Why You Really Don't Need A Lint Roller Anymore

Putting on your favorite black pants just to realize that everyone standing near you can see just how much your pet loves you probably isn't the fashion fate you had in mind when you picked out your outfit. For many, lint rollers are the unsung hero of removing fuzz and fur. You can use it on anything from clothes to lamp shades to furniture. Despite their many benefits, lint rollers are far from perfect. Lint rollers may quietly damage some fabrics, and if you don't opt for a reusable one, you may end up with a lot of waste on your hands. There are various replacements for lint rollers that you might already own, so you really don't need a lint roller anymore. 

A typical disposable lint roller employs an adhesive sheet to grab onto small debris, whether that's lint, fuzz, fur, or even small crumbs. While helpful for heavy lifting, that adhesive doesn't always remain strictly on the roller. Instead, some may be left behind on your clothes, and for delicate textiles, that can present a risk to the garment's longevity or lead to other problems over time. Also, many disposable lint rollers aren't recyclable, and if you're relying on one every day to ensure your outfit stays candid-ready, those sheets add up over time.  Here are some alternatives to help you say goodbye to clingy pet hair while being gentler on fabrics and the environment.

One of the best ways to keep lint off your clothes without using a lint roller is to reduce the clinging before it happens. After all, while you could sit there and remove lint from all your clothes, a few helpful laundry tips for lint-free laundry can save you a lot of manual labor.

Start by washing your clothes inside-out on gentle cycles in small loads at a time. This helps reduce the amount of contact during a wash cycle that would otherwise lead to abrasion, which is what causes lint. You can also opt for reusable dryer sheets, wool balls (or even tennis balls) that reduce static electricity and capture stray lint before it sticks to your clothes.

What about when the lint has already made itself at home on your clothes? Believe it or not, there are ways to tackle that problem without the use of a lint roller. Tape works well but relies on the same adhesive mechanics as a lint roller, so you'll want to save this for clothes not made from sensitive materials, like wool or cashmere, or embellished with any fragile finishings. A simple rubber glove can also do the trick. The key is to dampen the glove lightly and rub affected areas of your clothing in one direction, with a smooth sweeping motion. This loosens and removes lint from your fabric without the use of any adhesive products.