Getting burrs stuck in your clothing is one of the most annoying things ever. That just happened to me last weekend.
I had no idea how to remove burrs from clothing at home until I noticed those annoying little plant burrs.
I panicked initially but finally figured out a few simple tricks that work.
So, if you’re stuck with burrs on your clothes, too, let me explain exactly what I did.
No comb, no fancy tools, just stuff you already have at home.
What Are Burrs on Clothes?
Before we get into removal methods, let’s talk about what we’re dealing with.
You might hear people say burr on clothes. Usually, they’re designed by nature for sticking to animals.
A burr on clothes is a tiny plant seed with hooks or spikes that clings tightly to fabric.
They especially love textured materials like wool, fleece, and thick winter fabrics.
So once you touch certain plants, they latch on like little hitchhikers and don’t want to let go.
And because they grip so tightly, getting them off takes a bit of patience.
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Can You Wash Burrs Out of Clothing?
In most cases, no. We believe that we can toss everything into the washing machine and be done with it. Big mistake.
You end up with broken burr pieces buried in the fabric, which are even harder to remove.
We learnt this when we washed a fleece hoodie without removing the burrs first.
It came out worse, messier, and harder to clean. So always remove as many burrs as you can before washing anything.
Why doesn’t it work?
The burrs don’t loosen in water they just get soggy and stick more.
They tangle deeper into the fibres during the spin cycle.
How to Remove Burrs from Clothing Without a Comb
If you don’t have a special comb, don’t worry. These tricks saved our clothes.
We figured out how to get burrs out of clothing using regular household stuff.
These tools made it way easier, and we didn’t have to run to the store or buy anything special.
Rubber Gloves
You can use normal dishwashing gloves.
We rubbed the clothes in one direction and the burrs started coming off.
The gloves have enough grip to pull them out without tearing the fabric.
Duct Tape or Packing Tape
Press it down firmly over the burrs, then peel it off.
It pulls up the smaller burrs that are hard to grab with your fingers.
Tweezers
For stubborn burrs deep in the fabric, tweezers worked wonders.
We were able to gently lift them without pulling at the cloth too much.
Lint Roller
After using gloves and tape, we rolled over the clothes to catch anything left.
Works especially well on fleece and wool.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Burrs from Clothing at Home
If you’re stuck on thinking about how to remove burrs from clothes at home, just take it step by step like we did.
Here’s a simple process we followed.
Let the Clothes Dry Completely
This is super important. If the clothes are even a little damp, the burrs become mushy and harder to pull off.
Wait until everything is dry, especially after hiking through wet or dewy areas.
Loosen the Fabric Gently
We stretched the fabric between our hands to loosen the fibres.
That helped the burrs sit more on the surface instead of being buried deep inside.
Start with Rubber Gloves or Tape
We used rubber gloves to rub down the clothing in long strokes.
This lifted most of the burrs easily. Then, we used duct tape on areas where burrs were still sticking.
Use Tweezers for the Tough Ones
Some burrs just didn’t want to come out, especially in fleece. That’s where tweezers saved the day.
We gently pulled them out one by one without ripping the fabric.
Shake It Out and Wash
Once most burrs were gone, we shook the clothes outside really hard. That leaves nothing left.
Then we washed them on a gentle cycle to freshen them up.
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How to Remove Burrs from Wool and Fleece
Removing burrs from wool or fleece is harder than from regular fabric. These materials are burr magnets.
If you’ve got expensive winter wear, it’s worth taking your time here.
These methods won’t ruin the fabric, but they do take a little patience.
For Wool
- Go slow. We used tweezers and gently picked out each burr.
- Avoid pulling too hard, wool can stretch or rip.
- If needed, a soft toothbrush helped us work burrs out of thick wool without damaging it.
For Fleece
- Rubber gloves worked best. We rubbed in one direction, and burrs started clumping up and lifting off.
- After that, a lint roller caught anything we missed.
- Be careful around the seams and edges those spots collect the most burrs.
How to Get Sticky Burrs Out of Clothing
Some burrs are sharper or coated in sticky residue. They’re the worst!
If you’re asking how to get sticky burrs out of clothing, here’s what worked for us.
Sticky burrs are frustrating, but don’t rush. Slow, careful work keeps your clothes safe.
Try This:
- Use rubber gloves first to lift the loose burrs.
- For sticky or crushed burrs, use tape or tweezers to clean them up.
- An old toothbrush worked great to gently scrub burr dust or sticky parts from wool and fleece.
- After removal, wash gently in warm water to remove plant oils or residue.
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The Easiest Way to Remove Burrs from Clothing
The easiest way to remove burrs from clothing is using rubber gloves and duct tape.
Nothing else we tried worked as fast or as easily.
We rubbed down sleeves, pants, and fleece in less than 10 minutes and got nearly everything off.
It’s super satisfying to see the burrs lift with so little effort.
So if you’re short on time or just want to get it done fast, this is the combo you want.
How to Remove Burrs from Winter Clothing
Winter clothes are thick and padded, which makes burrs harder to spot and remove.
When we were figuring out how to remove burrs from winter clothes, this is what worked:
- Lay the coat or pants flat so it doesn’t move around while you work.
- Use gloves to sweep over the surface. Press harder where you feel resistance.
- Check folds, cuffs, pockets, and seams, burrs love to hide there.
- For stuck burrs, use tweezers carefully.
- Finish with a lint roller or tape to catch the last bits.
We got our jackets looking fresh again and didn’t damage the fabric.
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conclusion: how to get burrs out of clothing
I know how frustrating it is to deal with burrs in clothes after what was supposed to be a nice outdoor trip.
But now you know exactly how to get rid of burrs on clothes without stress, tools, or making it worse.
These DIY methods worked for us, and they’ll work for you too.
Whether you’re trying to figure burrs out of fleece, wool, winter coats, or just your regular hiking pants, you’ve got this.
And next time? Bring tape and gloves with you. Burrs might be stubborn, but now you’re prepared.
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