Sweater that fluffs: how to remove pilling ?

Between the comfort of a women's plush sweater and the frustration of a acrylic scarf that fluffs, pilling can be a real headache for lovers of cozy clothing.

Fortunately, there are solutions to prevent pilling and preserve the appearance of your textiles. In this article, we will discuss the causes of pilling sweaters and give you tips to avoid pilling on a new sweater or to remove pilling from a freezer sweater.

We'll also share tips for avoiding mohair hair on clothing and properly caring for your fluffy scarf. So, if you're tired of constantly having to remove lint from your clothes, read on to discover our tips and tricks for a pill-free wardrobe!

What is pilling ?

A pilling is a small ball of fibers that forms on the surface of a fabric, usually due to friction and wear. Pilling is often the result of fibers coming loose from the fabric and rolling up on themselves, creating these unsightly little balls.

Pilling can affect the appearance and comfort of your clothes, but fortunately there are many methods to eliminate them and prevent their formation. We discuss them all in this article.

What are the materials and fabrics that pill ?

Certain materials and fabrics are more likely to pill than others due to their properties and the way their fibers are woven. Here are some examples of materials and fabrics that tend to pill:

1. Synthetic fibers: Textiles made from synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, polyester or nylon, are often more prone to pilling. These materials are made from artificial fibers that can shed and pill more easily than natural fibers.

2. Wool and Cashmere: Although wool and cashmere are natural fibers, they can also pill due to the nature of the fibers. Wool and cashmere fibers are relatively short and can therefore become loose and roll up to form pills.

3. Blended fabrics: Blended fabrics, which combine natural and synthetic fibers, can also be prone to pilling. Friction between different types of fibers can cause pilling.

4. Loosely knitted fabrics: Loosely knitted fabrics, such as some sweaters or scarves, may be more susceptible to pilling because the fibers have more freedom of movement and can come loose more easily.

On the other hand, materials such as high-quality cotton or tightly woven natural fiber fabrics are generally less likely to pill. By choosing clothing made from these materials and taking care to care for them properly, you can minimize the risk of pilling on your clothing.

Also read: how to shrink a sweater that is too large ?

Why does a new sweater lint ?

Responsible materials

A new sweater that fluffs is often caused by the quality of the materials used in the manufacture of the garment and its knit. Synthetic fibers like acrylic are particularly prone to pilling.For example, a acrylic scarf that fluffs or an acrylic scarf that sheds is a common problem with this type of material.

The rubbing of clothes

Pilling also forms due to the friction of clothing against each other, such as a scarf which lints on coats, on a vest, on a cardigan or other article or textile accessory. This friction causes the fibers to deteriorate and pilling to form after a few weeks of use.

How to easily remove lint from a sweater ?

Discover our tips for quickly and easily removing unsightly lint from your sweaters and preserve your pretty knits.

How to remove pills from fabric ?

There are several maintenance methods for removing pilling from fabric, here are a few:

1. Sponge Tip: Use the abrasive side of a damp sponge to gently scrub the pilling. This method is particularly effective on tight-knit sweaters.
2. Simple hairbrush: Run a hairbrush over the sweater to remove pilling. This quick method can also remove pet hair embedded in the fabric.
3. Adhesive tape: Wrap a piece of tape around your hand, sticky side out, and gently dab the affected areas to remove pilling. If you have an adhesive brush at home, it can also be used to remove pilling by running the brush over the sweater.
4. Pumice stone: Gently rub a pumice stone on the sweater to remove pilling. This ideal solution is particularly suitable for chunky knit sweaters.

How to remove and remove pills quickly ?

To remove pills from your sweaters in the blink of an eye, here are some previous techniques:

1. Grandma's tip: Soak your sweater in cold water with liquid detergent for about thirty minutes, then rinse it. Then iron the sweater before letting it air dry. This effective method makes it possible to tighten the stitches and limit the appearance of pilling.
2. Lice comb: Use a lice comb to remove pills. Pass it over the sweater using up and down movements. This technique is a good tip for removing small balls of lint without damaging the stitches.
3. Low-tech solution: If you don't have an everyday object on hand, you can use your long nails to gently pinch the ends of the pills and remove them. This ideal option requires a little more patience, but can be useful if you don't have the tools mentioned previously.
4. Sandpaper: Another quick method for removing pilling is to use fine-grit sandpaper. Gently rub the sandpaper over the affected areas, taking care not to damage the stitches of the sweater. This technique against pilling works particularly well on thick fabrics.
5. Regular maintenance: To prevent the appearance of pilling on your sweaters, be sure to machine wash them on a gentle program and dry them in the open air, away from heat sources. Avoid using a dryer, as this can cause pilling. Also remember to wash your sweaters with terry towels, which will help remove lint when washing.

Also read: what is the difference between sweatshirt and hoodie ?

How to recover a pilling sweater with a razor anti-pilling ?

The appearance of pilling on a sweater can be a sign of poor quality or poor maintenance. Here is an anti-pilling tip to recover your favorite sweater:

1. Razor technique: Use a razor with worn blades to gently remove pilling. Pass it over the sweater using movements from top to bottom, taking care not to damage the stitches. Make sure the removable collection tray is in place to catch the pills.

