How to Effectively Remove Pills from a Wool Sweater ?

Introduction

The unsightly pilling that appears on wool sweaters is the nightmare of many owners of wool sweaters, a true essential in your wardrobe. These little balls of fluff are not only unsightly but also give an impression of poor quality to the garment.

Fortunately, there are simple and effective solutions to overcome this common problem. In this article, we will explain to you why pilling occurs and above all how to get rid of pilling without damaging your favorite sweater. We will also give you some useful tips to avoid their training.

Why do pills appear on sweaters ?

First of all, it is important to understand the origin of the phenomenon in order to better combat it. Pills form because of friction between the fibers making up the sweater. Under the effect of repeated friction, the animal hairs from which the woolen thread comes escape the fabric and clump together into small balls .

Several factors favor the appearance of pilling:

• The quality of the wool: the finer it is, the more the sweater will tend to pill. Cashmere, for example, is much less prone to pilling.

• The wearing of clothing: areas of friction such as the armpits, stomach or back are more affected.

• The washing: an aggressive program, bad washing or too fast spinning damage the fabric.

• drying: too hot air from the dryer weakens the fibers.

• storage: folding or hanging stretches the sweater and wears out the fabric.

Thus, a sweater 100% wool, worn and washed very regularly, risks pilling quickly if it is not treated with care. Fortunately, it is possible to intervene to resolve the problem.

Also read: Fluffy coat: what to do ?

Methods and tools for removing pilling from a wool sweater

Several techniques allow you to get rid of unsightly pilling, without damaging the precious garment. We will present to you the most effective ones:

Using a razor

This is certainly the simplest and most practical method for removing pilling from a wool sweater. It consists of delicately passing the razor blade over the surface of the fabric to cut the pilling level.

Position your sweater flat on a table and choose a razor with a new blade. Use slow movements from top to bottom to shave off pilling without damaging the stitches. This technique is suitable for all types of wool.

Using tweezers

The tweezers allow you to pluck pills one by one, for a very precise result. Use fine tweezers and gently grasp each pill at its base before pulling sharply to extract it completely.

This method requires more time but leaves no trace. It is preferred for fragile fabrics such as cashmere.

Also read: Why a cashmere sweater pillsl ?

Using curlers

The plastic curlers are perfect for getting rid of very pilled areas on a wool sweater. Their pins will allow you to untangle clumped fluff.

Simply wrap strands of wool around the curlers and roll them over the surface of the sweater to catch the pilling. A simple and effective gesture to restore a smooth appearance to the garment in a few minutes.

Using sandpaper

sandpaper, also called emery cloth, can be used to remove stubborn pills. Its abrasive surface makes it possible to eliminate pilling by friction.

Choose a fine grain (120 for example), cut a piece the size of your hand and gently rub the areas affected by pilling. This grandma's tip works wonders on pilled knits!

Using an anti-pilling comb

The comb is a simple but formidable tool against pilling on a wool sweater. Take a fine-toothed comb and pass it methodically over the entire surface of the garment.

The teeth will allow you to untangle the pills and extract them from the fabric without damaging it. Use this technique for delicate fibers like alpaca or mohair.

Using a sponge

Finally, let's not forget the good old dishwashing sponge! Moisten it and gently rub it on the pilled areas of your sweater. Its micro-reliefs will dislodge pills and stick them to the foam.

Rinse the sponge regularly under cold water to remove accumulated lint. It is a soft and natural method that is suitable for even the most fragile wools.

Also read: How to avoid pilling on a new sweater ?

Tips to prevent pilling on sweaters

To ensure that your wool sweaters stay impeccable for longer, it is important to adopt the right actions. Here are some tips to prevent the appearance of pilling:

Choice of sweater material

• Choose robust wools such as cashmere or mohair, which are much less prone to pilling.

• Avoid models that are too thin, especially those in merino, which tend to fade quickly.

• Cotton and synthetic fibers are interesting alternatives because they do not pill.

Adapted washing techniques

• Wash your sweater by hand or choose a program short and soft (wool, delicate).

• Use a special wool liquid detergent, without enzymes or optical brighteners.

• Prefer a slow spin (400 rpm maximum) to protect the fibers.

Daily maintenance of the sweater

• Gently brushing the sweater with a adhesive brush helps remove lint and small beginnings of pilling on a daily basis.

• Passing the vacuum cleaner on the garment inside out removes dust and lint.

• Using a pil remover roller regularly prevents the formation of large pills.

• Washing the sweater in cold water and Marseille soap after each wear avoids accumulation.

Proper storage of the sweater

• Let the sweater dry flat on a smooth surface, without stretching it.

• Use a cotton bag to store the sweater so it keeps its shape.

• Avoid folding your sweater: prefer to roll it to avoid marks.

• Store sweaters in a temperate cupboard (18-21°C), away from humidity.

Conclusion

Pilling is a common problem when you own wool knit clothing. Fortunately, it is possible to easily eliminate this unsightly problem with a few simple steps, without damaging the precious sweater.

The ideal is above all to adopt the right reflexes to prevent their appearance: suitable material, gentle washing, flat drying and adequate storage. This way, your wool sweaters will remain impeccable for a very long time.

So don't be afraid of pilling and take care of your clothes with our advice! Your wardrobe will thank you.

FAQ

How to recover a pilling sweater ?

Several techniques allow you to recover a pilling sweater that is starting to pill: use a razor, tweezers, curlers, paper glass or a comb. These methods eliminate pilling without damaging the garment.

How to remove pills easily ?

The quickest and simplest way to remove pills is to use a razor using slow movements from top to bottom. The blade will shave away pills in minutes without damaging the fabric.

How to stop pilling ?

To stop the appearance of pilling, you must adopt the right maintenance procedures: wash by hand or in a wool machine, dry flat, brush and dust the sweater regularly and store it well folded in a cool wardrobe .

How to remove lint from a sweater ?

You can remove lint from a sweater with a damp sponge, a pill removal roller, a fine comb or even by vacuuming the item of clothing turned inside out. These techniques remove lint without damaging the fabric.

How to remove pills from a wool coat ?

On a wool coat, it is preferable to use a gentle method such as a comb or a damp sponge to remove pilling without weakening the fabric. Fine sandpaper can also be used for stubborn pills.

How to remove lint from black clothing ?

On a black garment, you can use a damp sponge, pumice stone, tape or even a block of eraser to remove lint by simple friction. These techniques are particularly suitable because they do not bleed.

How to remove lint from jogging pants ?

To remove lint from jogging pants, it is best to avoid abrasive methods which could damage the fabric. You can use a lice comb or adhesive tape by passing it over the clothing. The ideal is to adopt the right actions to avoid this problem: wash by hand or in machine on a gentle program, air dry and do not crease the jogging pants too much.

How to remove lint from a sweater ?

Several tips allow you to remove lint and avoid damage on a sweater: use a pumice stone, a fine comb , gum or even roll up the sweater on itself and vacuum . It is best to wash the sweater by hand and dry it flat to limit the formation of pilling.

Updated October 31, 2023