Lint on Black Slacks

Updated on January 11, 2012
M.K. asks from Columbus, OH
10 answers

This is driving me nuts - black slacks with linty stuff on them that I just cannot get off! My son got a job as a bus-boy (I'm so proud of him!) and is required to wear black slacks - ok, no big deal. We bought two pair - different stores; different material; different manufacturers. Okay, so here is my problem: I CANNOT get the lint off one pair. I wash them with dark colors; I've washed them by themselves; I've dried them with and without dryer sheets; I've dried them alone; with other clothing; NOTHING WORKS!!!! And it's the more expensive pair!!! They feel more like a linen-type of material; thicker than the other pair. How can I get the lint off??? We use that roller-type of lint remover all the time. (Yes, I wash and dry other dress-slacks all the time with no problems and they are NOT "dry-clean only.") Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for all the responses. And yes, it's definitely lint, not pills so there's nothing to shave; it's like little fibers or something and they come off immediately with the lint roller my son uses. I don't use liquid softener in the washer. But I'll check out the build-up in the washer or dryer from towels, etc. and I'll try washing them inside-out - those are about the only things I haven't thot of before.

Theresa: not sure what the shoes and socks have to do with the slacks. But thanks for responding!!!

Featured Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

LINT ROLLER! That's all I've got. I wear black stretch pants often and between the dog and my dust bunnies, I look like a mess... lint rollers are my BFF :)

5 moms found this helpful

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

i have a pair of pants like that and i have to use the clear packing tape to get it off. works everytime.

5 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Is it lint or is it pills? Abrasion often causes pills on synthetic fabrics. If the lint roller won't take the lint off I suggest it's pills and a shaver might take them off.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.Y.

answers from New York on

Packing tape works well.
Washing them inside out does wonders for lint problems.

2 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Duct tape. But can you actually SEE his socks when his shoes are on?

:)

2 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I never have that problem because I always divide the laundry like you do. I would check the dryer where the air goes out to circulate. It may be that the holes have a buildup. I would also check the water in the washing machine to see if there is a lint build up around the top where the water level is. It may be that there is some lint built up from towels.

Next I would take them to the laundry mat and wash them with black tee shirts or other pure black items. Then dry there. If they still have lint on them they I would suggest the lint is embedded in the surface fibers and it is just one of those things. You may have to try a lint/sweater shaver to see if it comes off with that.

If you are using ANY fabric softener in the washer stop that. That is probably built up inside the washer too. I actually use liquid softener in my dark colors. I wait until the washer is full and starts to agitate then pour the softener into the moving water. It never has effected my dark clothes.

I have static so bad that when I go to Walmart to get groceries the shelves shoot sparks then I touch them. I got chocked this morning when I bought milk...if I don't have fabric softener plus dryer sheets in my dark's it gets even worse. So I don't have this issue and it appears we do laundry alike. I would then suggest it is the fabric of the pants. Perhaps they have a while pocket lining and the lint is coming from that.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.G.

answers from Cleveland on

Some fabrics are just like that. What the manufacturer is thinking I don't know. With dark pants, I really look at them in the store now. Any lint sticking in the store is a sign that this will be a problem.

I'd return them. Send the store a message that they shouldn't sell pants made of fabric that collects lint. I'm not a person that thinks you can just return everything, but pants that look horrible are not acceptable. Especially if you still have the receipt, at least give it a try. Places like Kohls and Target have your receipt on file if you used a charge card.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Columbia on

Make your son remove the lint. His clothes - his responsibility.

:)

1 mom found this helpful
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B.A.

answers from Toledo on

I'm not sure where they sell them but i'm sure you can find at walmart or somewhere...they have a thing called a lint shaver....mostly to get those little lint balls off your sweaters...but it would probably work for the slacks also?

1 mom found this helpful
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