# Dryer Lint **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 29, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983 "2017-08-29T00:57:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/1 "2017-08-29T00:57:59Z")
Does anyone have a hack for removing dryer lint all in one sheet? I have always said that if I could tear it off all in one complete sheet, then that’s a good day for me. Lately though, I’ve been having a pretty rough time of it, so I need a bunch of back to back “good days” to shoot me through a little. Anyone? Thank You! 🙂 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/2 "2017-08-29T01:01:53Z")
The easiest and laziest way is to let it build up longer before cleaning it. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/3 "2017-08-29T01:20:31Z")
Maybe you need better lint. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/4 "2017-08-29T01:40:07Z")
What’s your procedure? If you’re trying to lift it off, that won’t work because it is too flimsy (unless you let it build up like **snfaulkner** ). My procedure is to find the densest portion, and then gently push it across the lense dense, and it will pick up everything in its wake. It’s a lot like sweeping the floor: it works better if there’s already some dust to help collect the other dust. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/5 "2017-08-29T01:42:48Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > The easiest and laziest way is to let it build up longer before cleaning it. I wouldn’t let it build up _too_ much, as it might cause a fire. But thicker lint _is_ easier to remove. I’ve always wondered if I could wrap the lint, which is mostly from my cotton clothes, in a foil pouch, and but it on the barbie until it chars. (Since it’s sealed in the foil, it should char and not ‘burn’. I think.) Then attempt to use it as tinder that can be lit with flint and steel. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/6 "2017-08-29T02:00:20Z")
Thanks, everyone. There was a time (long ago) when I could figure that out on my own, but now, with my cognitive functions a mess and memory shot, I can think about and do stuff that only takes a short time. Join me in a chorus? [THOSE WERE THE DAYS MARY HOPKIN - YouTube](https://youtu.be/2KODZtjOIPg) Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/7 "2017-08-29T03:20:48Z")
I find a used anti-static sheet in a nearby trash can, and use that to wipe off the lint screen. Done sufficiently carefully, this can accomplish some approximation to getting the lint all off in one piece (or just a few pieces). ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/8 "2017-08-29T04:16:40Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’ve always wondered if I could wrap the lint, which is mostly from my cotton clothes, in a foil pouch, and but it on the barbie until it chars. (Since it’s sealed in the foil, it should char and not ‘burn’. I think.) Then attempt to use it as tinder that can be lit with flint and steel. You don’t need to char it, nor to add petroleum jelly to it as some suggest. It makes good tinder [as](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lint_(material)#Tinder) [is](http://priorproperplanningpppp.blogspot.com/2014/09/dryer-lint-tinder-bundle-fire.html). ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/9 "2017-08-29T07:02:15Z")
I whack the screen with lint on the side of the dryer …it never fails to fall away in one piece. Then I just pick up and toss…i have always wanted a way to recycle it…but alas no ideas! Anybody got something? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/10 "2017-08-29T10:55:42Z")
I wet my finger tips, it all comes off in a nice neat ball. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/11 "2017-08-29T11:13:55Z")
Send it to [Heidi Hooper.](http://heidihooper.com/dryer-lint-art) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/12 "2017-08-29T14:41:29Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > … > i have always wanted a way to recycle it…but alas no ideas! Anybody got something? Just tuck it back into your bellybutton. Works great. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/13 "2017-08-29T15:01:08Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I find a used anti-static sheet in a nearby trash can, and use that to wipe off the lint screen. Done sufficiently carefully, this can accomplish some approximation to getting the lint all off in one piece (or just a few pieces). I clean the lint after each load with the dryer sheet I just used. ---
**Author:** ![qfo\_jb2013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c57346/32.png) [@qfo\_jb2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qfo_jb2013)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/14 "2017-09-01T01:04:05Z")
Aha. One knows, I surmise the tiniest plastic forks, smaller than at salad bars? just keep one next to the lint tray, and it removes it cleanly. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dryer-lint/794983/15 "2017-09-01T01:24:38Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > The easiest and laziest way is to let it build up longer before cleaning it. > **[Why Do I Need to Clean the Outside Dryer Vent?](https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-outside-dryer-vent-2145966)** > > Outside dryer vents can become clogged when lint is exposed to outside humidity. Keep air flowing to prevent fires and keep a dryer working properly. This is a more expense way too , not cleaning the filter each time made the dry work harder . It only take a few seconds to remove the lint , I don’t get what so hard about doing this .