How do You Remove Balls from a Cashmere Sweater?

To remove the small fuzzy balls, also known as pills or pilling, from a cashmere sweater, the most effective and gentle method is to use a specialized cashmere comb or fabric shaver.

Understanding Pilling on Cashmere

Pilling is a common occurrence on cashmere and wool garments. It involves the formation of small balls of fibers on the surface of the fabric, often in areas that experience friction, such as under the arms or where bags rub against the sweater.

• Why it happens: As the reference notes, pilling is primarily caused by wearing the garment. Friction causes loose fibers to tangle together, forming pills.
• Quality is not the issue: It's important to understand that pilling is nothing to do with the quality of the product, but simply a natural characteristic of fibers like cashmere and wool when they are worn.

Methods for Removing Pills

While several methods exist, gentle techniques are crucial for preserving the delicate nature of cashmere.

The Recommended Method: Using a Cashmere Comb

Based on expert advice, using a cashmere comb is a highly recommended technique.

• How it works: A cashmere comb typically has a fine mesh screen or pumice-like stone that gently catches and lifts the pills from the surface of the fabric without damaging the underlying fibers.
• When to do it: It's always a good idea to gently de-pill your garment with a cashmere comb before washing it. This helps clean up the surface and prepares the sweater for washing.
• Technique:
  1. Lay the sweater flat on a firm surface.
  2. Hold the fabric taut with one hand.
  3. Using the cashmere comb, lightly brush or stroke the pilled areas in one direction.
  4. Collect the removed pills and discard them.
  5. Repeat as needed over the affected areas.

Other Methods (Use with Caution)

While less ideal for cashmere due to the risk of damage, other methods exist for different fabrics and are sometimes attempted on cashmere (use with extreme care):

• Electric Fabric Shaver: These battery-operated devices have a rotating blade covered by a protective cap with holes. Pills are drawn into the holes and cut off. Use with caution on cashmere as too much pressure can snag or thin the fabric.
• Sweater Stone: Similar in concept to a cashmere comb but often made from volcanic stone. Can be effective but might be slightly rougher than a dedicated cashmere comb.
• Manual Removal (Not Recommended): Pulling pills off with your fingers can stretch and damage the fibers, potentially causing more pilling. Avoid this method.
• Razor Blade (High Risk): Some sources suggest using a razor blade very carefully to shave off pills. This method carries a significant risk of cutting or damaging the sweater fabric and is generally not recommended for valuable items like cashmere.

For cashmere, the cashmere comb remains the safest and most recommended tool for effective de-pilling. Regular, gentle maintenance using a comb will help keep your cashmere sweater looking smooth and new.