By following these effective methods and taking care of your wardrobe, you can preserve the beauty of your sweaters and avoid unsightly pilling. Don’t hesitate to adapt these tips depending on the type of stitch and fabric of your sweater.

How to avoid pilling on a new sweater ?

Choose quality materials

To avoid having a sweater that loses its hair or a sweater that pills, it is important to choose quality materials. Choose natural fibers like cotton, wool or cashmere, which are less likely to pill than synthetic fibers, or a blend of these trendy natural fabrics.

Wash your sweater correctly

Washing can also play a role in pilling. To avoid pilling on a new sweater, follow the washing instructions on the label and wash the sweater inside out to reduce friction. Use a mild detergent and avoid using too much detergent.

To find out more about washing snuggle hoodie, read our article how to wash your snuggle hoodie.

Tips to prevent pilling

To prevent pilling, you can also use tips like placing the linting item in the freezer for a few hours before washing it. This technique helps firm up the fibers and reduce friction during washing.

How to prevent lint on clothes

How to remove pills from a coat ?

To remove pilling from a coat, you can follow the general tips mentioned previously, such as using a adhesive brush, 'a razor or a pumice stone. It is also important to take into account the type of material of the coat, as some techniques may be more effective than others depending on the material.

How to remove pills from a wool coat ?

To remove pilling on a wool coat, here are some specific tips:

1. Use a pilling comb or a close-toothed comb to gently brush the surface of the coat. This will remove pilling without damaging the wool fibers.

2. If you prefer to use a razor, choose a model with worn blades to avoid damaging the wool fibers. Run the razor gently over the surface of the coat to remove any pilling.

3. For more stubborn pilling, you can use a special wool brush or a piece of fine-grain sandpaper. Gently scrub the surface of the coat with the brush or sandpaper to remove pilling.

Tips for mohair clothing

Mohair is a natural fiber from the Angora goat. To avoid pilling and mohair hair on clothing, follow these tips:

• Wash mohair clothing by hand with a mild detergent in cold water.

• Avoid rubbing or twisting mohair clothing, as this can cause pilling and shedding.

• Dry mohair clothing flat and away from direct sunlight to preserve the quality of the fibers.

Caring for your acrylic scarf

To avoid problems related to an acrylic scarf that fluffs or sheds hair, follow these care tips:

• Wash the scarf by hand or machine on a gentle cycle and detergent suitable for delicate textiles.

• Dry the scarf flat and avoid hanging it to avoid deforming the fibers.

• Use a pill shaver or special brush to remove pills and hairs that form on the acrylic scarf.

• A necklace is generally easier to care for than a scarf

Making fluff on purpose for a sweater: our effective techniques

If you want to intentionally create fluff on a sweater for an aesthetic effect, here are some effective techniques:

1. Use a stiff-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the sweater along the grain.

2. Use a pumice stone to gently rub the surface of the sweater, creating lint.

3. Gently rub the sweater with fine-grit sandpaper to create controlled lint.

This will of course not be the case for our collection of snuggle hoodie, poncho blanket polar, pilou pilou and dressing gown bathrobe but some are fans of this method.

Women's teddy sweater: how to choose the right model ?

When choosing a women's teddy sweater, take into account the following criteria to ensure you choose a quality model that will not pill:

• Choose natural fibers like cotton, wool or cashmere, which are less likely to pill than synthetic fibers.

• Check the density of the fabric: a denser, tighter fabric will generally be more resistant to pilling.

• Examine the finishes of the sweater, such as the seams and hems, to make sure they are strong and well made.

• Pay attention to the care instructions for how to machine wash and properly care for the sweater to prevent pilling.

Clothes that fluff: the freezer tip

Remove pills from sweater with freezer

The freezer can be a valuable ally in the fight against fluffy clothes. Here are some tips for using the freezer for this purpose:

1. Before washing a linting item of clothing in the machine, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a few hours. This will help firm up the fibers and reduce friction when washing.

2. For mohair or cashmere clothing, put it in the freezer overnight to reduce shedding and pilling.

3. If you have a sweater with already formed pills, put it in the freezer for a few hours before using a pill shaver or special brush carefully to remove the pills more easily.

By following these tips and tricks, you can reduce pilling and lint problems on your sweaters and other clothing. Consistent and proper maintenance and the choice of quality materials are essential to preserve the appearance and durability of your clothes. With patience and rigorous maintenance according to our program and our method, you no longer leave anything to chance.

Questions about your sweaters, scarves and textile fibers ? Send us an email for advice

If you have any questions about caring for your wool sweater, managing your wardrobe, or using a hair comb lice to remove pilling, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is available to provide you with personalized advice on the care and preservation of the knit of your clothing.

Whether you want to know how to prevent the end of your scarves from fraying, whether you can put your wool sweater in the dryer, or even how to use a video to learn how to remove lint balls, we are here to help.

We can also guide you on the best way to keep your clothes soft, whether by protecting them from cold or heat , or by giving you tips to avoid pilling. If you're curious about our community's thoughts on clothing care, check out the votes on our blog posts and the comments left by other readers.

Please feel free to email us if you have any specific questions like using the freezer to prevent lint, if you are looking for advice on the best methods to care for your favorite clothes or simply if you are wondering why you need to have a snuggle hoodie. Our team will be happy to answer you and help you preserve the beauty and longevity of your wardrobe.

Updated January 23 2024