How do you clean these things? My flaps have gone from clear to almost no-see-thru black from the combination of dirt and oils from their fur.
1405848
I never saw them get that dirty, but you would certainly take off the dirty one and put it in the sink and use dish washing liquid with hot water. One of mine has gotten sun faded and I was considering that with scotch-brite or lite steel wool to sort of polish it back to see-through.
1405849
I suggest using dish soap and water. If you really want to clean them well, take a few more minutes and remove the flaps from the mounting screws and soak them in the sink with hot water and dish soap for an hour, rinse, replace and see what you think.
1405850
I usually spray them with a liquid cleaning solution like windex or Lysol and them wipe with towels.
1405851
The easiest way is to remove them from the door (4 screws) and lay them flat. Take a sponge with warm soapy water (dawn works great) and scrub them down until they're clean. You can also soak them in a sink to loosen the grime. Then rinse with clean water and put them back up. Don't use any abrasive type of sponge because it will scratch the flaps. You can clean them with the flaps in place but be careful not to tear them.
1318945
I have spot cleaned them with baking soda and water. Also with the upholstery attachment on my carpet shampooer.
2039431
If they are heavily carbon blackened you will need to remove them. I used a combination of cleaner degreaser and some some Soft Scrub cleaner.
505529
We smoke and we have pets. I keep them as clean as I can but have to save money when I can. I vacuum the filter at least once a week and I take the black pre filter off and just lightly rinse it in cold water, and squeeze it as dry as I can on a towel. Just let it set out on the counter on a towel for an hour or so to finish drying, put it back where it belongs, works good as new. If your in a hurry you can use a blow dryer on it, you squeeze it basically dry anyway. I did try to rinse the whole filter once and no you can't. It just falls apart, but you can rinse the foam black carbon filter. I completely change filters about every 3 months this way. We smoke and we have pets. I keep them as clean as I can but have to save money when I can. I vacuum the filter at least once a week and I take the black pre filter off and just lightly rinse it in cold water, and squeeze it as dry as I can on a towel. Just let it set out on the counter on a towel for an hour or so to finish drying, put it back where it belongs, works good as new. If your in a hurry you can use a blow dryer on it, you squeeze it basically dry anyway. I did try to rinse the whole filter once and no you can't. It just falls apart, but you can rinse the foam black carbon... » Read More We smoke and we have pets. I keep them as clean as I can but have to save money when I can. I vacuum the filter at least once a week and I take the black pre filter off and just lightly rinse it in cold water, and squeeze it as dry as I can on a towel. Just let it set out on the counter on a towel for an hour or so to finish drying, put it back where it belongs, works good as new. If your in a hurry you can use a blow dryer on it, you squeeze it basically dry anyway. I did try to rinse the whole filter once and no you can't. It just falls apart, but you can rinse the foam black carbon filter. I completely change filters about every 3 months this way. « Show Less
1539820
I have 3 dogs and totally understand the dusty, believe me! :) I have two of these and have had them about 3-4 months now. I can definitely tell some difference in how much dust there is. Granted, I still have dust, just less of it. Just to see how well they were working, I checked my filters a few days ago (remember, I have only had these 3-4 months) and they were jam packed full of dust and were in need of changing. I have new filters on the way! I will be changing them way more frequently then they suggest, that's for sure. Now, I'm thinking that MAYBE if you don't currently use a purifier, that maybe that because of all the yucky stuff in the air that it's pulling out for the first time, maybe the first filters should be changed much sooner, and maybe after the initial air cleaning you can go longer between filter changes. At least that's what I am hoping. We'll see. I hope this helps with your question! :)
2087675
i cleaned both comb and brush by jst rubbing n2 bristles good with hand and then ran comb through brush bristles and let them soak in the wtr/shampoo for about an hour - rinse well! hope this hlps u - av a good day - happy777
1840182
I swept/vacuumed well...then I cleaned it with vinegar and water...then I put the pets outside and applied the Pro Shot with a soft cloth going with the grain of the wood (this was done on wood floors, not tile, so all I know about is wood) being sure I could see that I over-lapped and covered ever where as when your done it will be dramatically different and if you miss spots you'll see the difference. I left the animals outside for a few hours but that long is probably not necessary. It dries pretty fast but I didn't want to take any chances of hair getting "sealed in" or paw marks. Hope that is helpful - SMD
292270
The biggest pain was washing them - we kept a bucket of water and dropped the soiled ones in, then machine washed inside out with velcro fastened. Eventually, we went to baby disposable diapers and cut a hole for the tail. Had to pin those shut though. The things we do for our fur-babies!
1383527
I just use a soft brush and warm water with a little bit of an organic cleaner (I use Amway's SA8). Sometimes just wiping them down with warm water and a soft cloth works.
214962
Depending on how porous or rubberized the black plastic is, I would try flushing the area with warm water and you might have to use an old toothbrush to get into the embedded areas.
1797647
Same answer as Sheli. I have to scrub it with soap and a washcloth or loofa multiple times because I make mine very thick and dark. Good luck.
1706625
I have had mine for a little less than a year, only thing they get is lint sometimes on them but that can come off. Is yours black lint or staining the actual wool?
830028
all I've done to clean this is either run an old rag up the spine or if it seemed like an oily dust I ran a damp sponge over it. I've found it best to go in the direction of the 'thingies' (don't know what to call them) Regenia
70979
Ours eventually came off but u could try acetone (by the nail polish remover at Walmart) & then be sure to wash their feet really good. I won't use these again, my dog hated them & I felt terrible!
1640286
The best way to clean them is vacuuming them with a vacuum. When you can no longer get them somewhat clean it is time for a new one. The cleaner they are the more suction the vacuum will have.
155768
I have no problems. We've had it a few months now. I just treat them like carseat straps. Mild soap and warm water. Wipes clean! :)
2069575
Doreen, I have used mine for 5 months and I am just now going to replace them. I do not have a pet, and frequently try to keep them clean.