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The best things to put in the dryer to help remove lint are dryer balls, a dryer sheet, or a clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth. These items can reduce static, loosen lint, and help collect loose fibers during the cycle.
However, nothing you add to the drum will work well if the lint screen is clogged, the dryer is packed too tightly, or lint-heavy towels are mixed with dark clothing. Good sorting and the right dryer setting often make a bigger difference than any dryer accessory.
Best Things to Put in the Dryer for Lint
Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls tumble between clothes and bedding. This movement helps separate fabric, improve airflow, and loosen some lint and pet hair.
They are especially useful for:
- Sheets and duvet covers
- Towels
- Blankets
- Everyday clothing
- Loads that tend to twist together
Dryer balls also help reduce static for many fabrics, although they may not stop it completely during very dry weather.
Use the number recommended on the dryer ball product listing. A larger load usually needs more balls than a small load. Replace wool balls when they begin falling apart, losing their shape, or leaving fibers behind.
Wool dryer balls may not be suitable for households that avoid animal-based materials. Reusable plastic or silicone dryer balls are alternatives, but check the current product instructions before use.
A Dryer Sheet
Dryer sheets help reduce static. Static is one reason lint, hair, and small fibers cling to clothing after drying.
A dryer sheet can be helpful when drying:
- Synthetic shirts
- Polyester bedding
- Fleece blankets
- Dark clothing
- Mixed-fabric loads
Dryer sheets do not collect all the lint. They mainly make lint less likely to stick tightly to the fabric.
Some dryer sheets can leave a coating on fabric over time. This coating may affect the absorbency of towels or certain performance fabrics. Check the care label before using dryer sheets with towels, microfiber cleaning cloths, athletic clothing, or water-resistant bedding.
Never cover or rub the lint screen with a dryer sheet. Clean the screen normally according to the dryer manufacturer’s guidance.
A Slightly Damp Microfiber Cloth
A clean microfiber cloth that is only slightly damp can pick up loose lint during a short dryer cycle. It may also help with pet hair on clothing or bedding.
To use one:
- Wet a clean microfiber cloth with plain water.
- Wring it out very well.
- Add it to the dryer with the linty items.
- Run a short air-only or low-heat cycle.
- Remove the load as soon as the cycle ends.
The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet. Do not add cleaning sprays, fabric sprays, oils, or household chemicals to it.
Microfiber cloths can shed or collect residue if they have been washed with towels or fabric softener. Use a clean cloth that has not been used with grease, wax, polish, or strong cleaning products.
Check both the fabric care labels and the dryer manual before using this method.
Reusable Lint-Catching Dryer Accessories
Some reusable dryer products are made to catch pet hair, fuzz, or loose fibers. They may be shaped like soft discs, balls, or textured pads.
Results vary by fabric and load type. These products tend to work better when:
- The dryer is not overloaded
- The lint screen is clean
- The load has enough room to tumble
- Clothing is dry rather than packed into a wet clump
Always follow the current product instructions. Some lint-catching accessories are intended for washing machines, not dryers. Others may have heat limits.
Do not assume an item is dryer-safe just because it is sold as a laundry accessory.
The Most Effective Dryer Method for Removing Lint
For clothing or bedding that is already dry but covered in lint, use an air-only or air-fluff cycle.
Place the linty items in the dryer with wool dryer balls or a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Run the dryer for about 10 minutes, or follow the dryer’s recommended air-fluff setting.
The tumbling action loosens lint without adding unnecessary heat. Loose fibers should move toward the lint screen.
After the cycle:
- Remove the items promptly.
- Clean the lint screen.
- Shake each item out.
- Use a lint roller on any remaining patches.
This works well for black clothes, pet bedding, guest-room blankets, and sheets that picked up fuzz in the closet.
Do not use heat on an item unless its care label allows machine drying.
Clean the Lint Screen First
The lint screen is the dryer’s main lint collector. No dryer ball or laundry accessory can replace it.
Clean the lint screen before or after every load according to the appliance instructions. A screen covered in lint reduces airflow and may allow more fuzz to remain on clothing.
To clean it:
- Remove the lint screen.
- Pull off the visible lint with your fingers.
- Check the edges and the slot around the screen.
- Return the screen securely before running the dryer.
Some dryer screens can develop a coating from fabric softener or laundry products. If the manufacturer permits washing the screen, clean it using the recommended method and allow it to dry fully before replacing it.
Do not reach deep into the dryer with tools unless the dryer instructions say it is safe. Arrange professional servicing if lint is building up in areas you cannot safely access.
Do Not Overload the Dryer
Lint comes off fabric as items tumble. If the drum is packed too tightly, clothing cannot move freely. Lint and pet hair may stay trapped between layers.
