Fabrics that Repel Dog Hair 101

If you’re a dog owner, you already know the struggle: no matter how much you vacuum, sweep, or lint roll, it seems like dog hair is everywhere — especially on your clothes and furniture. While grooming and cleaning routines make a difference, one of the most underrated tricks for managing dog hair is choosing the right fabrics. In this post, we’ll explore fabrics that repel dog hair, why they work, and how you can use them to make life with your furry friend a lot less hairy.

array of different colored linen fabrics — (Psst: These are loose weave linens—they would absolutely not repel dog hair!)

Why Some Fabrics Repel Dog Hair (and Others Don’t)

The key to understanding which fabrics work best is looking at texture, weave, and static. Dog hair tends to cling to fabrics that are fuzzy, have a loose weave, or generate a lot of static electricity. Fabrics that repel dog hair, on the other hand, tend to be smooth, tightly woven, and low-static.

A tight weave doesn’t give dog hair much to grab onto, while smoother textures prevent it from sticking in the first place. Additionally, fabrics that don’t generate as much static are less likely to attract fur like a magnet.

💡Tip: In addition to choosing the right fabrics, figuring out how to reduce static in your home all together can actually help with things like keeping dog hair off your clothes and furniture. Here’s a handy guide to reducing static in your home.

a tight weave fabric that repels dog hair next to a loose weave fabric that would not — Fabrics that repel dog hair usually have a tight weave like what’s on the left, whereas the fabric on the right would catch it easily!

Top Fabrics That Repel Dog Hair

Here are some of the most effective fabrics for keeping dog hair off your clothing, bedding, and furniture. (We go into additional detail in our post about pet hair resistant clothing, if you’re interested!)

1. Polyester

Polyester is a popular synthetic fabric that is durable, affordable, and naturally resistant to dog hair. Because it has a smooth texture and tight weave, fur doesn’t easily cling to it. It’s also used in many blends, including activewear and home textiles.

2. Nylon

a photo of blue nylon tights on a yellow background

Lightweight and tightly woven, nylon is another great option for resisting pet hair. It’s often used in outerwear and active clothing because of its slick surface. Dog hair has a hard time sticking to it, and it’s easy to brush off with your hands.

3. Leather (and Faux Leather)

a close up of leather, which is a fabric that repels dog hair

Whether genuine or synthetic, leather and pleather are some of the easiest materials to keep fur-free. Hair can’t embed into the surface and simply wipes off. While not breathable, leather is perfect for couches, car seats, or jackets.

4. Silk & Satin

a close up of red satin, a fabric that repels dog hair

Though delicate, silk and satin are smooth enough that pet hair just slides off. They’re a good choice for special occasion wear or pillowcases, though they may not be the most durable for everyday life with pets. (See a list of some recommended satin pajamas at our post here.)

5. Denim

Believe it or not, good-quality denim is fairly dog-hair-resistant. Its sturdy weave doesn’t trap fur easily, especially in darker washes or 100% cotton versions. Denim jackets, jeans, or even slipcovers can be great options. We recommend a great selection of affordable denim you can find on Amazon here.

6. Spandex/Elastane Blends

Often used in athletic and casual wear, these stretchy fabrics tend to have a slick feel that prevents pet hair from sticking too much. When blended with polyester or nylon, they’re even more resistant. We especially recommend looking for blends that are around 75% polyester and 25% Spandex, LYCRA, or Elastane.

Fabrics to Avoid If You Have Dogs

selection of fabrics that do not repel dog hair, like linen and corduroy, with an expressive doberman in front of them — Linen, corduroy, fleece, and wool are among some of the fabrics that catch dog hair and hang on tight!

Just like some fabrics make your life easier, others make it exponentially harder. Avoid the following if you want to stay fur-free:

Fleece: Super soft and cozy, but a magnet for pet hair.
Wool: The fuzzy texture traps fur, and it’s hard to remove.
Corduroy: Those ridges are a haven for embedded hair.
Linen: Loosely woven and static-prone.
Stretchy Rayon Blends: Tend to cling to everything, especially fine fur.

