Most of us know how annoying it can be when lint ruins a perfectly nice outfit, especially if you don’t have a roller at hand to get rid of that lint from your clothes. However, there are some tips and tricks you can use to remove lint from all kinds of garments, like woollen clothes, black clothes, sweaters, and more.
What is lint and how does it get on your favourite sweater?
Lint is basically a build-up of tiny fabric pieces on your clothes. Some materials, like cotton, wool, or linen, have such tightly packed fibres that during washing, or even everyday use, they start to separate and form those little pieces you see. Usually, the most affected areas are the ones that are subjected to more movement and friction, such as sleeves or cuffs, but if a garment is old and washed often, it can become more prone to lint.
Tips on how to remove lint from clothes without a lint roller
The easiest and quickest way to remove lint from your clothes is, of course, with the help of a lint roller, but you may not always have one when you need it. When you can’t find a lint roller, you can make do with whatever you have at hand.
Home-made lint roller.
If you have a long rolling pin and some packaging tape, you’ve already won. Take the tape, and wrap it around the rolling pin in a spiral, with the sticky side facing you. When you’re ready, use it as you’d use a lint roller to get rid of that lint on your clothes.
Use your hand.
If you don’t have a rolling pin, simply use some packaging tape and wrap it around your fingers, with the sticky side out. When you’re done, just start patting your garments to remove lint.
Packaging tape.
If you prefer, you can cut strips from the packaging tape, and use them directly on your clothes.
Velcro.
If you happen to have larger strips of Velcro lying around at home, you could use that instead of packaging tape.
Shaving razor.
Another solution is to take a clean shaving razor, and gently shave the surface of your garment to get rid of lint.
Extra tips for removing lint from woollen clothes
Woollen clothes can easily become static, so you may need to turn to other solutions when trying to remove lint.
Dryer sheet. If you rub a dryer sheet against your woollen clothes, it’s a double win—getting rid of static and lint at the same time.
Rubber glove. Rubbing your woollen clothes with a rubber glove will help you collect lint and pet hair in one go, so you can easily wipe them off.
Nylon. If you have nylon socks or stockings, now’s the time to use them. Pull one onto your hand, and rub your woollen sweater with it. The lint will stick to the nylon instead of the garment.
Extra tips for removing lint from black shirts, hoodies, and pants
Lint is extra visible on dark clothes, especially if the lint itself is light. Try these tips to get rid of it effectively:
Wash again. Throw your clothes into the washer, and wash them again, but this time, don’t use any detergent. You may add some fabric softener, which can help get rid of lint.
Wash with vinegar. Distilled white vinegar works similarly to fabric softener, as it prevents static while helping to soften up your fabrics.
Antistatic spray. If you spray some antistatic spray of your clothes, it can make lint easier to collect from your garments.
How to prevent lint on clothes in a washing machine
If you’ve had difficulties with lint before, there are steps you can take to prevent lint from forming on your clothes while washing.
Wash inside out. Turn your clothes inside out before you toss them in your washer to keep lint contained as much as possible. Use quality detergents, like Ariel Matic 4-in-1 PODS® for the best results.
Wash separately. If you know you have a piece of clothing that’s likely to shred or attract lint, wash them separately from other garments. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll have to sort by colours and fabric, too!
Check pockets. A rogue tissue can easily wreak havoc in your washing machine, so check all the pockets before starting your washer.