How to choose a lint remover?

A common question we get is how to choose the right lint remover. Do I need a manual lint comb or a lint machine? The answer is hiding in your closet. Choosing the right buttonhole remover ultimately depends on the type of garment you are using.

If you have a lot of a certain type of garment, you may be able to get by with one button remover, but often several different ones may be preferable. For knitted sweaters, the combination of lint comb and clothes brush is perhaps best, while a plinth machine can work wonders on thin sweaters. In this post, we go through how to choose the right lint remover for different types of clothing, how to use them in practice, what lint is, and how you can prevent it from occurring.

Detangling with a razor might work on the woolen coat, but be fatal for your knitted sweaters!

WHAT IS LINT?

When short textile fibers and excess fibers in the fabric are rubbed, worn, and subjected to friction, they collect on the surface of the fabric in the form of bumps.

WHY SHOULD YOU REMOVE LINT FROM YOUR CLOTHES?

Huge amounts of clothes are thrown away every year because they look worn out. By unpicking your clothes, you extend the useful life of the clothes considerably while saving money and reducing the climate footprint. The clothes also look so much nicer, and if you choose to resell second-hand, you can get a higher price.

WHY DO SOME MATERIALS CREATE MORE LINT THAN OTHERS?

Many garments lint up after use, regardless of quality. But overall it can be said that fabrics containing acrylic, nylon, and cashmere that have short textile fibers pick up more. Fabrics such as cotton and lamb’s wool pick less. Straight textile fibers generally pick more than curly ones, and new garments generally pick more than old ones, because a new garment has more excess fibers. Most vulnerable are areas that are most exposed to friction, such as the side of the garment, the sleeves, and where the handbag hangs.

HOW TO AVOID LINT?

By brushing woolen garments with a good clothes brush regularly, you prevent pimples from appearing as often. Avoid clothing made from the synthetic material acrylic, which has short textile fibers and picks up very easily.

SHOULD CHOOSE A MANUAL OR MECHANICAL LINT REMOVER?

For delicate materials and hand-knitted garments you are particularly concerned about, first, try removing the nubs manually with a nub comb or a nub stone. If the garment is very fluffy, it can also be smart to pick manually as the picking machines otherwise cut the fibers. Manual removal is more time-consuming but you have more control.

A pilling machine is often suitable for most types of material but always avoid fluffy fabrics. If you have any thinner sweaters in mixed materials, a buttoning machine with a large cutting surface is very helpful, then you can button up a large number of clothes in a short time. Modern nub machines are also charged with a USB-C cable, so if the power runs out, just plug it in and keep working!

Remember that both manual and machine button removal wear the clothes a little. By brushing with a good clothes brush regularly, you prevent pimples from appearing as easily and you don’t have to remove pimples as often.

HOW TO USE A LINT REMOVER?

Remember not to pick if the garment has holes or loose threads. Larger holes may occur when pecking, so repair first. Here are our top tips for a successful result regardless of which pimple remover you use:

• spread the clean garment on a flat surface, such as an ironing board or kitchen table
• always try a little on the wrong side first
• hold the garment so that it stays still and does not allow it to wrinkle
• start lightly, and use more pressure if needed
• remember the edges of the hem and cuffs
• brush and steam to finish for a real professional finish!

LINT COMB / CASHMERE COMB

A lint comb removes lint from thinner knit sweaters and woolen fabrics. The lint comb is particularly suitable for cashmere.

Move the comb on the surface of the material parallel to the thread direction or loops. On knitted sweaters, it is easier when the garment is placed on a pillow. The soft base holds the knitting in place better and also reduces pressure. Combing is started by gently pressing and gradually increasing the pressure until the fluff starts to loosen. Gentle brushing is not enough to remove fluff. For example, cashmere knitwear may require more pressure than regular merino wool knitwear.

If you are unsure whether a wool comb is suitable for a material, try combing on the wrong side of the garment first. Please brush the garment with a quality clothes brush after picking for the best finish. Brushing causes the fibers to settle. Arkive Atelier comb is perfect for combining with clothes brush Kent CP6.

LINT STONE / PUMICE SWEATER STONE

A pumice stone is an effective tool for manually removing fluff from coarse and fluffy woolen fabrics. Noppsten is particularly suitable for thicker woolen fabrics, clothes that contain sheep’s wool, and mohair such as most knitted sweaters and woolen coats.

A lint stone works best by moving the stone on the surface of the knitting in the direction of the loops. Start lightly at first and increase pressure as needed until the lumps and bumps loosen. Finish by spraying the garment with water and brushing to smooth the roughened surface. A little stone dust always comes off the pumice stone during use, if you have just vacuumed it might be a good idea to use the pumice stone on a clean sheet that you can then shake off.

PILO NO2 LINT REMOVER

The Pilo No.2 Fabric Shaver works great on both clothes and home textiles, such as knitted garments, coats, scarves, socks, sofas, armrests, and blankets. It is very gentle but still effective. With its 6 razor blades and a larger nozzle, the new pioneer Pilo No.2 Fabric Shaver is the strongest and most effective burr remover on the market. You don’t need batteries, you can easily charge this nub machine with a USB-C cable. Use slow, circular motions over the garment.

HOPE THIS POST HELPED YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT LINT REMOVER!

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Read more about and buy your own complete clothing care set by clicking on this text. The clothing care set includes the lint comb, lint stone, and two clothes brushes that fit both thinner and thicker materials.