How to Get Velcro to Stick Again: Cleaning Tips

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Freshen up your Velcro strips with common household items

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger, BA Reviewed by James Sears

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Cleaning the Hoop Side
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• Fluffing the Loop Side
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• When to Replace Velcro
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• Preventing Velcro from Getting Dirty
|
• Video
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• Expert Q&A

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Usually, when Velcro loses its stickiness, it’s because it’s clogged up with lint, hair, and other debris. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to toss out the whole item—you can often get Velcro to stick again by cleaning it. We spoke to professional cleaner James Sears to teach you how to clean the scratchy side and the soft side of Velcro, as well as how to replace it if need be.

How do you make Velcro sticky again?

Professional cleaner James Sears recommends cleaning Velcro with a small brush, like a toothbrush with stiff bristles. You can also pull out dirt, hair, and fuzz with a pair of tweezers, a needle, or strong tape. Try cleaning the hook side first, since that’s usually where most debris accumulates.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Cleaning the Hoop Side

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1. 
   1
   Pull out hair, dirt, and fuzz by hand or with tweezers. Pinch any large pieces of matter that are caught in the Velcro between your fingernails and pull them out. If there’s any lint or debris you can’t reach with your fingers, try a pair of tweezers instead.

   • Be careful not to pull on the hooks with the tweezers. You might straighten the hooks, causing the Velcro to be less sticky.
   • This approach is best for smaller pieces of Velcro, but it can be a little time-consuming for larger strips or Velcro that has a lot of embedded debris.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   James Sears is a cleaning professional and the leader of the customer happiness team at Neatly, a cleaning company based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. He and the team have 9 years of experience.
2. 
   2
   Lift out embedded fuzz with a pin or needle. Slide the pointy end between the rows of hooks underneath the debris, then gently lift up to loosen whatever’s embedded in the Velcro. Work in the same direction as the rows of hooks are facing on the Velcro.

   • You can use any small, thin, needle-like object for this method, including a needle, sewing pin, or toothpick. Just make sure that it is sturdy enough to pull out debris without bending.
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3. 
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   Pull off dirt and fuzz with a strong adhesive or another piece of Velcro. Sometimes tape or another adhesive will lift out dirt that’s stuck to the Velcro hooks. If you’re using duct tape (or something similar), make a loop out of the tape and slide it over your fingers. Then, press the tape firmly against the Velcro hooks and lift straight up to pull out the fuzz.

   • If you have a lint roller, try passing it over the Velcro to pull out dirt and fuzz.
   • If you have another piece of Velcro, press the hook side to the piece of Velcro you’re trying to clean to see if that helps lift out fuzz and hair.
4. 
   4
   Scrape away dirt and fuzz with a fine-toothed comb, stiff brush, or file card. Sears says, “If hair or lint is stuck in your Velcro, clean it with a small brush, like a toothbrush with stiff bristles.” In addition to cleaning, using a brush can also help bend straightened hoops back down so they’re able to grab the loops again. Besides a toothbrush, other good options include:

   • Wire pet brush (slicker brush)
   • Sturdy fine-tooth comb
   • File card (wire brush made for cleaning wood files)
   • Cutting edge of a tape dispenser
   • Tile cleaning brush
5. 
   5
   Remove sticky substances with rubbing alcohol. If you have something sticky stuck on the Velcro, dab on a little rubbing alcohol with a clean cloth. Let it sit for a moment to dissolve the sticky substance, then scrub the hooks clean with the cloth or an old toothbrush. Let the Velcro air-dry when you’re finished.

   • You can also try soapy water, but be sure the water won’t damage whatever the Velcro is attached to.
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Section 2 of 4:

Fluffing the Loop Side

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1. 
   1
   Press tape over the soft loop side to remove fuzz. The soft side of Velcro doesn’t usually pick up a ton of dirt, hair, and lint—but it can happen. If it does, wrap a piece of duct tape or strong packing tape around your hand, sticky-side-out. Then, press the tape against the soft side of the Velcro to lift out any gunk.

   • You can also run a lint roller over the loops.
2. 
   2
   Brush the loops to raise the nap. One of the most common issues that affects the fluffy side of Velcro is that the loops become compressed over time. That can keep them from catching the hooks, causing the Velcro not to stick. Gently rub the soft side of the Velcro with an old toothbrush or another stiff brush to fluff up the loops again.

