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A lint roller is usually the easiest way to remove lint from a blanket. For heavier buildup, you can use wide sticky tape, a damp rubber glove, a clothes brush, or a fabric shaver. The best choice depends on whether the blanket has loose lint, pet hair, or small fabric pills.
Always check the blanket’s care label before washing, drying, brushing, or using heat. Delicate, loosely woven, and fuzzy blankets can be damaged by rough treatment.
First, Check What Is Stuck to the Blanket
“Lint” can mean several different things. Choosing the right tool will make the job easier.
- Loose lint: Small fibers sitting on the blanket’s surface.
- Pet hair: Longer hairs that may cling through static.
- Pills: Small balls of tangled fabric attached to the blanket.
- Tissue pieces: White bits left after a tissue was washed with the blanket.
- Shedding fibers: Fluff coming from the blanket itself.
A lint roller works well for loose material. A fabric shaver is better for pills. If the blanket keeps producing new fuzz, it may be shedding rather than collecting outside lint.
Use a Lint Roller for Light Buildup
Lay the blanket flat on a bed, table, or clean floor. Roll the lint roller over the surface using short, gentle strokes.
Replace the sticky sheet when it stops picking up lint. Work in sections so you do not miss any areas.
A lint roller is useful for:
- Small fleece throws
- Guest-room blankets
- Pet hair on the top surface
- Quick cleanup before folding a blanket
- Blankets that cannot be washed right away
Do not press too hard on loose knits. The roller may pull at loops or decorative threads.
Try Wide Sticky Tape
Wide packing tape or strong household tape can work when you do not have a lint roller.
Wrap the tape around your hand with the sticky side facing out. Pat the blanket instead of dragging the tape across it. Replace the tape when it fills with lint.
Test the tape on a hidden corner first. Very sticky tape may pull fibers from fuzzy, brushed, or loosely woven blankets.
Avoid using tape on:
- Open-knit blankets
- Blankets with fringe
- Delicate wool
- Loose decorative stitching
- Old blankets with weak fibers
Use a Damp Rubber Glove for Pet Hair
A slightly damp rubber cleaning glove can collect pet hair without adding more sticky material.
Put on the glove and lightly wipe the blanket in one direction. The hair should gather into small clumps that you can pick up by hand.
Keep the glove only slightly damp. A wet glove may leave water marks on some fabrics.
This method is helpful for pet-friendly homes because it can cover a larger area than a small lint roller. It also works well on couch throws and blankets used in pet beds.
Brush the Blanket With a Clothes Brush
A clothes brush can loosen surface lint and hair. Brush gently in one direction rather than scrubbing back and forth.
Use a soft brush for delicate blankets. A firmer brush may be suitable for sturdy woven blankets, but test it first.
Do not use a stiff cleaning brush. Hard bristles can roughen the surface and create more fuzz.
Use a Fabric Shaver for Pills
A fabric shaver removes pills, which are the small fabric balls that stay attached to the blanket. A lint roller will not usually remove them.
Spread the blanket on a flat, firm surface. Pull the fabric smooth and move the shaver slowly over one small section at a time. Use light pressure.
Keep the shaver away from:
- Seams
- Loose threads
- Fringe
- Embroidery
- Raised patterns
- Thin or worn spots
Never use a fabric shaver while holding the blanket loosely in the air. The fabric can bunch up and catch in the cutting area.
A sweater comb may also remove pills from some sturdy blankets. Check the product guidance to see which fabrics it is meant for.
Put the Blanket in the Dryer Only When the Care Label Allows It
Some blankets can be placed in a dryer for a short air-only or low-heat cycle to loosen lint. The moving air may send loose fibers into the lint filter.
Check the care label first. Some blankets should not be tumble dried, even without much heat.
Clean the dryer lint filter before and after the cycle. Dry the blanket by itself so it does not collect lint from towels, clothing, or other bedding.
Dryer balls may help move the blanket around, but they can be too rough for delicate fabrics. Follow the blanket’s care label and the dryer-ball manufacturer’s guidance.
How to Remove Tissue Lint After Washing
A forgotten tissue can leave hundreds of white pieces across a blanket. Do not immediately wash the blanket again with more laundry.
Learn how to remove blanket pilling with a fabric shaver, comb, or careful trimming, plus washing and friction changes that may slow new pills from forming.
First, shake the blanket outdoors or over an easy-to-clean floor. Then use a lint roller, clothes brush, or slightly damp rubber glove to collect the remaining pieces.
When the care label permits, a dryer cycle may loosen leftover tissue lint. Clean the lint filter during the process if it becomes full.
Avoid brushing tissue pieces deeper into thick fleece or plush fabric. Use gentle, repeated passes instead.
How to Remove Lint From Different Blanket Materials
Fleece Blankets
Fleece tends to hold pet hair and small fibers. A lint roller, rubber glove, or soft clothes brush usually works well.
