Practical guide to avoiding pilling on a new sweater

Fortunately, there are simple tips to avoid this inconvenience, to get rid of pilling and keep your new sweaters in impeccable condition. In this article, we will explain to you why pills form and give you our best tips for preventing them on your new clothes.

Understanding the phenomenon of pilling on clothing

pills are tiny lints that break away from fabric and remain attached to its surface. They are the result of rubbing of the fabric on itself or on other materials while wearing, washing or drying the garment.

This friction phenomenon is accentuated by the composition of the fabric. Synthetic fibers like acrylic or polyester tend to pilling more easily than cotton or wool.

humidity and heat are also factors favoring the appearance of pilling. They weaken the fibers which then tend to detach from the fabric under the effect of friction.

Also read: How to remove pilling from a wool coat ?

Why is my new sweater pilling ?

Several reasons can explain the formation of pilling on a new sweater:

• The quality of the fabric. A sweater made from cheap, poor quality material will be more likely to pill.

• The choice of material. As we have seen, some synthetic fibers pill more easily.

• The wash program. A cycle that is too long, at high speed or with a high temperature will prematurely damage the fibers.

• The use of bleaching agents such as bleach which weaken the fabric.

• machine drying which causes friction and heat.

It is therefore essential to choose your sweaters carefully and to adopt appropriate washing methods to avoid the early appearance of pilling.

Also read: How to recover a pilling sweater ?

Materials likely to pill

Cashmere and pilling

Known for its exceptional softness, cashmere is unfortunately very sensitive to the phenomenon of pilling. Cashmere fiber is particularly fragile and tends to disintegrate under friction.

Even when washing it by hand and drying it flat, a cashmere sweater will need to be brushed regularly to remove any pilling that has appeared.

Also read: Why is my cashmere sweater pilling ?

The importance of fabric quality

No matter the material, the quality of the yarn used to knit the garment will be decisive. A higher quality thread will resist wear better and limit the appearance of pilling over time.

Always choose sweaters made from noble materials, such as cashmere, virgin wool or combed cotton. The price will be higher but you will avoid the inconvenience of a cheap clothing.

Also read: How to wash a cashmere sweater ?

How to identify a lint material ?

Before purchasing, several elements can alert you to the probability of a fabric to plush:

• A synthetic material such as acrylic or polyester

• A very light sweater, a sign of a sparse knit

• Distended mesh, not very tight

• A soft, almost silky clothing (often synonymous with fragile fibers)

• A suspiciously low sale price

Clothing brands and pilling risk

Certain manufacturers have a reputation for producing quality clothing, dense and resistant, which limits pilling over time. Others are known for using inexpensive materials. At the same price, it is better to favor a brand renowned for the durability of its items.

Also read: How to remove pilling from a wool sweater ?

Preventing the appearance of pilling on a new sweater

To preserve the intact appearance of your new sweater, adopt the following reflexes from its first wash:

• Hand wash or delicate program in machine at low temperature

• Using a detergent soft or special wool

• Dry flat, never tumble dry

• Ironing if necessary at low temperature with a cloth

• Fold and store the garment carefully to avoid friction

These precautions will help minimize the appearance of pilling and keep the beautiful appearance of your sweater for longer.

Also read: Do polyester coats pill ?

Tips to avoid pilling when washing

Washing is a risky step for pilling. Here are some tips to limit their training during this phase:

Hand or machine wash: what to choose ?

Hand washing is ideal because it preserves the fibers as much as possible. But it takes time!

In the machine, preferably use the program wool or delicate at low temperature. Avoid intensive and overly long cycles which damage the fabric.

Using a protective net for laundry

Slided inside a net, your sweater will be protected from friction against the laundry during washing. This protection effectively limits the appearance of pilling.

The importance of drying in preventing pilling

machine drying is very abrasive and promotes the phenomenon of friction between the fibers.

To avoid pilling, always dry your sweaters flat, on a smooth, clean surface.

Also read: How to remove lint from black clothes ?

Removing pills from a new sweater: techniques and tips

Despite all your precautions, pilling appeared on your sweater ? Here are some effective ways to remove them:

Using an anti-pilling razor

Specially designed to remove pilling without damaging the fabric, these razors equipped with curved blades are very easy to use. Simply pass the blade gently over the garment.

