As pet owners, we always assume we’ll have some extra messes to take care of. This is true at home, and, if you don’t use a pet carrier when you drive with your pet, it’s true inside your car as well. You might get nose or tongue smears on the glass, mud in the carpet or the occasional accident to clean. One of the most common issues is dog or cat hair on the seats, and, since that hair can come off onto your clothes, or onto the clothes of your passengers, you’ll want to take care of that hair as quickly as possible.

If you have leather or vinyl seats, a quick once-over with a vacuum cleaner should be all it takes, but, if you have microfiber, woven fabric or suede-like seats, those hairs can become entangled in the fibers of your upholstery. You may need a little extra time and care to clean up after your long-haired friend.

Also, while we’re on the topic, you may want to take some extra measures to clean up any pet stains and odors or guard against future messes. We’ll get into that as well.

If a vacuum is no match for your pet hair problem, it’s time to break out some type of pet hair removing brush or lint removal device. A traditional lint brush or lint roller with adhesive sheets work great on pet hair, even if the hair has become entangled with your microfiber fabric.

That said, we also recommend using packing or strapping tape. These tapes have even more adhesive power than lint rollers, and you can get tape into the tight nooks, crannies and seams of your car seats, which are tough to reach with a brush or roller. If you have any experience with infant car seats, you know all about nooks and crannies.

For the sake of efficiency, you may find that a lint roller works great on large flat seat panels but tape works better on tougher or tighter spots, so try a combination to see what works best for you, your pet hair and your seat style.

Instead of cleaning your seats every time your furry friend goes for a spin with you, consider using a seat cover to keep loose fur off the upholstery in the first place. You can create your own barrier using something like a large sheet or you can purchase a cover specifically designed for pet usage. Many of them are even waterproof and quilted for an extra comfortable ride.

Simply put the seat cover on before you load up your pet and take it out when you’re done. Any hair or mess will go with the cover instead of staying on your seats.