpet. Would imagine it would also work on fabric sofa's, etc (I have a leather one, so don't have that problem).

Get a furminator. Tumble dry pet bedding to get the hairs off. X