10 unexpected lint roller uses for everyday cleaning

Generated by DALL·E

A lint roller has long been the go-to for scooping up pet hair and dust from fabrics. But its talents don’t end there. This unassuming tool can take on a surprising range of everyday chores.

Pick up scattered pieces

For crafters, a lint roller is a quiet lifesaver. It easily gathers spilled beads, sequins, or tiny thread clippings from almost any surface. It’s simply faster and tidier than picking them up by hand.

Clean a fabric lampshade

Fabric lampshades trap a lot of dust that’s hard to dislodge. A lint roller gets right to it. Roll in one direction to avoid snagging the weave.

Tidy up a bag

Crumbs, sand, and small debris cling stubbornly to the bottom of a bag with a fabric lining. A few passes with the roller, and the interior looks as good as new.

Reach tight spots

A mini roller—or just a narrower one—helps lift dust and lint from drawer slides, gaps in car seats, or the ventilation grilles on appliances.

Pick up glass shards

Collecting tiny fragments from a broken vase or glass is risky and fiddly. The sticky sheet will grab even the smallest slivers. Use care when peeling off the used layer with the shards attached.

Lift flaking skin after sunburn

If skin starts to peel after a sunburn, you can gently help it along. A lint roller will lift flakes of dead epidermis without scraping at the skin with your nails.

Collect fallen pine needles

After the holiday season, the floor around a real Christmas tree is often carpeted with fallen needles. The roller tackles this prickly mess with ease, leaving the carpet free of stray needles.

Clean textured surfaces

It’s handy for decorative plaster, textured wallpaper, or Venetian plaster, where dust settles into the recesses. A roller on a long handle lets you reach those surfaces even up on the ceiling.

Remove hair after a haircut

Tiny hairs that cling to the neck and skin after a cut are hard to brush away. The roller lifts them quickly and without irritation.

Remove insects gently

Spot a spider or other small insect on the wall? No need for a rolled-up newspaper or a tissue. A lint roller lets you catch it from a safe distance, with less risk of a bite—especially useful for those with allergies. In short, the humble lint roller proves useful not only before heading out the door, but during deep cleans, creative sessions, and even minor fixes around the house.