How do you remove pilling from a wool sweater?

You can usually safely remove pilling from a wool sweater with a wool comb, clothing comb or electric depiller. Always work calmly, lay the sweater flat and only remove loose fiber balls. Do not pull pills out of the fabric with your fingers, as you may pull out new fibers.

What is pilling?

Pilling are small fiber balls that arise when loose fibers come to the surface through friction and twist together. Armpits, sides, abdomen and forearms in particular experience a lot of friction.

What is the difference between pilling, fluff and felting?

The three are often confused. Pilling are loose balls on the surface. Fluff is a lighter, softer fiber layer without obvious balls. Felting means that fibers have become increasingly densely packed together due to heat, moisture and friction.

You can usually remove pilling. Felting is much more difficult to reverse and can mean that a sweater has also shrunk or become stiffer.

Does pilling mean wool is bad?

No. Merino, lambswool and cashmere can all pill. Fine, soft fibers can even form lint balls relatively quickly. The severity and speed depend on fiber quality, yarn, knit and use.

Also read the difference between merino, lambswool and cashmere.

Method 1: wool comb

Lay the sweater flat on a sturdy surface. Lightly stretch the fabric with one hand and gently move the comb in one direction. Use little pressure.

A wool comb is especially useful for sturdier knitwear and superficial pilling. Very fine cashmere requires extra caution.

Method 2: electric depilator

An electric depilator can work quickly, but requires extra caution. Keep the fabric flat and do not let the device rest in one place for a long time.

Avoid using a depiller aggressively on loose knit fabrics, thin knitwear or vulnerable areas around seams and edges.

Method 3: clothes brush

For light superficial lint, a soft clothes brush may be sufficient. This is less suitable for firm pills, but mild for sensitive knitwear.

Which method do you use with merino?

With merino wool, a fine wool comb or depiller usually works well, as long as you use little pressure. Fine merino can be thin, so always check to make sure you are only removing loose fibers.

Which method do you use with lambswool?

Lambswool is often fuller and more robust. A wool comb is therefore usually a safe first choice. It is often easier to work with coarse knitwear than with very fine wool.

Which method do you use for cashmere?

Cashmere requires the most caution. Preferably use a very fine cashmere comb and work quietly. An aggressive electric depilator can take too much good fiber.

What should you not do?

• pull pills loose with fingers;
• aggressively running a regular razor over the fabric;
• pressing too hard with a depilator;
• wet depilation if the garment is not intended for this;
• treating cashmere as if it were heavy lambswool.

How often can you depilate?

As little as necessary. Each treatment removes loose fibers. Regular light maintenance is better than waiting until a thick layer of lint has formed.

A sweater does not have to be perfectly smooth after every wear. A little superficial fluff is normal with many natural fibers.

How do you prevent new pilling?

Let wool sweaters rest between wears, don't carry rough shoulder bags over the same spot over and over again, and wash only when necessary. Always follow the washing label.

Turn a sweater inside out when washing if the label allows washing. This limits friction on the outside.

Can pilling appear worse after washing?

Yes. Friction during washing can bring up loose fibers. Therefore, use a suitable wool program if the label allows it, low temperature and a wool detergent.

What do you look for second hand?

A little pilling is often easy to remedy. More important are thin spots, holes, felting and stretched edges. Also read vintage sweater men: this is how you choose and maintain knitwear.

When purchasing, you can often see pilling as cosmetic maintenance, as long as the fabric underneath is still strong and full.

When not to treat yourself?

For very fine cashmere, loose knitted structures or expensive knitwear, professional cleaning or gentle manual maintenance may be more sensible.

Knitwear at EcoGents

At EcoGents we check second-hand knitwear for wearability and condition. You will find, among other things quarter zips and a variety of woolen sweaters in the store.

Short answer: lay the sweater flat and use a wool comb or depiller with little pressure. Do not pull pilling loose with your fingers and handle fine wool carefully.