How to Remove Lint from Black Pants

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

Lint is the fuzz that is created from broken, loose threads in your clothing. Removing lint from your clothing can be a pain, especially if your clothing is black. To avoid having black clothing speckled with white or gray lint, you can use a lint roller on your clothing or remove the lint using objects and products you can find at home. You can also take steps to prevent lint from getting onto your black clothing so your garments appear clean, sleek, and professional.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Lint with Household Objects

1
Use scotch tape. You can use common household objects to remove lint, such as scotch tape or any other sticky, adhesive tape. Fold a piece of the tape over so it has two sticky sides and then put one sticky side on your finger. Use your finger to remove lint on your black clothing.^{[1]
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- If you are trying to remove lint on a large area of your clothing, you may try using sticky contact paper or adhesive drawer liners to remove the lint. Press and roll the paper on the clothing until the lint is removed.
2
Try running a pumice stone over your clothing. You can also remove lint by using a pumice stone. Traditionally used to get rid of dead skin on your feet, pumice stones can also work to remove lint on clothing. You can find pumice stones at your local drugstore or online.^{[2]
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- You may want to try the pumice stone on a small area of your black clothing to make sure it will not damage the fabric in any way. Materials like black silk or thin nylon may get snagged if you use a pumice stone on them.
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3
Remove the lint with a damp dryer sheet. A damp dryer sheet can often be an effective way to remove lint on your black clothing. Rub the damp dryer sheet over your clothing until the lint is removed. ^{[3]
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- Alternatively, you can use your dryer and a clean dryer sheet to remove lint on your clothing. Put the dryer on the “air only” setting and throw the clothing in the dryer with a clean dryer sheet. The clothing should come out lint-free.
4
Run the clothing through the washing machine. You can also try running the black clothing through the washer to remove lint. If the clothing is prone to shedding when washed, turn it inside out and wash it that way. If the clothing is covered in lint already, wash it right side out to remove the lint.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Lint Roller

1
Buy a lint roller. You can remove lint effectively from black clothing by using a lint roller. A lint roller is a product designed to remove lint by running a sticky paper or adhesive pad over the clothing. You can find a lint roller at your local drugstore or online.^{[5]
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- You may decide to buy a large lint roller that will cover a large surface area of your clothing so you can remove a lot of lint at once. You may also invest in smaller lint rollers that you can use when you are on the go to remove any small patches of lint you notice on your clothing.
2
Roll the lint roller over your black clothing. Once you have purchased a lint roller, you can use it on your clothing to get rid of any lint. Lay the black clothing on a flat, raised surface, such as a table. Then, roll the lint roller over the clothing in long strokes to remove the lint. Roll the lint roller over the clothing in sections so you can remove all the lint on the clothing.
- If there is a lot of lint on your black clothing, you may need to run the lint roller over your clothing several times. If the lint roller has a sticky paper on it, peel off the used paper so there is a fresh sticky paper on the roller that you can use to remove the lint.
3
Store the lint roller in an easy to find place. If your black clothing often gets lint on it, you may want to store the lint roller in a place that is easy to find or access. You may pack a lint roller in your backpack or your purse. You may also store a lint roller in your desk at work or in your locker at school. This way, it is easy to grab and use.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Lint on Your Black Clothing

1
Wash your clothing less often. Washing your clothes too often can lead to more lint on your clothes, as each washing causes the threads on your clothing to loosen and build up. Try to wash clothing you know is prone to lint less often. Overwashing your clothing can damage it in other ways so less washing is best.^{[6]
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- For example, you may have a black sweater that you wear with a tank top underneath. You may try wearing the sweater one to two times before you wash it.
- However, if you notice you sweat when you wear it, you may need to wash it more often to get rid of the smell. You can also try hanging up your clothing to air out smells so you can wear it again without washing it.
2
Allow your clothing to air dry. Putting your clothing through the dryer too often can cause it to become covered with lint. Try to hang and air dry your black clothing rather than try them in the dryer. This will minimize the amount of lint that accumulates on them.^{[7]
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3
Clean lint out of your dryer before you use it. If you do use a dryer to dry your clothing, make sure you clean lint out of the machine before using it. You should check the lint trap in the dryer and empty it.^{[8]
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- You should also make sure there is no lint in any other parts of the inside of the dryer. Cleaning the lint out of the dryer will prevent your clothing from coming out of the dryer covered in lint.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is there anything else I can use to remove lint if I don't have these things?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

Yes, you can use dishwashing gloves to remove lint! They also work great on upholstery.