Why Is There Lint on Your Clothes After Washing? 4 Reasons

Lint is nearly inevitable when you’re washing and drying laundry, but it’s supposed to be caught in a lint trap. If you notice lint on your clothing after it’s washed, there’s an issue. Most washers and dryers should take care of this problem, but thankfully, there are plenty of solutions.

There is lint on your clothes after washing them because the lint trap is filled, too many loose cotton items were washed together, the water pump has a filter clog, or the drainage tank has too many fibers inside. Linen, thin cotton, and similar materials are likely to attract lint after washing.

In this post, we’ll talk about why your laundry has lint on it after washing or drying, how you can prevent it from happening, and what you can do to remove the lint. We’ll also show you why some washers have lint traps since many people forget to check them.

Quick Suggestion: New laundry machines are much more efficient when it comes to removing lint from the clothes, but you can use various laundry lint catchers to quickly and effectively take care of it. Why use a lint roller when you can take care of the problem without lifting a finger?

Why Is Your Laundry Covered in Lint?

Your laundry might be covered in line because there’s a clog somewhere in the system. Whether it’s a blocked vent, pump, filter, or trap, you’ll have to clear it out to prevent lint from getting all over your clothes. Fortunately, most of these are simple fixes, making it very easy for you to keep your laundry looking as good as new when you remove it from the washer and dryer.

Here are four reasons your laundry is covered in lint when you take it out of the washer:

1. If the lint trap is full, excess lint will build up on your clothing. Perhaps the most common explanation for lint-covered laundry is a clogged lint trap. Some washer machines have a lint trap, but every dryer is nearly guaranteed to have one. Too much lint in the trap can prevent your clothes from getting clean, lead to mildew, and invite fire hazards.
2. A clogged water pump prevents lint from filtering through the washing machine. The water is designed to push and pull water through the laundry, cleaning it in the process. However, The Spruce explains the pump is prone to getting covered in debris. If you don’t remove it from time to time, you’re bound to have all sorts of laundry-related issues.
3. Loose or new cotton items shed much more lint, leaving some of it on your laundry. Since microfiber is lint-free, you can use it to remove excess debris. However, the goal is to prevent it from showing up in the first place. If you’re washing a bunch of new cotton or linen clothes, keep your other clothing out of the washer and dryer.
4. Septic or drainage tanks sometimes need filters or cleanings to prevent them from putting debris on your clothes. Many laundry machines rely on a built-in tank to store or remove water. If this tank gets loaded with lint, you’ll notice it sometimes either doesn’t clean your clothes properly or pours lint on future laundry cycles.

In most cases, too much lint is often caused by one of the issues. While some of them can be DIY repairs, a handful will require professional assistance. Check your laundry machine’s warranty to find out if any of these problems are covered. Then, head to the next section to learn how you can prevent lint from shedding on your clothes in the washer.

How Do You Prevent Lint on Clothes After Washing?

The good news is you don’t have to deal with lint much longer. Whether you have an old-school set of laundry machines or a brand-new setup, there are several steps you can take to keep your clothes feeling and looking great.

So, how do you prevent lint on your clothes after washing?

• Always clean the lint trap and other filters after every time you use the washer and dryer. It might seem tedious, but cleaning the lint trap regularly will save you time, money, and headaches. Lint is incredibly destructive to your clothing and dryer, and it can lead to issues that end up ruining your laundry machines. Locate the lint trap in the manual and remove it each time.
• Turn your clothes inside out to prevent dye and lint from leaching. Moms.com recommends turning your clothes inside out to preserve them and reduce the lint. If your clothes shed too much, they’ll become discolored and much thinner, making them less durable.
• Use fabric softener to keep the lint from falling off too much. You can use the dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener to get the job done. A fabric softener is an essential part of washing and drying clothes prone to lint. However, make sure you check your clothes’ labels since some brands instruct you to stay away from these softeners.
• Check the dryer vent every couple of weeks to ensure there’s no lint or debris blocking it. Dryer vents get rid of excess warm air, lint, and debris that would otherwise clog your laundry machine. Most of them are efficient, but if you don’t clean them every so often, they can send lint back into the dryer.
• Consider using cold water as often as possible; It’s less likely to loosen the clothing and shed lint. Hot water is known to cause lint to build up because it’s bad for cotton and linen fabrics. Cold water keeps your clothes looking as they should with the added benefit of not losing their colors.

Lint is gross, annoying, and it takes away from the appearance of your clothes. It can make a nice outfit look old and worn. These preventative steps are more than necessary if you want to get the most out of your washer and dryer.

Do All Washers Have Lint Traps?

Most of us think of lint traps in the bottom, sides, or top of a dryer. However, many washers have lint traps, too. Not all washers have a lint collector, but the ones that do keep your dryer from overloading with lint and your clothes from getting too covered in debris.

Below, we’ll show you what you should know about washers with lint traps.

High-Quality Washing Machines Don’t Need Lint Traps

According to Mr. Appliance, many high-end laundry machines don’t have lint traps because they prevent your clothes from shedding. Instead of cleaning the lint trap after each cycle, you can rest assured that your clothes are fresh and good to go. Keep in mind that efficient washing machines usually cost quite a bit more than traditional models, though.

Where Is Your Washer’s Lint Trap?

Your washing machine’s lint trap is typically found in the center or bottom of the unit. Find your user’s manual to know exactly where it it. Most lint traps found in washers are significantly smaller than dryers, which is why a lot of users don’t know if they have one.

Can You Get a Replacement Lint Collector?

While you can always order a new lint trap or collector from the manufacturer, the SUNHE Lint Traps are easier to use and fit almost any washer. Stretch them out and tie them with the provided zip ties to remove excess lint and keep your clothes in top shape. When they’re full, toss one out and reach for another in the 40-pack.

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Wrapping It Up

Now that you know why your laundry has a ton of lint on it after you washed it, you can keep it from happening. It can be quite frustrating to wash your clothes, only to find out they look terrible and feel itchy or gross. Following the suggestions throughout this article will stop your washer and dryer from dropping lint and other debris on your clothes.