Tests were conducted to establish the impact of the number of grid bars on the lint lost by saw-type lint cleaners. Data indicated that the first grid bar removed primarily foreign matter and subsequent grid bars removed more lint than foreign matter. Saw-type lint cleaners have 5 to 8 grid bars, and reducing the number of grid bars (cleaning points) significantly decreased the fiber waste. For 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grid bars, material removed was 11.7, 20.3, 21.4, 27.1, and 27.6 pounds per 500 pounds of lint. About 20 million bales of cotton are produced in the U.S. annually and 4 million require less than one complete stage of lint cleaning, yet they receive a full stage. For those 4 million bales, the first cleaning point is nearly always required, and usually no more than two are needed. Lint loss can typically be reduced by 50% or more, or 10 pounds per bale of cotton. For 4 million bales with cotton at $0.75 per pound, this equates to $30,000,000 annually--for a typical gin processing 25,000 bales per year, this is about $200,000. About 10 million bales require less than two complete lint cleaners for a potential savings of about 7 pounds per bale or $50 million annually.