30.07.2024

Here’s how to prevent lint from remaining when washing clothes in the washing machine

By Lesia

When you hang up your clothes after washing them in the washing machine, you notice that they contain lint. This incident, which occurs frequently, can be avoided if measures are taken beforehand. We explain in our article how to eliminate this annoying inconvenience from the laundry.

Lint is small fabric fibers that separate from some washed clothes and stick to other fabrics. At the end of washing in the washing machine, the clothes do not really look clean. To get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to adopt certain washing measures to benefit from healthy and clean clothes.

How to avoid lint on clothes?
Certain garments, such as pure wool or wool and cotton sweaters, when washed frequently can produce little balls. These come off during the washing program and stick to other clothes, especially synthetic ones.

To avoid this inconvenience, it is recommended to follow these basic rules
Wash soft fabric clothes separately, even hand washing is recommended for this type of delicate garments or dry cleaning at the dry cleaners. If machine washing is unavoidable, it is recommended in this case to use the wool program for delicate clothes. The same goes for sheets, pillowcases and covers, which are particularly fragile.
Avoid washing light clothes with dark clothes or with colored clothes.
Turn the garment inside out before washing.
Activate a washing program as recommended on the garment label.
Air dry fabrics that may produce lint instead of putting them in the dryer to avoid aggravating this inconvenience.
man washing clothes
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A man washing clothes – Source: spm

However, it happens that even after taking these precautions, clothes may contain lint. In this case, avoid using too much detergent that gives that fluffy appearance to the surface of the fabric; the correct amount should be added, according to the instructions of the washing machine manufacturer. Likewise, you will need to use the right cleaner or a special detergent and in this case, it is more appropriate to use a liquid detergent that you can make yourself, rather than a powder one. Also, avoid overfilling the dryer drum. To do this, check the drying cycle table. Alternatively, you can invest in a machine designed to eliminate or minimize lint.

Clean the inside of the machine to avoid lint.
A washing machine that is not clean can leave lint on your clothes. It is recommended to keep this appliance for clean and fresh clothes. Keep in mind that bacteria, mold or detergent residues can clog the filter or rubber. Result: these residues stick to the most fragile fabrics. In addition, regular machine maintenance is essential to properly wash clothes and, at the same time, prolong the life of your washing machine.

laundry after washing
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Laundry after washing – Source: spm

clean the drum
For this, you can use a natural ingredient such as white vinegar. By virtue of its antibacterial and abrasive properties, white vinegar can remove residue from the drum while deodorizing the inside of the washing machine. To do this, simply pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum and activate the machine for a high-temperature vacuum wash. After the wash cycle is complete, wipe the drum with a cloth soaked in white vinegar and leave it open to dry properly. A wash cycle with baking soda can also clean and disinfect the drum.

Cleaning the rubber on the washing machine
To do this, mix three liters of water with one cup of hydrogen peroxide and a quarter cup of lemon juice. Soak a cloth in this mixture and wipe the rubber on the washing machine to remove traces of mold and debris. In addition to soapy water with dishwashing liquid, it can also be used to clean rubber

Cleaning the filter
This is the most important step of cleaning, as the filter can accumulate lime and dirt. To do this, unscrew the filter cap to remove it and use a soft-bristled brush to remove the accumulated lint on your clothes and dirt. Then, just rinse it with clean water and put it back by screwing the cap back on.

How to remove lint from your clothes?
There are tips to get rid of lint on clothes. You can use a lint remover or even anti-pilling razors. However, scissors should be banned as they can cause further damage. Also, tape can be a lifesaver in this case. Simply wrap the adhesive surface around your finger and rub the surface of the garment to be treated.