9 Ways to Get Rid of Lint on Clothes, According to Laundry Pros

You can finally bid adieu to this pesky problem.

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One of the peskiest issues with laundry is lint. Constantly having to remove it is kind of a nuisance—and it's even worse when you can't find (or just don't have!) a lint brush or roller. If you’re tired of picking lint off your favorite sweater—or battling static and lint on your clothes and linens—it’s time to fight back.

With these simple tips from laundry experts, you can remove lint from your clothing and say so long to the piles of fuzz. Here are their best techniques for getting rid of lint from clothes if you don't have a lint brush or roller.

A fabric shaver is an electronic device designed to remove lint, piling, and fuzz from many types of fabrics, including cotton, wool, and polyester. Some materials are too delicate to handle fabric shavers, so it’s important to test a small patch of fabric to ensure it can withstand the device.

“For more stubborn lint or pilling, a fabric shaver can be an excellent tool,” says Tom Ceconi, CEO of Heritage Park Laundry. “Simply glide it gently over the fabric in circular motions. Be sure to test on a small area first, particularly with delicate fabrics, to ensure there’s no damage.”

A cheap razor (yes, like the kind you shave with!) can be used for lint or stubborn pilling. Pass the blade very carefully over the fabric. Similar to how you'd handle a fabric shaver, try not to go overboard or you'll ruin the material and never use it on delicates.

If you’re in a pinch, try duct tape or other wide packaging tape. You can wrap the tape with the sticky side out around your hand and then put your hand on linty areas of material to remove the lint.

“This may sound unconventional, but using a strip of duct tape to gently pat your clothing can effectively pick up any lint or fuzz,” says Logan Taylor, interior designer and cleaning expert at Dazzle Cleaning Company in Seattle. “Just make sure to use a clean strip each time so you’re not transferring lint back onto your clothes.”

“Another effective approach is adding half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing clothes,” Ceconi says. “The vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener that helps release lint from the fabric, making it particularly useful for high-lint items like towels.”

To harness white vinegar's anti-lint properties, add it to the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine during the rinse cycle. Vinegar is especially helpful for reducing lint and static in towels and sweaters.

Another natural method of preventing lint on your clothes is to hang dry them. Alternatively, you can use the dryer to lightly dry your clothes and then let them air dry until they are completely dry.

“Hang drying clothes, whenever possible, can also help reduce static buildup, which attracts lint,” Ceconi says. “If a dryer is used, removing items while they are still slightly damp and letting them air dry the rest of the way can minimize friction that generates lint.”

Lint comes from fabric broken down from washing, drying, or wear. The small, fuzzy fibers separate from the rest of the material due to friction, causing a buildup of fluff and piling.

Another DIY technique to remove lint is to wipe material with a damp sponge. Wet the sponge and wring it out before wiping linty areas with it. The moisture helps pull the lint from the fabric.

“Use a clean, slightly damp sponge and gently rub it over the fabric surface,” says Sam Yousif, owner of St George’s Laundry. “Use a soft side of the sponge, not the abrasive side, especially on delicate fabrics. Wipe in one direction for best results and avoid overwetting the fabric.”

Static electricity can cause fibers of material to cling together, forming lint and pilling. An anti-static spray helps prevent this issue, reducing lint on clothing.

“I love using anti-static spray on my clothes before wearing them,” Taylor says. “Not only does it help prevent lint from sticking, but it also helps reduce static cling. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the product and not overspray as it can leave residue.”

Dryer sheets soften fabric and remove lint, making them useful tools for clothing. To get rid of lint, rub the fabric with a dryer sheet as if it were a lint roller, keeping the motion in one direction.

“Rub a fresh dryer sheet over the fabric to reduce static cling and remove lint,” Yousif says. “It works particularly well for more delicate clothing that attracts lint, such as polyester or synthetics." Bonus: Dryer sheets also impart a pleasant smell to the garment and reduce future static buildup.

Another technique for removing lint is to go over the fabric with damp rubber gloves. This creates static, which pulls lint from clothing.

“One of our favorite and less obvious methods of removing lint is with a pair of rubber gloves,” says Yousif. “Put on rubber gloves and rub them over the surface of the fabric. The friction will create static, lifting lint from the material. Dampening the gloves can improve results. Use small circular motions to gather lint into clumps before picking it off.”