How to Remove Pilling from Clothes?
27 Mar 2024
How often have you put on new clothes, washed them, and gotten them dirty? You are not alone! Rolling clothes have become a problem for many people - whether budget wearers or luxury item lovers. Daily wear, rubbing fabric against straps or belts, frequent washing - all of these can lead to the appearance of pilling. They usually appear under the arms, on the inside seams of pants, or in the cuffs. The type of fabric also plays an important role. The longer the pile and the lower the density of the fabric, the harder the rolling will be. Some materials are initially easy to mould, while others are not. The most problematic in this regard are wool (especially coarse knitwear), flannel, and almost any poor-quality fabric. We know how to know whether the novelty will go and how you can remove pilling yourself. We have chosen the simplest and most effective home methods. But you can turn to professionals if you do not want to care for your clothes. A good dry cleaner will help not only to clean things but also to remove pilling. How to remove pilling from clothes? If your favorite thing has lost a neat look, do not hurry to throw it away. With simple improvisations, you can return a beautiful appearance to worn-out things.
What Causes Fabric Pilling on Clothes?
Why do they appear at all? And what does pilling depend on? Apart from the fact that different fabrics are prone to it to a greater or lesser extent, how you wear things is also essential.
If there is constant friction from a bag on the side, your favorite sweater will likely develop lint, no matter how carefully you wear it or how well you take care of it. Collars, elbows, wrist cuffs, and armpits also become problem areas. In addition, due to the friction of materials against each other, lint on things can appear in the process of washing - if you do not follow the rules of care of fabrics and do not use special bags for washing clothes with high pilling.
If you go deeper into the theory, how the material is made is a matter. If short fibers are used in the threads, which are also weakly twisted, the free ends of these fibers cling to each other and tangle, forming small balls - pilling. They rarely occur on fabrics with long filaments and high twist and weave density.
This explains a lot about natural fabrics. But there are also synthetics - and here the questions arise: why are there pilling on it, too, given that in the production of such fabrics, artificial fibers can be created of any length? The reason is that synthetic fibers don't have the same "scales" that help them bond as natural fibers. Therefore, over time, artificial fibers can simply "stretch" from the twisted thread, which is facilitated by micro-damage to the fabric and form pilling. They are usually more strongly bonded to the overall fabric and are more difficult to remove.
If there is constant friction from a bag on the side, your favorite sweater will likely develop lint, no matter how carefully you wear it or how well you take care of it. Collars, elbows, wrist cuffs, and armpits also become problem areas. In addition, due to the friction of materials against each other, lint on things can appear in the process of washing - if you do not follow the rules of care of fabrics and do not use special bags for washing clothes with high pilling.
If you go deeper into the theory, how the material is made is a matter. If short fibers are used in the threads, which are also weakly twisted, the free ends of these fibers cling to each other and tangle, forming small balls - pilling. They rarely occur on fabrics with long filaments and high twist and weave density.
This explains a lot about natural fabrics. But there are also synthetics - and here the questions arise: why are there pilling on it, too, given that in the production of such fabrics, artificial fibers can be created of any length? The reason is that synthetic fibers don't have the same "scales" that help them bond as natural fibers. Therefore, over time, artificial fibers can simply "stretch" from the twisted thread, which is facilitated by micro-damage to the fabric and form pilling. They are usually more strongly bonded to the overall fabric and are more difficult to remove.
How to Remove Pilling?
1. Trimmer
A lint remover, or minicliner, is a special mechanical device for removing pilling from clothes. Work such gadgets from batteries or an accumulator, less often from the network. Appearance and principle of action: they resemble an electric razor: blades rotating on a shaft, a protective casing with perforations, and a collection container for cut pilling. To clean clothes with a lint remover, spread the fabric or lay it flat. Then, smoothly go through all areas with pilling, and after removing the pilling from the container. According to experts, this is one of the most effective ways. But even with a mechanical machine, it is worth being careful - with strong pressure on the fabric, sharp knives can damage the fibers.
2. Scraper
This is a tool for manual cleaning of clothes from pilling. At one end of it, there is a ribbed cutter, usually made of metal, at the other end - a wooden or plastic handle. Unlike the blade, the surface of the scraper is not sharp but somewhat prickly, so it is difficult to cut yourself on it. To clean clothes with a scraper, the thing is first spread flat or stretched to the desired area. Movements should be smooth and strictly in one direction, from top to bottom. Scrapers are good at removing pilling but unsuitable for all fabrics - on fluffy and looser materials. They do not slip and leave catches.
3. Razor blade
The best way to remove pilling from clothes is to use an already-used razor blade so that it is not too sharp. Stretch and pin the material slightly beforehand on a flat, well-lit surface. Then, carefully take the blade to avoid cutting yourself, and bring it to the desired area at a slight angle. Trying not to touch the fabric, cut off the pilling sticking above the garment's surface.
