Can I Compost Vacuum Cleaner Lint?
(From the Household waste category | 5 comments - join the conversation)
You might be able to compost vacuum cleaner lint – it just depends what the lint is made from.
Regular hoover lint is usually a combination of dust, pet fur & human hair, skin flakes, bits of soil & other dirt etc – that can all go in the compost heap. Tip it out of the bag (if it’s in one) so it can spread around and breakdown quicker. (You also might be able to reuse the bag.)
However, if you’ve used any chemicals during the cleaning process (such as carpet fresheners), you should probably avoid composting it for risk of causing a chemical overload in your heap.
If you’ve also just got new carpets with a high synthetic fibre content, they are likely to be shedding loose fibres for a while – probably best not to add those loads to your compost heap until they’ve settled down a bit. Fibres from wool/wool-heavy carpets are fine though.
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I found your website while searching for something related to my niche and just wanted to let you know what a great idea for a website this is :) Not a big pro at composting – usually only leaves until now, but thanks to your site i will try a few more things. Great work!
Thanks for sharing. I didn’t know I can put my Hoover bag insides to the compost pile. Thought the dust is too unnatural since you can’t see it in the nature outside.
I’ve been warned not to compost vacuum cleaner dust if you live in a city because of the amount of synthetic junk we bring in on our shoes–I’m advised that vehicle tyres are generally made from plastic, and fine particles cover the surfaces on which we walk. Anyone have any scientific data on this?
Great site, btw!
I know you can theoretically compost vacuum dirt, but what of the heavy metals that collect in household dust? For the time being, I opt not to compost it for this reason.
I do compost my vacuums dirt and have so for many years with no ill effects. I always toss and tumble my compost right after adding anything from the vacuum.