How to Get Rid of Fluff on Clothes: A Repeatable Care Routine

Your clothes are covered in fluff and lint after every wash. You wash a black shirt and it comes out covered in white fuzz. Or your favorite sweater is pilling and covered in little balls of fluff. Fluff on clothes comes from fabric fibers that shed during washing, from mixing different fabric types, and from pet hair. It’s frustrating but can be removed and prevented with the right routine. Here’s how to get rid of fluff on clothes.

Fluff on clothes is loose fabric fibers, lint, or pet hair that clings to garment surfaces. Fluff comes from fabric shedding during washing, mixing different fabric types (which causes abrasion and shedding), and pet hair. Removing fluff requires physical removal (lint roller, dryer, or washing method) and prevention through proper sorting and washing.

To get rid of fluff on clothes, use a lint roller or tape to remove loose fluff, wash clothes inside out in cold water, sort by fabric type to prevent shedding, and use vinegar in the rinse. Don’t wash clothes with towels or blankets, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t overload the washer. For pilling, use a fabric shaver.

How to Remove Fluff from Clothes

Method 1: Lint Roller (Best for Loose Fluff)

Roll a lint roller over the garment to pick up loose fluff. If you don’t have a lint roller, wrap tape around your hand with the sticky side out and press onto the fluff.

Method 2: Dryer (Best for Washable Clothes)

Put the garment in the dryer on air fluff (no heat) for 10 minutes with a dryer sheet or wool dryer balls. The tumbling action removes fluff, which collects in the lint screen.

Method 3: Damp Sponge (Best for Stubborn Fluff)

Dampen a clean sponge and wipe it over the fluff in one direction. The fluff clumps together and can be picked off.

Method 4: Rubber Gloves (Best for Pet Hair and Fluff)

Put on a rubber glove and wipe it over the garment. The static electricity picks up fluff and pet hair.

Method 5: Fabric Shaver (Best for Pilling)

For pilling (small balls of fluff on the fabric surface), use a fabric shaver. It gently shaves off the pills without damaging the fabric.

Method 6: Washing Inside Out

Wash clothes inside out to reduce fluff transfer. The fluff collects on the inside instead of the outside.

Method 7: Vinegar in the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to reduce static, which attracts fluff.

How to Prevent Fluff on Clothes

Sort by Fabric Type

Don’t wash clothes that shed (towels, blankets, fleece) with clothes that attract fluff (dark colors, smooth fabrics). Sort into separate loads:

• Towels and bedding: separate load
• Fleece and sweatshirts: separate load
• Dark clothes: separate load
• Delicates: separate load

Wash Inside Out

Turn clothes inside out before washing. This reduces abrasion and shedding, and any fluff that does transfer collects on the inside.

Use Cold Water

Cold water reduces fabric shedding. Hot water can damage fibers and increase shedding.

Use the Gentle Cycle

The gentle cycle uses less agitation, which reduces fabric shedding and fluff transfer.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Overloading increases abrasion between clothes, which causes more shedding and fluff transfer.

Don’t Use Fabric Softener

Fabric softener coats fibers with a waxy film that can increase pilling and fluff. Use vinegar instead.

Use Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls reduce static and help remove fluff in the dryer. They’re a natural alternative to dryer sheets.

Clean the Lint Screen

Clean the lint screen before every dryer load. A full lint screen reduces drying efficiency and can transfer fluff back to clothes.

Use the Right Detergent

Use a gentle detergent like Tide Free and Gentle that doesn’t leave residue. Excess detergent can cause fluff to stick to clothes.

Add Baking Soda

Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash to soften water and reduce static.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly. A dirty machine can transfer fluff and lint to clothes.

Fluff Sources and Solutions

Fluff Source	Cause	Solution
Towels	Shedding cotton fibers	Wash separately
Fleece	Shedding synthetic fibers	Wash separately
Pet hair	Pet shedding	Use rubber glove or lint roller
Pilling	Fabric abrasion	Use fabric shaver
Dryer lint	Full lint screen	Clean before every load
Fabric softener	Waxy coating	Use vinegar instead

What Not to Do

Don’t wash clothes with towels. Towels shed heavily and cover everything in fluff.

Don’t use fabric softener. It increases pilling and fluff.

Don’t overload the washer. Overloading increases abrasion and shedding.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water damages fibers and increases shedding.

Don’t forget to clean the lint screen. A full screen transfers fluff back to clothes.

Don’t wash dark clothes inside out and then forget to shake them out. Fluff collects on the inside when you wash inside out, so shake out before wearing.

FAQ

How do you get rid of fluff on clothes? Use a lint roller or tape to remove loose fluff. Put the garment in the dryer on air fluff for 10 minutes. Wash clothes inside out in cold water. Sort by fabric type to prevent shedding. Use vinegar in the rinse to reduce static.

Why do clothes get fluff after washing? Clothes get fluff from fabric fibers that shed during washing, mixing different fabric types (which causes abrasion), pet hair, and a dirty lint screen. Sort by fabric type, wash inside out, and clean the lint screen to prevent fluff.

How do you prevent fluff on clothes? Sort by fabric type (don’t wash clothes with towels), wash inside out in cold water, use the gentle cycle, don’t overload, don’t use fabric softener (use vinegar instead), use wool dryer balls, and clean the lint screen before every load.

Does fabric softener cause fluff on clothes? Yes. Fabric softener coats fibers with a waxy film that can increase pilling and fluff. Use half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead.

How do you remove pilling from clothes? Use a fabric shaver to gently shave off the pills. Don’t pull them off by hand, as this can damage the fabric. To prevent pilling, wash inside out, use cold water, and don’t use fabric softener.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Lint from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Get Rid of Fluff on Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Lint and Fluff Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Whirlpool. “Laundry Tips.” whirlpool.com.