Lint is the common name for visible accumulations of textile fibers and other materials, usually found on and around clothing). Lint comes from fabric fibers that are broken apart from clothing due to heat and friction from washing and drying cycles, as well as daily wear and tear. Lint on clothing is generally considered unattractive and unprofessional. Furthermore, lint may be abrasive and may damage the clothing itself. For these reasons, visible lint is often removed with a lint remover or clothes brush). The accumulation of lint during clothes cleaning can be reduced with the use of a fabric softener, which reduces the amount of static electricity on clothing surfaces and therefore prevents the lint from sticking to the clothes). Dryer lint is lint generated by the drying of clothes in a clothes dryer; it typically accumulates on a dryer screen. Underwriters Laboratories recommends cleaning the lint filter after every cycle for safety and energy efficiency. Failure to clean the lint filter is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires).