Velcro is useful for its adjustability as well as its re-usability. However, Velcro can sometimes lose its stick, wearing out long before the garment or equipment it serves has lost its usefulness. In many cases, however, Velcro can be restored to some, if not all, of its former strength with a simple cleaning of the hair, fiber, sediment or gunk that's clogging it.
Things You'll Need
Vacuum cleaner with hose
Small, stiff bristled comb
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Step 1
Examine the Velcro closely to make sure it can be renewed. If the "soft" side is worn away, or if the tiny hooks on the "rough" side have become too stretched or frayed to effectively do their job, you will not be able to refresh this Velcro and will need to replace it.
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Step 2
Pull as much lint (or other collected materials) from the Velcro as possible with your fingers. You may find that simply doing this is enough to get the Velcro working again, so test it after to see.
Step 3
Use the comb to remove hair and fibers from the rough side of the Velcro. Comb with short, tugging strokes, then turn the comb on its edge to pull it between the rows of hooks to try to grab on to threads and fibers.
Step 4
Vacuum the rough side of the Velcro using the vacuum cleaner hose. This is particularly effective if your Velcro has lost its stick due to an accumulation of dust, dirt, or sand.
Step 5
Wash both sides of the Velcro with soap and water. This will remove any gooey or sticky residue that might be gumming up the works, particularly on the soft side.
Step 6
"Fluff" the soft side of the Velcro with your comb. If the soft side has become matted, the hooks on the rough side of the Velcro can't latch on to the threads of fluff to form a bond, so teasing the soft side with your comb can help.