Buzz
To remove lint from your clothes, you can use household items like a rough sponge, a razor, or adhesive tape. Alternatively, you can use store-bought tools such as a sweater comb, an electric lint shaver, or a fabric stone. To prevent lint buildup, it's recommended to turn clothes inside out before washing them on a gentle cycle, then hang them to dry or lay them flat to air dry.
Steps
Remove Lint with Household Items
Use a rough sponge. Rubbing a rough sponge on your clothes can help lift off the lint fibers.
Trimming with scissors. Depending on the quantity and size of the fibers, you can use scissors to trim them. Lay the clothing flat, hold each fiber with one hand, and trim with the other. Alternatively, you can insert your hand inside the garment to stretch the fabric and carefully trim the fibers.
- Try to keep the scissors close to the fabric surface. Trim gently and slowly to avoid damaging the fabric threads.
- Using small nail scissors is safer. These scissors are typically duller and more precise, which reduces the risk of harming the fabric threads.
Using a razor blade. Use a disposable razor and place the garment flat. Stretch the fabric around the fiber area to avoid cutting into the fabric. Gently shave the fibers in small strokes from the bottom up. Start gently, then apply more pressure as necessary.
- After gathering a pile of fibers, you can use tape to lift them off the fabric. Wrap a strip of tape around your fingers, press it onto the fabric, and lift the fibers. Replace the tape once it’s covered in fibers. If you don’t have packing tape, small strips of masking tape will also work.
- Use a fresh, sharp razor. A new and sharp razor will effectively remove the fibers. Avoid razors with moisturizing strips or soap bars on the sides, as they tend to create more fibers when used on the fabric.
Using a hair curler. A hair curler is light, making it the perfect tool for delicate fabrics like wool and Cashmere. Lay the garment flat and stretch it. Place the curler over the fiber areas. Gently roll it from the bottom up and from the inside out until the fibers are gone. The fibers will stick to the curler. Remove them and move to other areas if the fabric has fibers in multiple spots.
Using adhesive tape. If available, you can use adhesive tape to remove the fibers. Consider using tape from shoes or wallets. Press the sticky side of the tape onto the fiber area. Gently pull the tape off and repeat until all fibers are removed.
- This method may damage very delicate fabrics, so avoid using it on Cashmere or wool fabrics.
Purchase a tool to remove fibers from clothing.
Buy a wool comb. A wool comb is a small-toothed, delicate comb designed specifically for removing fabric pills. This type of comb is different from a hair comb because its teeth are finer and closer together. Gently stretch the fabric and run the comb over the pilled areas, being careful not to damage the fibers.
Use an electric fabric shaver. Electric fabric shavers are more expensive than other tools but are the fastest and most effective. Insert batteries into the device, lay the garment flat, and move the shaver in small, circular motions over the fabric. Start gently and increase the intensity if necessary. Continue until the pills are gone. The lint will accumulate in the shaver's container, which you can empty once it's full.
Try using a stone to scrape off fabric pills. A fabric pill stone is specially designed for removing lint from wool garments. First, lay the clothing flat and stretch it out. Gently rub the stone over the pilled areas, moving along the fabric's grain. Use tape or your fingers to remove the pills as they gather.
Prevent the formation of fabric pills
Buy fabric that resists pilling. Fabrics made from blended fibers are more prone to pilling. Blended fibers combine natural and synthetic materials, which can cause friction and lead to pills. Fabrics made from more than three different types of fibers are the most susceptible to pilling.
Look for neatly knitted woolen clothes. Before purchasing, inspect woolen garments carefully. Well-knit wool is less likely to shed fibers, while loosely woven wool tends to shed more easily.
Turn clothes inside out. Always turn clothes inside out before washing. This prevents fibers from becoming more visible due to friction between the fabric and other items in the wash. You can also turn your clothes inside out before hanging or folding them.
Wash gently. Choose a gentle wash cycle when using a machine. A gentle wash cycle is shorter and less intense, causing less wear and tear on the clothes.
- Consider hand washing delicate woolen items. This is the gentlest method. You can find hand-wash detergents designed for this, and wash the clothes in a basin or bathtub.
Avoid using an electric dryer. Whenever possible, hang your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer. This helps preserve the fibers and reduces wear that leads to shedding.
Use liquid detergent. Powdered detergent can rub against the fabric fibers, causing them to break and shed during the wash. Liquid detergent is the gentlest solution for delicate fabrics.
Use a lint roller regularly on clothes. Be sure to use a lint roller or a dusting brush on delicate garments to prevent fiber buildup. Regularly using a lint roller will help keep fibers from accumulating on your clothes.
