Lint

Lint is a problem with all mechanical dryers.  Essentially lint is the breakdown of clothing fibers so it is a good indication that your washer and dryer is causing your clothes to age.  It can cause slow drying in mechanical dryers if allowed to build up as well as safety issues with C0 emissions build-up for gas dryers and fire risks for both electrical and gas dryers.  Aside of the wear and tear on clothes and safety issues, lint is basically waste.  If the lint contains natural fibers like cotton then it can be used in the compost but lint containing synthetic fibers should not be put into the compost.  In essence, lint is not eco-friendly representing mainly waste.  Some enterprising individuals have turned lint into artwork but really, there isn't much demand for that even for the frugal homemaker.  It can be used for starting campfires or fireplaces though.

We have the Whirlpool Duet HE washer and dryer.  Until that point we had traditional drum dryer and agitator washer.  I honestly never realized the difference in lint production until we started using the regular, traditional dryer and washer at our vacation home.  I had an older pair of flannel pyjama bottoms that were still very much functional.  There were no real signs of wearing out yet I washed them twice at the vacation home and the bottom broke through.  I was quite surprised as when using the HE washer there is very minimal lint in the dryer.  Yet with the traditional drum dryer there had to be at least 4 to 5 times as much lint!  It is quite obvious that a traditional agitator washer causes clothes to wear faster!

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