How To Clean Velcro

Invented by George de Mestrel in the 1940s, Velcro is one of the most extraordinary inventions of the twentieth century.

The hook and loop system may be something we all take advantage of without much thought, but it has made life easier for millions worldwide. That is until Velcro gets dirty.

Yes, Velcro has a great design, but when it’s dirty, it can be a pain to clean. Dirt, debris, and lint can easily get caught in the fasteners of Velcro leading to a poorer grip and a messy appearance.

If you’re like me and have struggled to clean Velcro thoroughly, then you know how frustrating it can be.

The good news is that I finally had enough of dealing with scruffy-looking Velcro and decided to find the best cleaning methods out there. And, today, I am going to share with you the best ways to clean Velcro successfully. 

Time to get that Velcro gripping properly again! 

How Often Should You Clean Velcro?

Before I get down to the business of cleaning Velcro, you may be wondering how often you should maintain your Velcro fastenings.

The truth is that there is no set rule for how frequently you should clean Velcro. However, the more often you clean it, the fewer issues you will experience, such as poor grip and unkempt Velcro. 

The majority of hook and loop fasteners are made from nylon. Whilst this is the best for Velcro designs, it is the worst for keeping clean.

The nylon is like a magnet for dust, debris, hair, and lint. Over time, this can build up on Velcro and prevent it from sticking properly.

So, to combat this, you need to pay extra attention to your Velcro, especially when it has become dirty after a day out or you find it is not holding together well anymore. One simple clean and your Velcro may be sticking together better than ever!

Cleaning Velcro: What You Need

First of all, you need to gather supplies to clean Velcro. You will need the following tools:

• A toothbrush
• Tweezers
• A small bowl
• A fine-toothed comb
• A tape dispenser
• Microfiber cloths 

You will also need the following materials:

• A lint roller
• Packing tape
• Bleach (oxygen-based)
• Laundry detergent
• Stain remover (enzyme-based)

Step-By-Step Instructions

Toothbrush

The first step is to remove any debris from the Velcro. More often than not, dirty Velcro will have lint attached to it. To remove this, grab a stiff-bristled toothbrush.

Place your Velcro on a flat surface and using swift, short, sharp strokes, brush the Velcro to lift out any debris and lint. 

Brush from one end of the Velcro fastener to the other and pick out any loose lint with your fingers. Do this on both the hook and loop of the fastener. 

Lint Roller

You can also use a lint roller to pull out any debris from Velcro. Again, place the Velcro fastener on a flat surface and roll the roller from one end to the other.

Roll over both the hook and loop sides several times, whilst switching the lint roller surface when required. 

Sticky Tape

Need to remove lint quickly but have no lint roller at your disposal? Do not despair! You can use some sticky tape instead. Sticky packing tape or duct tape is suitable for this job.

All you need to do is wrap it around your hand and push down on the Velcro to pick up any debris or dirt. Once the tape has picked up debris, make sure you move to a clean part of the tape to pick up more on the Velcro.

You may need to replace the tape a few times with this method. 

Tape Dispenser

Got some lint that is hard to remove? You can use the saw-tooth cutting edge of the tape dispenser to scrape out the remaining debris from the Velcro.

Just place the dispenser in position for you to use the cutting edge. Then, lift out the debris using swift, short strokes. When the debris is loose, grab it with your fingers or some sticky tape. 

Comb

So, you combed your hair earlier but now loose hair is stuck in your Velcro. No worries! Using your fine-toothed comb again, you can remove the hair and debris like you would with the toothbrush.

Make sure you do so on a flat surface, though for the easiest method. 

Tweezers 

Good old faithful tweezers! They always come in handy.

This method may require some patience, but if there are small pieces of lint, dirt, or debris stuck in Velcro that you can't remove with any other methods, you can try picking them out individually using tweezers.

We recommend using a pair of angled-tipped or flat tweezers. Work from one end of the Velcro to the other, using the tweezers on both sides of the fastener. 

Velcro On Velcro

If you find that the scratchy side of your Velcro (the hook side) is full of lint or debris, then you can rub it against another hooked piece of Velcro to loosen the pieces.

This is a go-to method if you’re in a rush and haven’t got time to gather supplies. Whilst it will not clean the Velcro thoroughly, it will remove enough for the time being.

Later on, you can work on removing the rest of the debris from your Velcro using a method outlined above. 

In Summary

Dirty Velcro can be a nuisance but thankfully, it is pretty easy to clean up.

If your Velcro has stains, however, you may need to take more time cleaning it by removing the lint first, then treating it with a splash of enzyme-based stain remover or a dash of laundry detergent.

Brush in the stain with a toothbrush and let the stain remover work its magic for ten minutes. Then, submerge the Velcro in oxygen-based bleach and warm water before washing the garment or material as usual. 

Voilà! Clean, lint-free and stain-free Velcro!

Thanks for reading!