   • If you used a brush on the hook side of the Velcro, you can use the same one on the loop side. Just be sure to brush gently so you don’t stretch out the loops—that can permanently damage the Velcro.
3. 
   3
   Carefully pass a lighter near the loop fibers if they’re stretched out. The loop side of Velcro can get stretched out over time. You may be able to curl them back up by running a lighter near the fibers—but don’t actually touch the Velcro with the flame, or it will melt. Just pass the flame close enough to the fibers that they curl up a little. This may help the loops catch the hooks again.

   • Usually, when the loop side gets stretched out, it’s time to replace the Velcro, but this might help buy you a little more time.
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Section 3 of 4:

When to Replace Velcro

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1. 
   Replace Velcro with new hook-and-loop closures if cleaning doesn’t work. It is possible that over time, your Velcro will stop being sticky because the hooks and loops are damaged. In this case, cleaning will only do so much, and you may have to replace the Velcro if you cannot restore its grabbing power. Use a seam ripper to carefully remove the old Velcro, then attach new strips of hook-and-loop (or Velcro) in its place.

   • Many people prefer stitch-on hook-and-loop replacement because it’s more durable, but if you’d prefer to skip the sewing, adhesive hook-and-loop replacement is also available.

Section 4 of 4:

Preventing Velcro from Getting Dirty

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1. 
   1
   Keep Velcro tabs closed as much as possible so they don’t collect debris. Close the hook and loop fasteners on Velcro whenever you are not using it. This will protect the hooks from picking up stray matter like lint, hair, and other debris.

   • Velcro is designed to be sticky and will easily grab onto things like blankets or clothes from which it will pick up lint.
2. 
   2
   Clean Velcro regularly to prevent buildup. Regularly removing dirt, hair, and other debris from your Velcro strips may help them last longer. Use whatever method you like best, from a wire brush to a pair of tweezers—just try to avoid buildup that can damage the Velcro fibers.
3. 
   3
   Close Velcro tabs on garments before washing them. According to Sears, “You can clean most Velcro items by machine washing them. Just be sure to fasten the Velcro together to prevent the collection of further debris, hair, and lint.”

   • Wash garments that contain Velcro separately from other items when possible.
4. 
   4
   Let Velcro air dry instead of putting it in the dryer. Washers and dryers are full of lint that Velcro attracts. Leave garments that contain Velcro to air dry so the Velcro doesn't pick up lint from other clothing and fabric items.

   • If air drying isn't possible, then keep the Velcro tabs closed and dry the garments in the dryer separately from other items.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How can I revive Velcro?

  

  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional

  James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

  

  James Sears

  House Cleaning Professional

  Expert Answer

  If there's debris caught in the Velcro strip, try cleaning it out with a toothbrush.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  How do you clean Velcro so it sticks again?

  

  Drew Hawkins1

  Community Answer

  Cleaning Velcro is a super effective way to revive it and make it stick again. It's also pretty easy to do. Start by pulling out loose lint and other stuff that's caught in the Velcro with your fingers. Then, hold the Velcro steady and use a pair of tweezers to pull out pieces of debris and other junk that's caught further down in the hooks of the Velcro. But, be careful not to grab and pull on the hooks with the tweezers or you could damage them and cause your Velcro to be less sticky. Then, slide a plastic, metal, or wooden comb along the rows of hooks to scrape out stubborn lint and other debris that you can’t pluck or lift out. Finish up by brushing the Velcro in 1 direction parallel to the rows of hooks to get out any remaining pieces of lint and other matter.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 14 Helpful 5
• Question

  How do I keep Velcro clean?

  

  Drew Hawkins1

  Community Answer

  The best way to keep your Velcro sticking is to prevent it from collecting dirt and debris in the first place. Close the hook and loop fasteners on Velcro whenever you aren't using it to protect the hooks from picking up hair, lint, and other junk. Whenever you wash the Velcro, keep the hook and loop fasteners closed when you wash Velcro to keep them from picking up stuff floating around in the washing machine. If you can, let the Velcro air dry instead of using your dryer, which are full of lint that Velcro attracts. If you need to use a dryer, keep the tabs closed and try to dry the Velcro separately from other items.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 18 Helpful 6

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