4. Stationery knife
If you have a stationery knife in the house, you can use it to "shave off" pilling. Pre-adjust the blade release to make it comfortable to work on the fabric. It is best to try this on a small section of clothing first. Work the fabric smoothly, moving in the same direction to not ruffle the fibers further. Also, ensure the blade's pointed end does not rest on or cling to the fabric. Otherwise, you can irreparably damage the garment.
5. Special pumice stone
Use only a pumice stone specifically designed for cleaning clothes to remove pilling. Cosmetic analogs for this will not be suitable because such a stone is more complicated and abrasive. Pumice stone for clothes is more fragile and can even crumble slightly. To clean a sweater or anything else, spread it out on a flat surface and smoothly, without pressure, run the pumice stone over the fibers. Movements should be linear; do not try to rub the pumice cloth or clean the surface as if it were in a circle.
6. Scotch tape
Treating clothes with a smooth surface with scotch tape is best, but products with a long pile can not be cleaned this way. Cut a small piece of duct tape and press it to where you need to remove the pilling. Smooth it out thoroughly and then pull one of the edges. Try to keep the movement relatively sharp so that the pilling is removed along with the tape.
7. Cloth roller
If the pilling isn't too big, try removing it with a wool garment roller. Place it on the sticky side of the garment, apply light pressure, and roll it over the area you want to remove. Afterward, tear off the used tape and repeat the action. It can also be used in combination with other methods. For example, after "shaving" the pilling, the sticky roller can collect small residues.
8. Comb
This is a great way to remove large pilling on long-pile garments, such as an Angora sweater. Choose a comb with the tightest possible tines for better grip on lumps. Gently comb the area where the pilling has appeared a few times, then pick it up and dispose of it in the trash. Make sure that the tines of the comb do not damage the yarn.
9. Velcro
If you have a piece of Velcro, you can use it to remove pilling. Place the Velcro hook down on the desired area of the garment. Gently pull upwards and repeat until the pilling is gone. Be aware that this method can damage very delicate fabrics such as cashmere or wool.
10. Scissors
This method is suitable for very large lumps hanging off the garment's surface and removing lumps in hard-to-reach areas. Before trimming, ensure the scissors are sharpened so as not to tear the fibers out of the fabric. Using a compact manicure tool or baby scissors with rounded ends is best. Scissor trimming can also be combined with other methods.
A lint remover, or minicliner, is a special mechanical device for removing pilling from clothes. Work such gadgets from batteries or an accumulator, less often from the network. Appearance and principle of action: they resemble an electric razor: blades rotating on a shaft, a protective casing with perforations, and a collection container for cut pilling. To clean clothes with a lint remover, spread the fabric or lay it flat. Then, smoothly go through all areas with pilling, and after removing the pilling from the container. According to experts, this is one of the most effective ways. But even with a mechanical machine, it is worth being careful - with strong pressure on the fabric, sharp knives can damage the fibers.
2. Scraper
This is a tool for manual cleaning of clothes from pilling. At one end of it, there is a ribbed cutter, usually made of metal, at the other end - a wooden or plastic handle. Unlike the blade, the surface of the scraper is not sharp but somewhat prickly, so it is difficult to cut yourself on it. To clean clothes with a scraper, the thing is first spread flat or stretched to the desired area. Movements should be smooth and strictly in one direction, from top to bottom. Scrapers are good at removing pilling but unsuitable for all fabrics - on fluffy and looser materials. They do not slip and leave catches.
3. Razor blade
The best way to remove pilling from clothes is to use an already-used razor blade so that it is not too sharp. Stretch and pin the material slightly beforehand on a flat, well-lit surface. Then, carefully take the blade to avoid cutting yourself, and bring it to the desired area at a slight angle. Trying not to touch the fabric, cut off the pilling sticking above the garment's surface.
4. Stationery knife
If you have a stationery knife in the house, you can use it to "shave off" pilling. Pre-adjust the blade release to make it comfortable to work on the fabric. It is best to try this on a small section of clothing first. Work the fabric smoothly, moving in the same direction to not ruffle the fibers further. Also, ensure the blade's pointed end does not rest on or cling to the fabric. Otherwise, you can irreparably damage the garment.
5. Special pumice stone
Use only a pumice stone specifically designed for cleaning clothes to remove pilling. Cosmetic analogs for this will not be suitable because such a stone is more complicated and abrasive. Pumice stone for clothes is more fragile and can even crumble slightly. To clean a sweater or anything else, spread it out on a flat surface and smoothly, without pressure, run the pumice stone over the fibers. Movements should be linear; do not try to rub the pumice cloth or clean the surface as if it were in a circle.
