What is lint?
The word lint refers to small, loose fibres that can gather on fabrics such as clothing, home textiles and upholstery. They are usually caused by movement (particularly on high friction areas such as arms and cuffs) leading to a build-up of fibres, bobbles and pills which can look unsightly and make clothes look older than they are.
Lint can also include dust, pet hair, and other small debris that clings to clothing and tends to be more noticeable the more an item has been worn and washed.
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What is a lint remover?
There are various lint removal products including both manual and electric options - here are the most common choices:
Lint roller - These manual tube-like rollers are covered in a layer of sticky or adhesive paper, which when rolled across the fabric can remove more noticeable strands of pet hair, lint and loose fibres from clothes and upholstery. They tend to be disposable, eventually losing their effectiveness over time and are best suited to occasional use.
Manual lint remover - Manual brushes or shavers, these hand-operated lint removers are useful for tackling small areas at a time across clothing and home textiles. Caution should be taken with more delicate fabrics to ensure you do not press too hard or you risk damaging the fibres.
Electric lint removers - Rechargeable USB or battery-powered, electric lint removers (also known as fabric shavers), use rotating blades (often at a range of heights) which can gently pull away and gather up lint, pills, bobbles and fibres off your clothing and upholstery. Often the most efficient tool for lint removal, they can generally cover larger surface areas efficiently and collect the results for mess-free disposal.
Cashmere combs - For more delicate fabrics such as cashmere, mohair and alpaca, these ultra-fine lint removal combs require gentle manual use on small areas to protect delicate fibres whilst reviving the look and feel of them.
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Do lint removers work?
Yes, while lint removal products may vary in efficiency, they are a great way to remove unwanted fuzz, lint and fibres from clothing, helping revive, refresh and restore them to (almost) as good as new. Removing lint can take time, and it’s not an instant fix, but using a lint remover regularly can help maintain even delicate fabrics over longer periods.
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What’s the difference between a fabric shaver and a lint roller?
Lint rollers and fabric shavers are two different products.
Lint rollers are generally manual tools with a sticky sheet that collects loose hair, dust and fibres from the surface of clothing, ideal for a quick refresh before wearing, particularly if you have pets in your home. Lint rollers are fine for occasional use, but less effective at improving the overall appearance and removing lint buildup or imperfections caused by wear and friction.
A fabric shaver on the other hand can remove more substantial damage to fabrics, including pilling, bobbling and lint build-up. Usually powered by a motor, they gently rotate as they move across the surface of the fabric, shaving away unwelcome fibres to help restore their appearance.
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Can lint removers damage clothes?
While most lint removers are relatively gentle, they do have the potential to damage your clothes if they are not used correctly. As such, you should always check the instructions carefully and ensure you are using the right settings to protect your clothes.
Regardless of your clothes fabric, you should avoid pressing too hard with a lint remover or moving it too rapidly as this can risk causing holes and tears. You should also ensure the clothes are clean and dry before use.
Delicate fabrics or clothing with a loose weave will require additional care, so you may find it safer to use a manual tool or comb which offers more precise control. If in doubt, carry out a test patch in a less visible area so you can see the effects before you commit.
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Can lint removers be used on all fabric types?
Lint removers are generally safe to use on most cotton, wool and synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon, but you may want to exercise caution with open weave knits and delicate fabrics such as cashmere and merino.
You should avoid using lint removers and fabric shavers items made from leather, suede, velvet or faux fur, as this can damage the texture and make-up of the fabric.
What to consider when buying a lint remover
With so many products to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right lint removal product for your needs:
Type of lint remover - Are you happy to use a manual lint remover, or would you prefer the efficiency of an electric model? Whilst they’re often cheaper and more portable, manual lint removers tend to require more effort and can be used incorrectly. Electric fabric shavers are often the best choice for larger tasks, collecting the mess and covering a larger surface area more quickly.
Fabric suitability - What kind of fabrics do you intend to use it on? Consider whether the product is compatible with your clothes and take extra caution if you’re planning to use it on delicate fabrics.
Power source - Is the fabric shaver rechargeable via USB or does it require batteries? If so, are they included or do you need to factor them into the price? You may also want to consider the battery life - specifically, how long you can use it for after a full charge.
Adjustable settings - Can the fabric shaver be adjusted to suit each task? Some electric fabric shavers have a variety of height settings that adjust the closeness of the shave, allowing you to be gentle on more delicate fabrics and more firm on hard wearing clothing and upholstery.
Collection container - Does the product collect the removed lint and fuzz as you work? How easy is it to empty? A clear container is helpful as it allows you to see when it’s full.
Size and portability - Do you intend to use the lint remover outside of the home? Smaller, more compact models are convenient for travel, however with a smaller surface area, they can take longer to use as a result.
How easy is it to clean? - Does it require assembly? Some models also include a cleaning brush to help prevent any build-up across the blades.
Price - How much are you willing to pay? Consider how often you are likely to use it before committing to a more expensive model.
What is the best lint remover?
Rated by Mumsnet users and online reviewers alike, the Philips Fabric Shaver takes the top spot with confidence as the best lint remover you can buy today. We’d love to see a rechargeable model, however with a large shaving head, adjustable blade height and powerful motor, it's an effective tool for use across multiple fabric types.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Mumsnet users have long debated the best way to keep their favourite clothes looking good for longer, with many users sharing their hints and tips and the best tools for the job.
First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on their favourite lint removers and fabric shavers, including the products that they rate, recommend and use to restore and revive their clothes.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, difficult to use or risked damaging clothing during use.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best lint removers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Lakeland, and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.