Dark clothes and lint from towels
Short answer: Lint is light fibers from terry cloth, and it only shows clearly on dark fabric. The solution is sorting, not a different color.
Where the lint comes from
Towels, bathrobes and anything made of terry cloth shed loose fibers every time they are washed. The fibers cling to the clothes sharing the same drum, no matter how clean those clothes were beforehand. On dark fabric the contrast is greatest, so that is where you notice the problem most. New terry cloth sheds the most, and the amount drops gradually after the first several washes.
Sorting solves most of it
Wash towels in their own load and keep dark clothes separate from terry cloth in general. Wash dark clothes inside out, so any lint that still clings ends up on the inside rather than the outside. See bamboo clothing for men.
Why bamboo viscose attracts less lint
Smooth fibers like bamboo viscose offer fewer places for loose lint to catch, compared with a rougher cotton fabric. This does not make the fabric completely free of the problem, but it reduces how much sticks after washing.
How to remove lint that is already there
A lint roller is fastest for single items, and a damp rubber glove works well on lint that looks like hair. Empty the dryer filter every time, otherwise the lint just spreads onto the next load. See bamboo towels and bamboo clothing for women.
What you can do to prevent it
Wash new towels on their own the first few times, before mixing them with the rest of the laundry. They shed the most lint right after purchase, and the amount drops noticeably after a few washes.
Tumble drying makes it worse, not better
Warm air in the dryer loosens fibers even more than a regular wash alone does. Air drying spares both the terry cloth and the dark clothes, if you have the option.
What about dark underwear and socks
These items sit closest to the body and get washed often, which makes them most likely to pick up lint from an earlier wash. Run them in their own drum together with other dark clothes. A few extra minutes of sorting saves you from standing there covered in lint right before you head out.
It is not about the detergent
Many people switch detergent hoping to solve the problem, but sorting and wash temperature decide the outcome, not the soap itself. Fabric softener actually makes it worse, because it leaves a coating on the fibers.
Frequently asked questions
Does light clothing also get lint
Yes, just as much as dark clothing. You just do not see it, because the contrast between light fibers and light fabric is small.
Does fabric softener help with lint
No. It coats the fibers without loosening anything, and can actually make lint stick better than before.
Can lint be washed out again
Partly. A rewash on its own without terry cloth in the drum removes a good portion of the lint already stuck.