Bedding loads are easy to overload because sheets and duvet covers wrap around smaller items. Dry large bedding pieces separately when possible.
A dryer load should have room to lift and fall. If the drum looks stuffed before the cycle begins, divide the load.
This is especially important for:
- King-size sheets
- Thick blankets
- Mattress pads
- Bulky pet bedding
- Towels
- Fleece throws
A smaller load often comes out with less lint, fewer damp spots, and fewer twisted sheets.
Sort Lint Makers from Lint Collectors
Some fabrics release lint. Others attract it.
Common lint makers include:
- New towels
- Cotton washcloths
- Fleece blankets
- Flannel
- Chenille
- Some bath mats
- Worn cotton items
Common lint collectors include:
- Black clothing
- Leggings
- Polyester sheets
- Microfiber bedding
- Corduroy
- Stretch fabrics
- Smooth synthetic shirts
Do not dry new towels with dark clothes or smooth bedding. The towels may release loose fibers for several wash and dry cycles.
Keep pet blankets separate from clothing when possible. A dedicated pet-bedding load prevents hair from spreading to sheets, pajamas, and guest-room linens.
Sorting may feel like extra work, but it is usually more effective than adding several products to the dryer.
Shake Items Before Putting Them in the Dryer
Shake clothing, sheets, and blankets before placing them in the dryer. This separates folded fabric and releases loose lint.
For bedding, open each piece fully. Do not place a rolled-up fitted sheet or twisted duvet cover into the dryer.
When drying sheets:
The best things to put in the dryer to help remove lint are dryer balls, a dryer sheet, or a clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth; learn which fabrics tend to pill most and why fiber length, yarn twist, surface texture, blends, friction, washing, and wear affect pilling risk.
- Untangle them after washing
- Check that small items are not trapped inside
- Load the dryer loosely
- Pause the cycle to separate them if needed
This simple step improves airflow and gives lint a better chance of reaching the screen.
Use the Right Dryer Setting
Too much heat can increase static, especially with synthetic fabric. Static makes lint and pet hair cling more strongly.
Use the lowest heat setting that safely dries the fabric. An air-only setting is often enough when the goal is simply to remove surface lint from already-dry items.
Remove clothing promptly when the cycle ends. Leaving synthetic items tumbling long after they are dry can make static worse.
Always follow the care label. Some blankets, mattress protectors, pillow covers, and comforters should be dried on low heat or air-dried. Others may not be suitable for a home dryer.
What Not to Put in the Dryer
Aluminum Foil Balls
Balls of aluminum foil are sometimes suggested as a homemade static treatment. They may have sharp edges, become misshapen, or snag delicate fabric.
A dryer accessory made for laundry is the safer practical choice. Follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions rather than relying on a household-material hack.
Cleaning Sponges
Do not add a household cleaning sponge to collect lint. Sponges may contain soap, grease, cleaning chemicals, or materials that are not intended for dryer heat.
Even a new sponge may break apart or leave debris in the load.
Wet Towels in a Dry Load
A slightly damp microfiber cloth may help with a short lint-removal cycle, but a soaking-wet towel is different. It can add too much moisture, extend drying time, and leave the load unevenly damp.
Wring out any cloth thoroughly and use only a short cycle.
Scent Beads or Loose Laundry Products
Do not pour scent beads, powdered products, baking soda, or loose fabric treatments directly into the dryer drum unless the product label specifically says they are dryer-safe.
Products made for the washing machine may melt, stain fabric, damage surfaces, or leave residue when used in a dryer.
Essential Oils
Do not place essential oils directly on dryer balls, cloths, sheets, or bedding unless both the dryer manufacturer and product instructions clearly permit it.
Oils may stain fabric and are not needed for lint removal.
Plastic Household Items
Do not improvise with plastic brushes, mesh scrubbers, plastic bags, or toys. Heat can damage materials that were not designed for tumble drying.
Only use accessories specifically labeled for use in a dryer.
Tennis Balls Without Checking Instructions
Tennis balls are sometimes used when drying bulky bedding, but they can release odor, dye, or rubber residue. They are not necessary for ordinary lint removal.
For comforters, pillows, or down-filled items, follow the item’s care label. Use only dryer accessories recommended by the bedding manufacturer.
How to Remove Pet Hair in the Dryer
The dryer can loosen pet hair, but it works best as part of a simple routine.
For washable clothing or bedding:
- Shake the item outdoors or over an easy-to-clean floor.
- Place it in the dryer while it is still dry.
- Add dryer balls or a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
- Run an air-only cycle for about 10 minutes.
- Clean the lint screen.
- Wash the item according to its care label.
- Dry it separately from hair-free laundry.
