Cashmere is a luxurious fabric that has been used for centuries. It is soft, warm, and extremely durable. However, cashmere does have one downside: it pills. This can be a real problem for anyone who owns a cashmere sweater or other clothing item that gets regular use. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the first place, and even if damage has already occurred, there are simple steps you can take at home to repair the issue. Let's look at how pilling occurs in the first place so we can determine how best to prevent it from happening more in the future
Why Does Pilling Occur?
Pilling occurs when friction causes tiny fibers to break off and form balls of fuzz. This can happen when cashmere is rubbed against itself or other fabrics, such as woolen socks or sweaters made from different fibres. Pilling can even occur from contact with your skin.
Click here to learn more about how to store your cashmere safely.
When these little balls get caught up in the fabric’s weave, they create an uneven surface that feels rough to the touch. Even worse than their feel, pilling can cause your once beautiful garment to look worn out. And if the pilling continues, it can lead to holes or damage to your cashmere clothing.
Can Pilling be Prevented?
While you can’t prevent pilling completely, there are some things you can do to lessen it. Keeping your garment clean and dry will help keep the fibers from matting together and forming pills. If you have time, wash your cashmere in cold water by itself on the gentle cycle (or hand wash) instead of with other clothes so that it doesn’t get tangled up with any other fabrics. This will help prevent damage and increase longevity.
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How to Prevent Cashmere Pilling
There are several things you can do to prevent cashmere pilling. Letting your garment rest between wears will give the fibers time to bounce back into place, so that when you wear it again, there's less risk of pilling. It also helps if you handwash your cashmere inside out and lay flat to dry.
This will allow the fibers to retain their shape and avoid unnecessary stress on the fabric. If you're worried about pilling, try a garment that has been brushed rather than one that's been washed and dyed. This will help keep the fibers smooth and prevent them from rubbing against each other.
How do I remove pilling from my cashmere?
There are a few ways that you can remove pilling from your cashmere, but the best way is to use a cashmere comb. Use the comb to gently brush over the areas with loose fibers. The pilling will come right off, leaving behind only soft, smooth cashmere. This will also help prevent more pilling from occurring in that area, which could lead to holes or more damage.
It is important to never use razors or scissors to remove the pills. This will ultimately lead to more damage to your piece.
Cashmere pilling can be a real pain, but there are plenty of ways to prevent it from happening. If you take care of your cashmere properly and follow our tips for storing and cleaning it, you should have no problem keeping your garments looking beautiful for years to come! If you have any more questions about cashmere care or our products, feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing from you!