How to remove pills from a wool sweater?

The sweaters and accessories made of wool or cashmere although warm and comfortable, often end up showing annoying fabric pills, known as “pilling.”

But why do wool sweaters get pills?

Here are some explanations about why pilling forms on sweaters made of wool, cashmere, or eco cashmere:

1. Fiber Composition: Wool or cashmere sweaters are mainly prone to pilling due to the fiber structure. Natural wool fibers, especially the more delicate and precious ones, tend to become less compact over time. This makes pill formation more likely.
2. Friction and Washing: The main cause of pilling is friction. When we wear a sweater or during washing, wool or cashmere fibers rub against each other and become fuzzy. Tiny yarn balls emerge from the fabric surface, creating unsightly pills.
3. Yarn Quality: Contrary to what one might think, the presence of pills is not a sign of low yarn quality. On the contrary, it often indicates the presence of a delicate and precious fiber. The finer the fiber, the more pills there will be.

How to prevent pilling from forming?

To prevent pills from forming on wool or cashmere sweaters, it is important to take care of your garments. As described in the article on the Silverbobbin.com website, to prevent pilling on cashmere or wool you can follow these simple tips:

1. Alternate the use of your wool or cashmere sweaters and allow at least one day before wearing them again;
2. Avoid friction: avoid backpacks and shoulder bags that can continuously rub certain areas of the sweater.
3. Proper washing: turn garments inside out when washing and prefer hand washing. You can find many tips on caring for wool and cashmere garments in our blog article “How to wash, dry, and iron cashmere garments".

How to remove pills that form on wool sweaters?

To remove pills from your wool, cashmere, or eco-cashmere sweater, you can use an anti-pilling comb like this:

1. Lay the Sweater Flat: Place the sweater on a flat surface, such as a table or ironing board.
2. Keep the Fabric Taut: Make sure the affected part of the sweater is stretched and wrinkle-free.
3. Position the Comb: Hold the anti-pilling comb at a 90-degree angle to the fabric surface.
4. Comb the Fabric: Using short, quick strokes, gently comb the surface of the fabric in the same direction. This way, you will remove the pills without damaging the sweater.
5. Collect the Pills: Once you have gathered a pile of pills, use adhesive tape to remove them from the fabric. Wrap a large loop of tape around your fingers (with the sticky side out) to lift the pills.
6. Use a Quality Comb: Make sure to use an anti-pilling comb specifically designed for this purpose. Its teeth are smaller and closer together than a hair comb.

Pilling on sweaters is a natural phenomenon related to the composition of fibers and daily use. By following this guide, you can prevent the formation of pills or restore your favorite wool sweaters to their original appearance.