How to Remove Lint from Clothes: Tips and Tricks for a Lint-Free Wardrobe

As a mom of three, it is a daily challenge to get my kids out the door on time and looking their best for the day. Despite all of my best efforts to keep up with laundry, I am always astonished by the amount of lint and fuzz on my kids’ clean clothes. Seriously, what gives?! 

I quickly found that lint rollers can only go so far in fighting this battle. So, I decided to tackle the problem head-on and find ways to prevent lint buildup before it happens. In this comprehensive guide, I’m sharing my favorite tips for preventing and removing lint, along with step-by-step instructions for cleaning your appliances’ lint filters and traps. It’s amazing how much better my family’s clothes look since I began my campaign against lint – and I’m sure you’ll see great results too!

Lint: What is it?

Ugh, lint. The bane of laundry day and the archnemesis of black clothes everywhere. But what is lint, exactly? Let’s break it down: lint is made up of tiny fibers that shed from clothes during wear, washing, and drying. Static electricity helps these fibers cling to fabrics, especially synthetics like polyester and nylon. Add in pet hair, dust, and other particles, and you’ve got a perfect storm for lint buildup.

Certain fabrics—like cotton towels or wool sweaters—shed more lint than others, and mixing these “lint producers” with “lint attractors” (like dark knits) in the wash can make things worse. Wool sweaters and cotton towels are among the worst culprits, especially when they come into contact with fabrics that attract lint, including synthetics like polyester, nylon, and microfiber, plush fabrics like corduroy, and knits.

Lint can be particularly noticeable with new clothes, as excess fibers from manufacturing shed during the first few washes.

How to Remove Lint from Clothes

Thankfully, there are many straightforward, time-tested methods for how to get rid of lint on clothes. Here are my top tips for keeping your clothes looking clean and fuzz-free.

Lint Rollers

Perhaps the most common method to tackle lint is to use a lint roller, an inexpensive item that is easy to find online or at most supermarkets or retailers. They generally work well and are very simple to use: peel back the paper covering the sticky side of the roller and slowly roll it across the fabric. It will pick up lint, hair, dust, loose threads, and other particles. When it’s no longer picking up lint, simply peel off the used section, revealing the next sticky layer. 

I keep a lint roller near the full-length mirror in my bedroom, so I can quickly run it over my clothes after getting dressed. We also have one by the backdoor to quickly and easily use on my kids’ clothes before leaving the house. 

If you don’t have a lint roller handy, you can use heavy-duty packing tape or masking tape to pull off lint and hair, although this is more time-consuming. 

Lint Brushes

Although lint rollers are ideal for removing lint quickly, they have certain drawbacks, including the waste paper they produce. In comparison, lint brushes are more environmentally friendly, as they can be reused repeatedly. A lint brush resembles a hairbrush, except it has a soft, velvety pad instead of bristles.

Starting from the top, slowly brush the garment downwards, towards the hem or cuffs. It will attract lint and fuzz as it goes. To clean the brush, just run your hand over the pad in the opposite direction to form a lint ball. 

Using an anti-static spray, a clothes steamer, or placing garments in a steamy bathroom after you’ve showered is a great way to reduce static cling. This makes it significantly easier for the brush to remove lint and hair effectively.

If you don’t have a lint brush, try rubbing a wool dryer ball, a lightly damped scouring sponge, or the finger of a damp rubber glove across the fabric.  

Electric Fabric Shavers

Also called fuzz balls or bobbles, pills tend to form on the parts of clothes that receive the most abrasion, including knees, thighs, armpits, and cuffs.

Fabric shavers, also known as defuzzers or depillers, are available in manual or electric versions, with the latter being especially convenient and versatile. These tools are designed to gently shave away the excess fabric that has pilled on clothing. An electric fabric shaver has adjustable blades that work with various fabrics, including upholstery.

When using a fabric shaver, take care not to apply too much pressure, as this can nick the fabric and leave holes. A clean, dry disposable razor also works for shaving off pills, as long as you have a light touch and slide it down the fabric at a consistent angle. 

How to Prevent Lint Buildup on Clothes

Lint rollers, brushes, and fabric shavers are undeniably useful, but it’s even better if you can stop lint from taking hold in the first place. Here’s what I do to reduce lint buildup. 

Use a Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners are great for reducing static and relaxing clothing fibers to help wash away lint. For similar results, some people add a cup of distilled white vinegar during the final rinse cycle. However, the vinegar’s acidity may damage the washing machine’s rubber components, like seals and hoses, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before trying this.

Wash Similar Fabrics Together 

One of the biggest causes of lint buildup is washing “lint producers” (e.g., wool, cotton, and linen) in the same load as “lint attractors” (e.g., synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, plush fabrics like corduroy, and knits). Whenever possible, try to keep these fabrics separate to prevent lint from settling on the lint attractors. Similarly, washing light and dark fabrics separately will also help reduce the appearance of lint. 

