Towels that do not shed lint and what helps
Short answer: Towels that never shed lint hardly exist, because almost all new towels lose a little lint in the first washes. Wash them separately, skip fabric softener and clean the dryer's lint filter, and it eases off quickly.
Why towels shed lint
Towels shed lint because loose fibres from production sit in the loops and come away when the fabric is washed and used. It is completely normal and shows mostly in the first washes. That is why towels that do not shed lint are mostly about how you treat them, not only about what you buy.
Wash new towels first
Wash new towels once or twice before you use them. That removes the loose fibres that would otherwise sit on the skin and in the bathroom. Wash them apart from other clothes, so you do not get lint on black items. Look at bamboo towels and read the washing instructions before you use them for the first time.
Wash them on their own
Wash towels with other towels and not with clothes that collect lint, such as fleece and dark jumpers. They release fibres in the machine, and those fibres settle in other items. Keep colours separate, especially new dark towels, which can release dye.
Skip fabric softener
Fabric softener can leave a film on the fibres and make them less absorbent. It does not help against lint, and over time it can make towels smoother and less effective. Use a little detergent and an extra rinse instead, so no residue stays in the fabric.
Do not overfill the machine
If the machine is too full, the towels do not get rinsed properly. Then fibres and soap residue stay behind, and that gives more lint. Leave room so the water can run freely through the towels. Rinse once more if you have plenty of water.
Clean the dryer's lint filter
The lint in the dryer is exactly the fibres coming away from the towels. Clean the filter after every drying so the air can circulate and the lint does not settle in your clothes again. Air drying is gentle on the fibres but often gives a stiffer towel.
Do not brush or cut into the loops
If a loop hangs out, cut it off carefully instead of pulling it. A pulled loop can cause holes. Do not brush the towel hard, because that wears the surface. Leave the towel alone and simply wash it as instructed.
When lint is a sign of something else
If the lint does not ease off after some washes and the towel gets thinner, it may be worn. Then it is time to replace it. For the quiet evenings after a bath a bamboo dressing gown for men suits, and in the bedroom bamboo bedding can be the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Do new towels always shed lint?
Most do, especially the first few times. Wash them separately once or twice before you use them and you remove most of the loose fibres.
Does fabric softener help against lint?
No, it can rather make towels less absorbent. Use a little detergent and an extra rinse instead.
Why is there so much lint in the dryer?
It is the loose fibres from the towels. Clean the filter after every drying so the air can circulate and the lint does not settle in your clothes.
