What is a Lint Catcher?

A lint catcher goes by other names, such as a lint trap or a lint filter. The term is usually used in reference to a filter in a clothes dryer, which collects lint from clothing as it dries. It is a helpful tool that protects clothing and keeps it newer looking for longer. However, it is important to make sure that the lint filter is thoroughly cleaned each time the dryer is used.

Any time lint builds up or the lint filter gets clogged, it not only diminishes the performance of the dryer, but it can also be dangerous. Your dryer will not dry clothes as thoroughly or as quickly as it should due to reduced air flow, and your clothes will also have more wrinkles. More importantly, lint particles can be very flammable, and when built up lint and debris is exposed to the heat of the dryer, fire can result.

Aside from the lint catcher, it is also important to keep the vent hose or vent duct free of debris. Again, doing so will help improve your dryer’s performance and reduce the risk of fire. There are special brushes available that make it easier to keep your lint catcher as well as your vent clean.

There are other assorted lint devices available, such as lint catcher balls. These small balls are covered in micro fiber, which grabs lint and other particles off your clothes as they tumble in the dryer. Just throw them in the dryer with clothing and you can dramatically reduce the amount of lint that collects on your clothes as well as in the lint filter.

You can also purchase a lint catcher for your washing machine. A common design is a lint filter connected to the washer's discharge or drain hose that filters the wash water, removing lint and other debris before it reaches the utility sink or drainage pipe. This type of lint catcher can help prevent clogged pipes as well as septic system damage.