Can You Compost Hair and Fur?
Yes. Human hair and pet fur are nitrogen-rich and compost fully, but slowly. Spread them thin or mix them in so they don't form water-repelling mats.
At a glance
| Home compost pile | Yes |
|---|---|
| Green or brown | Green (nitrogen-rich) |
| Moisture | Dry |
| Prep | None needed |
| Worm bin | With care |
| Bokashi | No |
How to compost hair and fur
Pull hair from brushes and pet groomings into loose tufts and scatter them through the pile rather than adding a wad. Mix them with wet material, since dry hair repels water. Skip fur from pets recently treated with spot-on flea or tick products.
Hair salons and dog groomers produce hair in bulk if you want more; balance it with extra browns, since it's nitrogen-rich.
What goes wrong
Clumps of hair can stay intact for a year or more. Tease them apart and mix them into the moist, active part of the pile. Remove hair ties, bits of plastic and synthetic extensions.
Worm bins and bokashi
Worm bin: Small amounts of hair are fine in worm bins, but it breaks down slowly and can tangle in the bedding.
Bokashi: Hair doesn't do much in bokashi; add it straight to the pile.
This counts as a green. Adding a lot of it? Check the balance with the compost mix calculator.
From hopcompost.com/can-you-compost/hair-and-fur/ · General guidance, not professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does hair take to compost?
Loose hair in an active pile can break down within a few months; clumps can last a year or more. Spreading it thin makes the biggest difference.
Can you compost dog hair?
Yes, just like human hair. Skip fur from pets recently treated with spot-on flea or tick products.
Is hair green or brown in compost?
Green. It's high in nitrogen from the protein keratin, even though it's dry. Pair it with browns like leaves.