How to prevent lint and remove pilling from a coat?

Understanding the pilling phenomenon

Pilling refers to the appearance of small balls or lint on the surface of clothing. This unpleasant phenomenon particularly affects materials such as wool or cotton.

When two textile surfaces are in regular friction, threads will tend to detach from the textile fibers and form pilling. coats, often subject to friction on the shoulders with a bag or shoulder straps, are particularly affected.

Synthetic fibers such as fleece or acrylic are also sensitive to the phenomenon of pilling. Static electricity promotes the accumulation of lint on the surface of the fabric.

Also read: Do polyester coats pill?

Prevention: avoid the appearance of pilling on clothes

To prevent the phenomenon of pilling, it is recommended to adopt certain precautions:

Precautions to take when washing

When washing clothes sensitive to pilling, such as wool coats, it is recommended to:

• Wash by hand in lukewarm water
• Use a suitable detergent, preferably in powder
• Avoid washing with other rough textiles
• Choose a short program at low temperature
• Air dry rather than tumble dry

These tips will help preserve the softness of textile fibers and avoid the phenomenon of tangling which causes unsightly pilling.

The role of backpacks and shoulder straps

For coats, regular use of a backpack or shoulder strap is often the cause of the appearance of lint on friction areas.

It is recommended to alternate shoulders when wearing a crossbody and not to carry your bag directly on your coat. You can use a cloth or special protection to limit friction with the shoulder strap.

Plush toys are not inevitable. With the right tools and techniques, your coat will stay impeccable season after season.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

How to react to a fluffy coat?

When your coat begins to show unsightly areas of pilling, there are several techniques that can effectively address this problem and get rid of the pilling .

Opt for the razor to remove pills

Using a razor is a simple and effective technique for removing unwanted lint. Simply pass the razor delicately a few millimeters from the surface of the fabric, in the opposite direction of the stitches. This method is suitable for most textiles.

Using tweezers against lint

The tweezers are very useful for removing stubborn pills one by one. Its precision allows it to act only on the fibers that protrude without damaging the fabric. However, be careful with fine mesh which could be damaged.

The sandpaper method for wool coats

On a wool coat, you can use a sheet of sandpaper to remove unsightly pilling. Gently rub the surface of the garment with the sandpaper to remove lint without damaging the fabric.

Using pumice to remove pilling

The pumice stone is very useful for restoring softness to a fluffy coat. Simply rub the areas affected by pilling gently with this special stone. Its texture helps eliminate unwanted lint without damaging the fabric.

A well-maintained coat is a coat that lasts. Don't let stuffed animals shorten his life.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

The importance of good maintenance to prevent pilling

To keep your coats soft and smooth for as long as possible, regular maintenance is key.

The ideal is to brush your coats regularly using a soft brush to remove lint and dust before they become embedded in the fabric.

You can also use a adhesive roller from time to time to capture unwanted fibers.

Finally, at the first signs of linting, react quickly with the techniques presented previously to prevent the phenomenon from getting worse. Your coat will quickly regain its smooth and soft appearance!

The different techniques for removing pilling from a sweater

sweaters and knitwear are also very prone to pilling, which can harm their appearance, particularly wool sweaters . Fortunately, there are simple techniques to effectively remove these unsightly pills.

The razor technique for a fluffy sweater

As with a coat, gently passing a razor against the grain helps remove unwanted lint. This technique works on most pulls, provided you remain very superficial.

The role of the special wool brush in eliminating pilling

The clothing brushes designed especially for delicate textiles such as wool or cashmere are very effective against pilling. Their soft bristles allow lint to be dislodged without damaging the mesh of the pull.

Also read: Why is my cashmere sweater pilling?

Manage the special case of linting scarves

scarves and neck warmers are accessories that are particularly sensitive to the phenomenon of linting. There are a few tips to remedy the problem.

Tips for removing pilling from a wool scarf

On a wool scarf, you can use duct tape to capture unwanted lint. A soft clothing brush or even a lice comb will also work wonders.

Keep a soft, lint-free scarf: our advice

To preserve the softness of your scarf, wash it as little as possible, by hand or in a net, with a suitable detergent. Avoid drying that is too hot which will dry out the fibers. Fold your scarf rather than rolling it and store it flat to avoid chafing.

New clothing and pilling: how to avoid this inconvenience?

