Dryer Lint
Lydia Cartwright and Alie Gibson
ARCH 5500: Processing the Anthropocene
How can we reuse dryer lint?
What is Lint?
Lint consists of threads, fibers, and other small particles that shed from clothing and textiles in the wash. Lint created from organic materials (cotton and wool) can be composted, however most contemporary fabrics contain microplastics, synthetic fibers, and other pollutants. Therefore, these are also often present in the lint, depending on what went through the wash.
The unpredictability of the material makeup, along with the incredibly short fiber length make it a challenging material to work with.
Lint Clay
Ingredients:
½ cup dryer Lint
¼ cup flour
2 tsp salt
½ tsp cream of tartar
¼ cup lukewarm water
¼ tbsp vegetable oil
Equipment:
Scissors
Bowl
Stir stick
Oven (optional)
Step 1:
Cut lint into smaller pieces.
Step 2:
Mix dry ingredients together (lint, flour, salt, cream of tartar).
Step 3:
Add in wet ingredients (lukewarm water, vegetable oil).
Step 4:
Mix until a clay-like consistency is achieved. Add additional lint as needed for desired consistency.
Step 5:
Form into a pinch pot.
Step 6:
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees farenheit for 30 minutes.
