Especially now that I have kids, figuring out how to clean velcro became very important. From cloth diapers to coats, there is velcro on so many things in our home. But having long hair and two dogs, there are lots of thing that get into the hook and loop fasteners that I don’t want there. Not only does it look awful, but it makes the velcro not work properly. So here’s a quick and easy way to improve the function of your hook and loop velcro and get out the lint and other unwanted and unsightly visitors.
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Clean Hoop and Loop Velcro without Headaches
Instead of sitting there meticulously picking out hair and other pieces of whatever came your way and decided to attach itself to your velcro, there is an inexpensive and simple solution.
So what’s the secret weapon? It’s called a Snappi. It’s intended purpose is to replace safety pins for families that use old-school cloth diapers. While we are a cloth diapering family, you don’t need to even have kids to purchases and use this awesome tool. It’s small (fits inside of the palm of your hand) and durable, making it ideal for any laundry room for a quick and easy fix when you notice your velcro getting a little dirtier.
Watch a Video of how I cleaned velcro out of a thrift store find
Steps to get fur and hair out of Velcro
1. Hold clothing or piece of velcro between your hand gripping it firmly with your thumb. You want to make sure that you don’t snag anything and that you can effectively pull out as much lint as possible. (And realize it may not be perfect when you’re done, but if it looks 99% better and works better, then that’s the goal!)
2. Grip Snappi with your other hand, placing your thumb over the back of the claw. Again, a good grip is necessary and helps with efficiency.
3. Make quickly downward motions with the claw of the Snappi fastener and continue to move all of the accumulated hair down the hook and loop fastener. As you do these quick motions and gather up all the junk that is in the aplix, velcro, and hook and loop fasteners, it will ball up.
4. Pick the balls of lint up and out of the claw/velcro.
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Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 5 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
heather
now that is a genius idea!
Kara Carrero
Thanks! It works SO well.
Chuck thomas
I found that a tool kit of the following can work well–in no particular order–depending on how deeply embedded the debris and fibers are:
(1) a mustache comb (available at drug stores, if you buy the wax also. I had an old comb lying around for no reason.) Any very fine comb would work, but the mustache comb is the finest-toothed I have seen.
(2) wire suede brush
(3) scotch brand plastic packaging tape dispenser (the serrated cutting edge)
(4) thin membrane masking tape
If there is a long time buildup of fibers and debris, use the comb first. You could use any very fine-toothed comb held as parallel to the Velcro as possible, to work the teeth under the debris. When fuzz is raised, pinch off the clumps with your fingertips before using other tools. .
Use the suede brush perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the Velcro rows of teeth.
The Scotch tape dispenser helps you dislodge really stubborn particles.
Masking tape can be well used by pressing it firmly against the Velcro so that the membrane of the tape burrows down into the Velcro cavity.
You can use these steps in any order after the comb. There is always the need to use your fingers to extract the fuzz. The last bits of debris can be coaxed out by using brush strokes 90 degrees or parallel to the direction of the Velcro rows.
This process is no faster than other methods, but it works and doesn’t require any specialized tools.
DeLynn Anderson
that was AMAZING! I have lots of winter gear and they all have Velcro.
I bought a pack of Snappi’s and my Velcro WORKS again!!! THANKS!!!
Kara Carrero
I am SO GLAD that they worked well for you! I would buy them over and ver again just for velcro.