When we purchase a new item of clothing, we would like it to retain its soft and smooth appearance for as long as possible. Unfortunately, some synthetic or fine knit models tend to pilling quickly.

Luckily, there are some perfect tips to prevent the appearance of unsightly lint.

How to avoid pilling on a new sweater?

To avoid pilling on a new sweater, before wearing it for the first time, wash the garment by hand in cold water with detergent suitable for delicate textiles.

Then, avoid putting it directly in the washing machine, the short program and the reduced spin speed better preserve the fibers.

To dry the garment, use a terry towel to gently absorb the water then air dry away from the sun . Tumble drying, even at low temperature, risks damaging synthetic fibers.

For storage, fold the item of clothing and place it flat in your wardrobe rather than on a hanger. This will avoid the friction responsible for lint.

Finally, in case of stubborn lint, place your sweater in the freezer to restore structure and vigor to the fiber.

With these few delicate gestures, your garment will keep its appearance for longer!

Also read: How to recover a pilling sweater already?

Conclusion

The phenomenon of linting affects many everyday items of clothing such as coats, sweaters and scarves. Several simple techniques can effectively eliminate these unsightly pills: razor, clothes brush, pumice stone.

To prevent the appearance of lint, adopting good reflexes is essential: washing by hand, drying flat, alternating clothes. Regular maintenance will allow you to extend the life of your favorite clothes!

Method	Description
Razor	Use a razor to remove lint. Be sure to use it gently to avoid damaging the fabric.
Adhesive roller	Run the roller over the garment to pick up the lint. You can also wrap duct tape around your hand, sticky side out.
Adhesive tape	Apply it to the areas to be treated, press lightly then remove it to remove the lint.
Pumice	Lightly rub a pumice stone over the affected areas to remove lint. Use it carefully so as not to damage the fabric.
Toothbrush	An old toothbrush can be used to gently brush away lint.

FAQ

How to stop having lint on a coat?

To no longer have lint on a coat, wash it by hand in cold water with a suitable detergent. Dry it flat in the open air. Brush it regularly with a soft brush and use an adhesive roller to capture lint.

How do you avoid getting lint on a black coat?

On a black coat, the fluff is even more visible. Wash and dry it carefully. Use a black clothes brush and a razor to remove them. Alternate your coat with other clothing to limit wear.

How to remove pilling from a wool coat?

On a wool coat, rub gently with a sheet of sandpaper or pumice stone to remove pilling. You can also use a razor in the opposite direction of the stitches.

How do I stop my jacket from lint?

To keep a jacket lint-free, wash it by hand and dry it flat. Brush it regularly with a brush for delicate clothes. If necessary, use a razor or tape to remove lint one by one.

How to deal with stuffed clothing?

When a garment starts to pill, react quickly. Use a razor, pumice stone or even adhesive tape to remove the lint one by one. Wash and dry the garment carefully to avoid making the problem worse.

How to remove lint from a sweater?

On a sweater, you can use a razor or a special wool clothes brush to remove unsightly lint. Avoid washing your sweater too frequently and dry it flat to limit the appearance of new pilling.

How to remove pills from a sweater?

To remove pills from a sweater, use a clothes brush for delicate textiles. You can also gently pass a razor in the opposite direction of the stitches. Hand wash your sweater in cold water to prevent linting.

Interior of coat that fluffs: what to do?

When the inside of your coat starts to fluff, there are several solutions available to you. First, you can use a razor. For more delicate materials, such as cashmere, it is advisable to opt for an adhesive roller. Finally, another solution is to use a cold tumble dryer. This method is particularly effective for clothing made of synthetic material.

How to remove lint from black clothing?

Removing lint from black clothing can be a little trickier due to the strong contrast between the lint and the fabric. Here are some techniques:

• Adhesive roller: This method is simple and effective. Simply run the roller over the garment to pick up the lint. You can make your own roll by wrapping duct tape around your hand, sticky side out.

• Adhesive tape: If you don't have an adhesive roll, use duct tape. Apply it to the areas to be treated, press lightly then remove it to remove the lint.

• Razor: A razor can be used to remove lint. Be sure to use it gently to avoid damaging the fabric.

• Pumice stone: Lightly rubbing a pumice stone over the affected areas can help remove lint. Be sure to use the pumice stone gently so as not to damage the fabric.

• Toothbrush: An old toothbrush can also be used to gently brush away lint.

Mis à jour le 23 janvier 2024