Everyday Uses: Where These Fabrics Shine

Knowing what fabrics repel dog hair is helpful, but let’s talk about real-world uses:

Clothing

Look for leggings, jackets, joggers, and tops made of polyester or nylon blends. Brands like Lululemon, Fabletics, and Halara are popular among pet parents for their hair-resistant options. Leather jackets or denim can also be smart outerwear choices.

See our guide to pet hair resistant clothing here, and find links to recommended brands and clothing items!

Furniture

a picture of a golden retriever on a pet hair resistant couch blanket — image sourced from amazon.com screenshot | Check Price of This Product

Invest in leather, faux leather, or tightly woven canvas slipcovers. Avoid plush or textured upholstery. If you must go soft, use washable polyester blankets as barriers.

💡Tip: Couch covers, couch covers, couch covers! There are hundreds to choose from on Amazon. Here are some best-sellers:

Ameritex Waterproof Pet Blanket with Anti-Slip Back – This one comes in 11 different sizes and just about as many color combinations. We love that it’s more of a blanket than something specific for a couch, so you can easily pick it up, shake it off outside, and transfer it to another space in the house, like a bed.
KEKUOU Stretch Sofa Cover Slipcover – Over 11,000 reviews and 4.5 stars in total. This one comes in 4 different sizes and over a dozen color choices. It’s also made of polyester and spandex, which can help make brushing dog hair off pretty easy.

Bedding

Polyester or microfiber sheets and duvet covers are easier to clean and less likely to trap hair than cotton flannel or jersey. Some even come labeled as “pet hair resistant.”

Here are some of Amazon’s best-selling bedding sets made with fabrics that repel dog hair, that also come in tons of options and are highly reviewed:

Southshore Fine Living Quilt Set – This is an oversized quilt and two pillow shams that come in dozens of colors and all standard bedding sizes. Makes a perfect topper for your bed that your dog can sleep on as well, without you having to worry about whether or not all that dog hair will come out in the wash.
6 Piece Microfiber Hotel Luxury Sheet Set – Nearly 85k reviews and over 4.5 stars! We love this sheet set because it’s pure microfiber making it extra pet-hair resistant, plus it comes in dozens of colors and has deep pockets to ensure the fitted sheet won’t slip off your bed.

Car Interiors

image of golden retriever in the backseat of a car on a pet hair resistant carseat cover — image sourced from Amazon.com screenshot | Check Price of This Product

Use seat protectors made from nylon or faux leather. These resist hair and are easy to wipe down between vacuuming sessions.

Here are some of the best selling car seat covers for pets on Amazon, and our thoughts:

Best-selling Backseat Dog Hammock – Not only does this protect your back seat from pet hair, it also helps protect your pet as well as you as the driver, blocking your dog from sneaking to the front seat!
Front Seat Car Cover for Dogs – Does your pup prefer to sit up front? This cover works on the front passenger’s seat, keeping it clean so that you can easily remove it whenever you have a passenger.
Simple Backseat Cover – This is one of our favorites, since unlike the hammock, you don’t have to take it out so that passengers can sit in the backseat. You could either remove the cover, or just brush or vacuum the dog hair off of it.

Quick Tips for Maximizing Pet Hair Resistance

Use anti-static spray like Downy Wrinkle Release, Static Guard, or Bounce Anti-Static Spray to reduce cling. You can also DIY your own dog hair repelling anti-static spray: We teach you how here, on our ultimate guide to removing pet hair from clothes.
Brush your dog regularly to reduce shedding at the source. The Swihauk Brush is not only a great everyday brush, but an Amazon bestseller.
Run clothes through the dryer with a dryer sheet before washing to help loosen hair. Bounce makes dryer sheets specifically for pet hair, but wool dryer balls seem effective at knocking pet hair off in the dryer as well.
Choose darker colors if you have a light-colored dog, and vice versa.

Final Thoughts

While no fabric is 100% immune to dog hair, choosing the right materials can make a massive difference in how often you find yourself scrubbing and lint rolling. From smooth synthetics to sturdy weaves, these fabrics that repel dog hair can help you keep your home, clothes, and sanity a lot cleaner.

Want more tips for keeping your home fur-free? Check out our guide on pet hair resistant clothes or download our printable Pet Hair Removal Cheat Sheet.