The first air-only cycle removes loose hair before water causes it to stick to the fabric in the washer.
For heavily covered pet beds, remove as much hair as possible with a vacuum, rubber glove, lint roller, or suitable brush before laundering.
Check the pet-bed care label. Foam inserts and some waterproof liners should not go in a dryer.
How to Keep Lint Off Bedding
Lint can be especially noticeable on solid dark sheets, smooth comforter covers, and synthetic blankets.
To reduce it:
- Wash towels separately from sheets
- Keep fuzzy blankets away from smooth bedding
- Turn duvet covers inside out before washing
- Fasten duvet-cover buttons or zippers
- Avoid overloading the washer and dryer
- Clean the lint screen before drying bedding
- Use dryer balls to keep large pieces moving
- Remove bedding promptly after drying
If you have a pet that sleeps on the bed, place a washable throw over the pet’s usual sleeping spot. It is easier to clean one small throw than an entire comforter every few days.
Choose a tightly woven, smooth throw rather than a loose, fluffy fabric that traps hair.
Why Clothes May Still Have Lint After Drying
A small amount of lint is normal, especially with new cotton fabric. Heavy lint buildup may point to a laundry habit or appliance issue.
Common causes include:
New Towels or Blankets
New cotton towels and fuzzy blankets may release loose fibers during early washes. Dry them separately until shedding decreases.
Tissue Left in a Pocket
A washed tissue can cover an entire load with white pieces. Let the clothes dry, shake them out, and run a short air-only dryer cycle. Finish with a lint roller if needed.
Check every pocket before washing.
Too Much Laundry in One Load
Large loads prevent proper rinsing and tumbling. Detergent residue, hair, and lint may remain trapped in folds.
Split the load and rewash it if necessary, following the laundry product directions.
Too Much Detergent
Using more detergent than directed does not always make fabric cleaner. Excess product may leave residue that catches lint.
Use the amount recommended for the load size, water conditions, and washer type.
Static Buildup
Synthetic fabrics often build static when overdried. Lower heat, a shorter cycle, dryer balls, or a dryer sheet may help.
A Full or Blocked Lint System
If the lint screen fills unusually quickly, clothes take much longer to dry, or lint appears around the appliance, check the dryer instructions. The lint screen, exhaust vent, or internal airflow path may need attention.
Do not continue using an appliance that appears damaged or is not working normally. Follow the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guidance or contact a qualified appliance professional.
A Simple Beginner-Friendly Lint Routine
You do not need several special laundry products. Start with this routine:
- Sort towels, fleece, pet bedding, and dark clothes into separate loads.
- Shake items before placing them in the dryer.
- Clean the lint screen.
- Add dryer balls if the care labels allow tumble drying.
- Leave enough space for the items to move.
- Use low heat or the care-label setting.
- Remove the load as soon as it is dry.
- Clean the lint screen again.
For stubborn lint, run the dry item through a brief air-only cycle with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Then use a lint roller for the last few patches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing to put in the dryer to collect lint?
A clean, slightly damp microfiber cloth can collect some loose lint during a short air-only or low-heat cycle. Wool dryer balls may also loosen lint by separating the fabric. The dryer’s lint screen remains the main lint collector and should be cleaned regularly.
Do dryer balls remove lint?
Dryer balls can help loosen lint, hair, and fibers by keeping items separated as they tumble. They do not trap every piece of lint. They work best in a loosely filled dryer with a clean lint screen.
Do dryer sheets help remove lint?
Dryer sheets reduce static, which can make lint easier to release from fabric. They do not work like a lint roller, and they may leave residue on towels or certain fabrics. Check the care label before using them.
Can I put a damp cloth in the dryer to remove lint?
A clean microfiber cloth that has been dampened and wrung out very well may help collect lint in a short cycle. Do not use a dripping-wet cloth or one containing cleaning chemicals. Check the appliance manual and fabric care labels first.
Will an air-fluff cycle remove lint?
An air-fluff cycle can loosen surface lint and pet hair from dry clothing or bedding. Run the cycle briefly, clean the lint screen afterward, and use a lint roller for any remaining lint.
How do I remove tissue lint from clothes in the dryer?
Let the clothes dry, shake them out, and run them through a short air-only cycle with dryer balls or a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Clean the lint screen during or after the cycle if it becomes full.
Why are my black clothes covered in lint after drying?
Black clothing often collects lint from towels, fleece, flannel, and other shedding fabrics. Dry black clothes separately, avoid overloading the drum, use lower heat to reduce static, and clean the lint screen before starting.
Can I put aluminum foil in the dryer for lint?
Aluminum foil is not needed for lint removal and may develop rough edges that snag fabric. Use dryer accessories made for laundry and follow the dryer manufacturer’s instructions instead.
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