How to keep clothes lint-free in the washing machine

Washing machines are quite adept at washing clothes and are, in fact, capable of removing lint from them as well. Almost all washing machines come with a lint filter in which lint is gathered, as a big chunk of lint is eliminated during a regular wash cycle.

However, sometimes this process can fail or not work as expected. Here’s what you need to know to get lint off clothes.

How to get lint off clothes using your washing machine

Lint is generally produced when fabrics rub against each other, and the threads start balling up. The idea behind reducing lint is to reduce this friction and minimise lint generation.

To achieve this, one of the simplest things you can do is to simply separate clothes by fabric type before washing them. This mitigates issues caused by, say, a stronger fibre causing lint generation on a weaker one.

It also helps to turn clothes inside out as lint won’t be generated on the outer surface. Any abrasive surface, such as a zipper or button, should ideally be fastened or sealed to prevent damage. Fabric softeners can also help reduce lint generation.

We’d also recommend investing in mesh laundry bags when washing particularly delicate items such as innerware and lace. A lint roller is also useful to have on hand when dealing with particularly stubborn lint or when needing to spruce oneself up a bit before stepping out.

You also want to ensure that your washing machine isn’t overloaded. Clothes should have some free space to move so as to reduce friction and high-intensity rubbing.

ALSO READ: How to keep your laundry fresh during the monsoon season

Lastly, make sure that your washing machine is regularly maintained, and more importantly, that the lint filters are cleaned regularly.

The filter’s location and cleaning process vary by manufacturer, but the process is usually straightforward, and details can be found on the manufacturer’s website and your device’s user manual. If you’re unsure how to clean it, you can also ask for a technician to clean it for you and show you how it’s done.

As you can see, getting fuzzies aka lint off your clothes is fairly simple and largely requires a few preventative steps to be taken to prevent lint generation.