Don’t Overload Your Machine 

You’ll also want to pay attention to how full your washing machine is and how much laundry detergent you use. An overloaded machine can significantly contribute to lint production due to the friction from many clothes rubbing together. 

Likewise, using the correct amount of detergent can help avoid lint buildup. I’m a big fan of HeySunday’s laundry detergent sheets, which come pre-measured, giving me the exact amount I need, whatever the load size. HeySunday detergent sheets dissolve easily at any temperature, even a cold cycle, which is recommended for lint prevention. 

Other Washing Tips

There’s more! Check out these other ideas to stop your clothes from accumulating lint in the washing machine. 

• Turning your clothes inside out helps protect the outside of the garments from rubbing against other fabrics in the washer, protecting them from gathering lint and pilling. 
• Make sure to fasten zippers and buttons so they don’t rub against your clothes or catch on loose threads. 
• Don’t forget to check pockets for napkins, tissues, and pocket lint, which can easily ruin an entire load of laundry. 
• Consider washing new clothes or towels on a short cycle by themselves, as they may shed fibers on other items in the load. 

• It’s a good idea to wash delicate items in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from friction with other garments and lint.

• For items that are especially likely to produce lint, such as wool sweaters, consider washing them by hand to protect your other clothes. 

• If you’re a pet owner, you’ll know the frustration of seeing your favorite shirts and pants covered in dog or cat hair. Using an anti-static spray can help prevent pet hair from sticking to clothing. For clothes that have picked up a lot of pet hair, using a brush or roller before washing will give them a better chance of coming out clean while protecting your washing machine from clogged pipes and filters.  

Drying Techniques for Reducing Lint

Tumble dryers can leave a huge amount of lint on your clothes, but you can avoid the worst with a few simple changes to your drying routine.

• Always clean your dryer’s lint trap after each use to ensure safety and fuzz-free drying. Likewise, check your dryer vents regularly to ensure enough air is flowing. 

• Using dryer sheets will help reduce static, making it harder for lint to stick to your clothes. Alternatively, a microfiber square will attract a huge amount of lint, protecting your other clothes. 

• Whenever possible, hang up your clothes to dry in an area with good air circulation. Not only is air drying better for your wallet and the environment, but it will also protect your clothes from the friction of tumble drying, which loosens fibers and increases lint residue. If air drying isn’t feasible, opt for your dryer’s gentle, low-heat cycle. 

• Wondering how to get the fuzz off clothes with your dryer? Use the “no heat” or ‘air only” setting for dry clothes covered in lint, hair, or fuzz. Add dryer sheets or wool dryer balls to reduce static and pick up the lint.

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Lint from Clothes

Want to learn more? Check out my answers to these common questions about lint removal. 

What is the best way to remove lint from black clothes?

For quick and easy lint removal, a lint roller is hard to beat. I’ve also had success with a few other methods, including running a damp scouring sponge over clothes covered in stubborn lint. Hanging your clothes in the bathroom while you shower is also very effective, as the steam reduces static and makes it easier to brush off the lint.

Can fabric softener help reduce lint?

Yes, fabric softener can help reduce lint by decreasing static cling and relaxing clothing fibers, preventing fuzz formation. 

How often should I clean my dryer’s lint trap?

You should remove the lint from your dryer’s lint screen after every use. Lint is highly flammable, and screens stuffed with lint can lead to clogged dryer vents, which is a major fire risk. A clean lint trap should also improve your appliance’s overall performance.

Why does my washing machine produce so much lint?

If your clothes come out of your washer covered in lint, it might be time to clean your machine’s lint filter, drain hose, and water pump filter. If you have a self-cleaning HE machine, run a cleaning cycle to flush away accumulated lint. 

To prevent lint buildup during washing, use a fabric softener and wash similar fabrics together. Using the correct amount of laundry detergent also helps, so I recommend trying HeySunday’s detergent sheets to take the guesswork out of measuring detergent.

How do I prevent my clothes from getting linty in the dryer?

Using a dryer sheet or wool dryer ball will help reduce static electricity and stop lint from sticking to your clothes. Cleaning the lint screen after every use and the exhaust vent every few months should also keep your machine performing at its best. 

Conclusion

As I know all too well, it can be incredibly challenging to keep up with your family’s laundry needs. Discovering tiny bits of fluff all over newly laundered clothes can be demoralizing, especially when you’ve spent hours washing, drying, and folding (not to mention searching for the clothes scattered around your kids’ bedrooms!). 

Although lint is frustrating, it doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. Washing clothes inside-out, separating lint producers and lint attractors, using an effective detergent, and air-drying clothes are simple lint-fighting strategies that you can incorporate into your laundry routine. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance of your washing machine and dryer are important not only for minimizing fire risk but also for extending the lifespan of your appliances. 

With these tips in your laundry arsenal, you’ll spend less time battling lint and more time enjoying the things that matter most (even if that’s just five extra minutes of peace before the next load!).