Wash fleece separately from lint-producing items such as cotton towels. Avoid high heat unless the care label specifically allows it. Too much heat can affect the surface.
Wool Blankets
Use a soft clothes brush or a tool made for wool. Work gently and follow the direction of the fabric.
Wool can be damaged by rough rubbing, strong tape, heat, or the wrong washing method. Check the care label before spot cleaning or washing.
Cotton Blankets
Many cotton blankets can be shaken, rolled, brushed, or washed according to their care label. However, loose cotton weaves can snag, so avoid aggressive scrubbing.
Wash cotton blankets separately from towels if lint transfer is a problem.
Sherpa and Plush Blankets
Long, fluffy fibers can trap lint deep in the surface. Start with a rubber glove or wide lint roller.
Avoid pressing a fabric shaver into plush fibers. It may cut the blanket’s pile, which is the raised fuzzy surface.
Knitted and Crocheted Blankets
Use your fingers, a soft brush, or gentle patting with a lint roller. Do not drag sticky tape across loose loops.
Place handmade blankets flat while working. This reduces stretching and helps you see loose threads.
Weighted Blankets
Check the manufacturer’s current care guidance before washing, drying, or using any powered tool. Weighted blankets may contain inner sections, stitching, or removable covers that need special care.
When possible, remove lint from the outer cover instead of working on the full blanket.
What Not to Use on a Blanket
Some common lint-removal tricks can damage bedding.
Avoid using:
- Razors or open blades
- Scissors for shaving large areas
- Stiff wire brushes
- Very strong adhesive
- High dryer heat without checking the label
- Rough scrubbing
- Bleach unless the care label allows it
A disposable razor may seem similar to a fabric shaver, but it is easier to cut the blanket or weaken the fabric. Use a tool designed for fabric instead.
How to Keep Blankets From Collecting So Much Lint
Wash blankets with similar fabrics. Towels, fuzzy robes, and some cotton items can release large amounts of lint.
Before washing:
- Empty clothing pockets.
- Fasten hook-and-loop closures.
- Turn shedding garments inside out.
- Remove pet hair with a roller or glove.
- Wash heavily lint-covered blankets separately.
Do not pack the washer too tightly. The blanket needs room to move and rinse. Check the current washer guidance for bulky bedding and load limits.
Use the wash cycle and water temperature listed on the care label. More detergent does not mean less lint. Too much detergent may leave residue that makes fibers feel coated.
Clean the washer and dryer filters as directed by the appliance manufacturer.
What to Do if the Blanket Itself Is Shedding
A new fuzzy blanket may release some loose fibers at first. Washing it according to the care label may remove part of the surface fluff.
Wash it separately so the fibers do not spread to sheets and clothing. Clean the washer drum, dryer filter, and nearby floor afterward if needed.
If shedding continues after normal care, check the current product listing or contact the manufacturer. Repeated brushing or shaving may make some blankets shed more.
A Simple Beginner-Friendly Method
For most blankets, start with the least aggressive option:
- Shake the blanket outdoors.
- Lay it flat.
- Use a lint roller for loose lint.
- Use a damp rubber glove for pet hair.
- Use a fabric shaver only for attached pills.
- Wash or dry the blanket only as the care label allows.
This approach works for everyday throws, guest-room blankets, dorm bedding, kids’ blankets, and pet-friendly homes without putting the fabric through unnecessary wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a lint roller on every type of blanket?
A lint roller is safe for many blankets, but it may pull at loose knits, fringe, or delicate fibers. Test it on a hidden area and use light pressure.
What removes pet hair from a blanket?
A lint roller or slightly damp rubber glove can remove surface pet hair. A soft clothes brush may also help. Wash the blanket according to its care label after removing as much loose hair as possible.
Will washing a blanket remove all the lint?
Washing can remove some lint, but it can also add lint if the blanket is washed with towels or shedding clothes. Wash it separately or with similar fabrics and follow the care label.
Can I use a razor to remove blanket pills?
A razor can cut or thin the fabric. A fabric shaver made for clothing and bedding is a safer choice, though it should still be used carefully on a flat surface.
Why does my blanket have lint after washing?
Lint may come from towels, tissues, clothing, or the blanket itself. Overloading the washer can also keep lint from rinsing away. Sort the load carefully and give bulky blankets enough room to move.
Can the dryer remove lint from a blanket?
A dryer may loosen surface lint when the blanket is safe to tumble dry. Check the care label and use the listed setting. Clean the lint filter before and after drying.
How do I remove lint without a lint roller?
Try wide tape, a soft clothes brush, or a slightly damp rubber glove. Pat or wipe gently instead of scrubbing the blanket.
What is the difference between lint and pilling?
Lint is loose material sitting on the surface. Pilling is made of small fabric balls that remain attached. Use a lint roller for lint and a fabric shaver for pills.
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