How To Use The 'Air Only' Dryer Setting To Remove Lint From Your Clothes

There isn't much worse than being in a rush and putting on an outfit just to find that one (or more) of your items is covered in lint. Although tiny, these fiber bunches are extremely noticeable when piled together and can ruin even the best outfits.

Fortunately, you don't have to wear these pesky fibers all day. Whether you're in a time crunch or not, one simple laundry hack will transform your clothes from embarrassing to admirable. All you'll need to get the job done is a dryer, a clean dryer sheet, and just a half hour of your time.

A dryer's "air only" setting, also often called "no heat" or "air/fluff only," serves dual purposes. While originally intended to dry clothes without any heat, it can also be used to remove even the most stubborn lint from your favorite dark-colored clothing. After only minutes, the magic of your dryer and a dryer sheet will have lint off your clothes and into the lint trap in 

All dryers are equipped with lint traps to catch any excess fibers that come off of your clothing during the drying process. However, sometimes clothes need a quick extra cycle before they're lint-free.

Take the item that needs to be run through a second time and put it back in your empty, clean dryer. Add a fresh dryer sheet to the clothes and set your dryer to the "air only" setting. Allow your dryer to run a full cycle on this setting. Once completed, your clothes should be nearly, if not completely, free from lint. All that's left to do is empty your dryer and be sure to remove any lint collected in the designated section of your machine.

Of course, results vary depending on the texture and color of clothing, as well as the dryer's age and overall condition. That being said, there are a few tips and tricks to take this laundry hack above and beyond.

While the basic drying cycle is easy to follow, there are even more hacks within this one to maximize your results. First, make sure you put a small load of similar items in for this cycle. One article of clothing is ideal, but if you are adding a few pieces to the lint-removing load, make sure they're alike in color and fabric. This will decrease the amount of lint created and ensure that any additional lint blends with the fabric it attaches to.

It's also important to select the right dryer sheet for the job. The main job of a dryer sheet is to soften clothes, reduce static cling, and add a refreshing scent. Any will likely do the trick because they decrease the amount of static electricity, but if you're willing to go the extra mile to breathe new life into your clothes, look for ones that are specifically designed to repel lint.