Removing lint by hand: is it effective ?

Removing small lint one by one with your fingers can work on clothing that has barely been touched. But it will require a lot of attention to detail and patience to get rid of a very pilled sweater.

This method is quite tedious and has the disadvantage of damaging the fabric due to friction. We recommend using a razor or anti-pilling comb instead for greater effectiveness.

Use of the anti-pilling comb

This special comb has very fine metal teeth which capture the pilling as they move. Slightly longer than the razor, it allows you to cover large areas quickly and remove as much lint as possible.

Using the freezer to prevent pilling

Putting your sweater in the cold freezer for a few hours before wearing it helps to harden the fibers and limit friction. This is an effective tip to avoid the appearance of the first pilling on new clothing.

Also read: Do polyester coats pill ?

Use and storage of new sweaters

To preserve their intact appearance, handle your sweaters with care:

How to wear and store sweaters to avoid pilling

• Avoid jewelry and accessories which could snag the fabric

• Remove rings and bracelets before putting on a fragile sweater

• Fold and store your clothes flat, never on hangers

• Use a slip cover or a pillowcase as protection in the wardrobe

Accessories and habits to avoid

Certain everyday accessories weaken the fibers of sweaters:

• backpacks and shoulder bags can wear out the fabric

• Jacket zippers

• Wearing jewelry such as brooches

• Long or greasy nails can snag clothing

snuggle hoodie Turquoise

Regular maintenance to keep a new sweater without pilling

To remove the inevitable pilling and keep an impeccable sweater, proceed to:

Washing frequency and gentle care products

• Wash your sweaters less frequently, if possible by hand

• Use a special soft detergentwool

• A baby shampoo will also make an excellent washing product

Brushing and dry cleaning techniques

• Gently brush your sweater with a clothes brush or a soft-bristled brush

• Use a adhesive roller to remove lint between washes

• Dry cleaning can also be suitable for very delicate clothing

With a little care, your favorite sweaters will stay soft and silky for a long time!

Conclusion

Pilling is the nightmare of many knitwear owners. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid them with simple tips. First of all, a good choice of material and brand can protect you against this unpleasant phenomenon.

Then wash your new sweaters carefully, by hand or in a delicate machine, and always dry them flat. If, despite everything, lint has appeared, you can effectively remove it using accessories such as the razor or the anti-pilling comb.

Store your clothes carefully and brush them regularly to remove pilling.With a little care, you can keep your favorite sweaters soft and silky for a very long time!

FAQ

Why all sweaters pill ?

Certain materials such as acrylic or synthetic fibers tend to pill more easily. Humidity, heat and friction damage the fibers which then come off in the form of fluff. Even beautiful materials like cashmere can pill over time.

What material so that a sweater does not pill ?

High-quality virgin wool, cotton and cashmere are more resistant to wear and reduce pilling. Choosing a brand renowned for its dense knits also guarantees better durability over time.

How to remove lint from a sweater ?

The anti-pilling razor and comb are very effective. The adhesive roller also allows you to remove lint between two washes. You can also use a soft brush or gently remove pilling by hand.

How to remove pills from a wool sweater ?

On a wool sweater, preferably use an anti-pilling razor using light, gentle movements. The clothes brush or the special comb may also be suitable for removing lint without damaging the stitches.

How to remove lint from coat ?

On a coat, gently passing an anti-pilling razor will give good results. You can also use an adhesive roller, pressing firmly to remove as much lint as possible.

How to prevent clothing from pilling ?

Adopt gentle washing and drying. Wash your clothes by hand or on a delicate cycle, dry them flat and avoid the washing machine. Putting in the freezer before first wearing can also help limit pilling.

How to prevent lint on a coat ?

To avoid lint on a coat, choose a model in a quality material such as cashmere or virgin wool which are more resistant to wear. Wash it by hand and lay it flat to dry. Use a razor or anti-pilling brush to maintain it.

How to avoid pilling on clothes ?

Wash your clothes at low temperature, air dry and avoid tumble drying. Choose quality materials, inspect the mesh before purchasing and machine wash delicately in a net. Store your clothes without wrinkling them and brush them regularly.

Updated December 28, 2023