Shedding Season: Tackling Animal Hair in Bedding, Towels, and More

With the arrival of summer, animals begin to shed their winter coats to stay cool. This natural shedding process, while beneficial for the animals, presents challenges for farms, veterinary clinics, and equine stables in managing animal hair in laundry items such as bedding and towels.

The Shedding Season Explained

Animals shed their fur to regulate their body temperature according to seasonal changes. During winter, they grow thicker coats, which they shed in the summer to avoid overheating. This seasonal shedding is common among various animals:

• Sheep: Shed their winter coats naturally as temperatures rise.
• Cattle: Lose their dense winter hair to stay cool.
• Goats: Experience significant moulting periods.
• Horses: Shed their heavy winter coats in spring and summer.
• Dogs and Cats: Especially long-haired breeds, shed heavily during summer.

While this process is crucial for the animals’ comfort, it poses additional challenges for those managing animal care facilities.

The Effects of Shedding on Laundry

During the shedding season, the influx of animal hair can greatly impact the laundry process:

• Farms: Bedding, blankets, and towels used for livestock can become heavily laden with hair, complicating cleaning efforts and maintaining hygiene standards.
• Veterinary Clinics: Treating animals often results in hair-covered towels and bedding, making the laundry routine more demanding.
• Equine Stables: Horse blankets, saddle pads, and grooming towels accumulate hair, necessitating extra effort to clean.

Importance of Effective Laundry Equipment

Selecting the right laundry equipment tailored to the specific needs of each facility is crucial. The laundry needs of a dairy farm differ vastly from those of a veterinary practice. To help, we’ve curated top recommendations and advice for each animal-focused sector.

• Veterinary Practices
• Equine Stables
• Dairy Farms

Tips for Managing Animal Hair in Laundry

Pre-Laundry Preparation:

Shake and Brush: Before washing, shake out bedding and towels outside to remove loose hair. Use a brush or lint roller for further hair removal.

Vacuum: Employ a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to eliminate hair from fabrics before placing them in the washing machine.

Laundry Equipment Maintenance:

Clean Filters Regularly: Prevent hair buildup by frequently cleaning washing machine and dryer filters to maintain efficiency and avoid damage.

Professional Servicing: Schedule regular professional maintenance to keep laundry equipment in top condition, especially during peak shedding seasons. Browse our service solutions here.

Washing and Drying Techniques:

Use Liquid Fabric Softener: This can help loosen hair from fabrics, making it easier to remove during washing and drying.

Dryer Balls: Add dryer balls to the tumble dryer. They help to agitate fabrics, loosening hair and allowing it to be captured in the lint trap.

Conclusion

Handling the influx of animal hair in laundry during the summer shedding season is challenging. However, with the right preparation, equipment, and techniques, farms, veterinary clinics, boarding kennels, and equine stables can maintain efficient and hygienic laundry processes. By embracing these strategies, you can manage the extra hair load effectively, ensuring a clean and comfortable environment for the animals in your care.