What objects can we find in our washing machine? It is well known that the washing machine is one of the household products in which the most germs and objects accumulate, due to the amount of dirt that our clothes have. For example, we can throw our pants with coins, toilet paper, dirt, pens, pencils, keys and any object that could be forgotten in the pants pocket.
On top of all this, little grey hamsters form inside the washing machine. That ball of cotton-textured fabrics that gather in the filters, which you probably should clean. We now know those balls as lint, and believe it or not, even though they look like waste that is easy to throw away, you should be careful, because you have a treasure.
What is lint and why does it form?
Lint is a collection of hairs or filaments that come off fabrics or bodies with fibers. In the specific case of the washing machine, it is the result of the accumulation of small fibers that fall off the clothes during washing. The material that accumulates in the washing machine filter also contains hair, pet hair and hair particles.
As we have already said, the usual color of this material is gray, although this shade varies depending on the predominant colors in the clothes. But the reason for their existence is the constant friction between the fabrics and the drum inside the washing machine. During this process, the fibers weaken from daily use, come loose and, due to the action of the water and the movement in circles, find their way onto other garments, sticking firmly to other clothes or to the filter itself.
What can I use the lint for?
Although it may seem hard to believe, lint is not completely rubbish, you can reuse it in your home. It is important to say that, in most cases, the first thing you should do is make sure it no longer has soap or other chemical substances on it. Its possible uses are:
- In the garden to retain moisture in the soil.
- To prevent soil erosion.
- Filling teddy bears or pillows.
- Protecting plants from low temperatures.
- Making paper.
- Covering holes in winter to prevent the cold from entering the house.