6. Scotch tape
Treating clothes with a smooth surface with scotch tape is best, but products with a long pile can not be cleaned this way. Cut a small piece of duct tape and press it to where you need to remove the pilling. Smooth it out thoroughly and then pull one of the edges. Try to keep the movement relatively sharp so that the pilling is removed along with the tape.
7. Cloth roller
If the pilling isn't too big, try removing it with a wool garment roller. Place it on the sticky side of the garment, apply light pressure, and roll it over the area you want to remove. Afterward, tear off the used tape and repeat the action. It can also be used in combination with other methods. For example, after "shaving" the pilling, the sticky roller can collect small residues.
8. Comb
This is a great way to remove large pilling on long-pile garments, such as an Angora sweater. Choose a comb with the tightest possible tines for better grip on lumps. Gently comb the area where the pilling has appeared a few times, then pick it up and dispose of it in the trash. Make sure that the tines of the comb do not damage the yarn.
9. Velcro
If you have a piece of Velcro, you can use it to remove pilling. Place the Velcro hook down on the desired area of the garment. Gently pull upwards and repeat until the pilling is gone. Be aware that this method can damage very delicate fabrics such as cashmere or wool.
10. Scissors
This method is suitable for very large lumps hanging off the garment's surface and removing lumps in hard-to-reach areas. Before trimming, ensure the scissors are sharpened so as not to tear the fibers out of the fabric. Using a compact manicure tool or baby scissors with rounded ends is best. Scissor trimming can also be combined with other methods.
How to Prevent Pilling on Clothes?
Most often, pilling appears on clothes made of low-quality fabric. Conditionally, of course, the cost of the thing can guide you, but not always a high price guarantees that lint will not appear. So, for cashmere, the appearance of pilling is natural; such products must be cared for, including regular removal of pilling.
Pilling appears less often on clothes made of natural cotton, but if the fabric is not of very high quality, they will, unfortunately, be. It depends on the fiber length from which the threads are made. If the fibers are short, then pilling will inevitably occur. You'll just know not to buy clothes from that manufacturer next time if the composition of the fabric includes a lot of synthetic fibers, for example, polyester and acrylic, then the likelihood of pilling formation increases.
Regardless of the quality of the fabric, constant friction leads to pilling formation. If a label is sticking out on the top side, then the sweater in this place will constantly appear pilling until you do not remove the label. It will be necessary to cut it off and cut the lining and take it altogether. Also, pilling appears where the product is in contact with the bag or backpack. In this case, you must choose bags and backpacks made of soft materials.
To prolong the fabric's life and preserve the product's appearance, you must pay attention to the label information and follow all the recommendations. But the general advice is as follows:
1. Wash things, strictly following the instructions on the label. Be sure to turn them inside out to prevent friction on the outside. Use wash bags for things with a high pilling capacity (primarily wool). For demanding materials such as angora or mohair, wash them by hand or dry clean them.
2. Use conditioner when washing - it softens and spreads the fibers, helping to reduce the chance of pilling formation.
3. Don't use machine drying for items that roll up.
4. Store highly pilling items in special pouches.
5. Wear things carefully, paying attention to areas where friction is created. So, to reduce it, it is better to wear bags with a wide strap, which better distributes the pressure. When wearing an autumn coat made of wool , wear gloves to put your hands in the pockets less often - this will lessen the wear and tear of the pockets and the fabric in the area of the cuffs.
Pilling appears less often on clothes made of natural cotton, but if the fabric is not of very high quality, they will, unfortunately, be. It depends on the fiber length from which the threads are made. If the fibers are short, then pilling will inevitably occur. You'll just know not to buy clothes from that manufacturer next time if the composition of the fabric includes a lot of synthetic fibers, for example, polyester and acrylic, then the likelihood of pilling formation increases.
Regardless of the quality of the fabric, constant friction leads to pilling formation. If a label is sticking out on the top side, then the sweater in this place will constantly appear pilling until you do not remove the label. It will be necessary to cut it off and cut the lining and take it altogether. Also, pilling appears where the product is in contact with the bag or backpack. In this case, you must choose bags and backpacks made of soft materials.
To prolong the fabric's life and preserve the product's appearance, you must pay attention to the label information and follow all the recommendations. But the general advice is as follows:
1. Wash things, strictly following the instructions on the label. Be sure to turn them inside out to prevent friction on the outside. Use wash bags for things with a high pilling capacity (primarily wool). For demanding materials such as angora or mohair, wash them by hand or dry clean them.
2. Use conditioner when washing - it softens and spreads the fibers, helping to reduce the chance of pilling formation.
3. Don't use machine drying for items that roll up.
4. Store highly pilling items in special pouches.
5. Wear things carefully, paying attention to areas where friction is created. So, to reduce it, it is better to wear bags with a wide strap, which better distributes the pressure. When wearing an autumn coat made of wool , wear gloves to put your hands in the pockets less often - this will lessen the wear and tear of the pockets and the fabric in the area of the cuffs.
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