LA Good Question: Get Lint off the Sheets?

I have lint balls in my sheets (after washing my sheets separately from other clothes). Any ideas for removing lint balls from sheets?

Hi Brian--

This hasn't happened to us with sheets, but we've had our fair share of lint balls on sweaters. We notice is often happens if the sweater has any polyester in it, for some reason it balls up. We always stick with 100% cotton sheets and haven't had a problem. That being said, we only know of one way to remove lint balls, a lint shaver (simpler model is here) but it can be a lot of work, especially on an entire set of sheets....

Anyone else? Help with the attack of the lint balls?

[image from Jehr Flickr]

Comments (10)

Unfortunately there is no other way to get rid of them other than shaving them off. I suggest a lint shaver with an extra-large head like this one: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/RazorTek-Cordless-Clothes-Shaver-and-Mini-RazorTek/690765/product.html?

Good luck!

posted by Monica on July 15th 2008 at 12:07pm
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That actually looks like pilling to me. I find if I buy 100% Egyptian cotton or 100% supima and a high thread count, my sheets don't pill. All of my Wamsutta sheets like this still look brand new and I have had some of them for over 10 years.

posted by designpirate on July 15th 2008 at 12:53pm
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go design pirate - pilling is the correct term. lint you can brush off. pilling either has to be prevented (buy higher thread count) or shaved off, you can buy little battery operated de-pillers from lincraft and spotlight and I am pretty sure you could get them at a discount superstore like k-mart.

posted by venus_thames on July 15th 2008 at 12:58pm
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While I've never had this problem with sheets,
I have the most awesome way to get pilling off of sweaters and other things---the cat's flea comb. It takes those pills off really quickly and easily. I can de-pill (is that a word?) a sweater in a few minutes. I hate those shavers they never seemed to work very well.

posted by chrisB on July 15th 2008 at 1:22pm
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Great tip, chrisB!

posted by wig3000 on July 15th 2008 at 3:57pm
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This is not what you asked for, but I am sharing what I do to avoid this problem altogether.

I wash such items in the delicate cycle in cold water with woolite. If there is serious need of a wash, I soak the item with lukewarm water mixed with woolite, and wring the item before washing.

I do not machine dry the item, but air dry the item, or dry it on a gentle heating towel rack.

The items last forever and remain as beautiful as always

posted by adviser on July 15th 2008 at 6:25pm
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I've always used a regular shaving razor on sheets and other items that pill, since those commercially sold shavers don't get the job done. It requires some finesse and a light touch, but it works much, much better.

posted by That70sHeidi on July 16th 2008 at 4:12am
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If it's pilling and not lint, then I would use a regular shaver, or buy a sweater stone. Sweater stones are used on knit wear obviously, but would probably work on sheets as well.

posted by Melissa A. on July 16th 2008 at 5:56am
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You simply need to buy sheets that are 100% cotton. Not specifically Supima or Egyptian. Thread count doesn't matter as far as the pilling is concerned. Pilling usually occurs on sheets with a polyester/cotton blend.

posted by STYLeyes on July 16th 2008 at 10:39am
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Put on your rubber dishwashing gloves and wipe the sheets.
It magically rolls the lint off.

posted by madameovary on July 16th 2008 at 11:18am
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