What causes pellets to form? Getting rid of pilling on clothes: control and prevention measures

The formation of pills on clothes causes a lot of discomfort, because overnight your favorite thing will deteriorate, as it seems to us, forever. There are many ways that help remove pellets from the surface of the fabric, and you should definitely use them.

Why do pellets appear?

It is believed that if pills appear on the fabric, then it is of poor quality. In fact, the reasons are due to the following factors:

  • Incorrect care of clothing. Items should be washed in water at the temperature indicated on the labels. The wrong choice of washing powder causes pellets to appear.
  • Constant friction of the fabric. For example, on trousers from the inner thighs, or on the side, where a handbag is often located when worn.
  • Fabrics with loosely woven threads, or with long thread broaches. If you look closely at the fabric, pulling it “up to the light”, you will notice how tightly the threads fit together.
  • Mixed fabrics. It is believed that synthetics appear to pill faster, but weaving in natural threads also increases the chances of pilling.
  • Twisted, hard or tight threads of fabric.

Most often, pills appear on knitwear due to the peculiarities of its structure. And they almost always appear on wool products. To avoid pilling on clothes, choose clothes made from high-quality natural fabrics. In the online clothing and footwear store https://step.mk.ua/ you will find items from branded manufacturers at reasonable prices.

How to remove pills from fabric

There are several ways that help effectively, quickly and inexpensively.

Dry cleaning

In dry cleaning, pellets are removed using special means. The remover has a complex composition, but helps to quickly deal with the problem. In shops household chemicals There is a similar product, but it is not recommended to use it at home, as there are restrictions for certain types of fabric. In order not to completely ruin the item, it is better to turn to specialists.

Razor

Pull the fabric of the product lightly and carefully shave off the pills. The razor can damage the item, so you should not use it on woolen products(angora, cashmere). But for knitwear - socks, knee socks, stockings, tights, it's fine. The direction of movement is from bottom to top.

Scissors

The method is not the fastest, and it also requires accuracy. It is necessary to cut each pellet separately, so the integrity of the product can be compromised. It is recommended to use scissors only for single large pills on clothes.

Adhesive tape roller or tape

If pills have just begun to appear on clothing, they can be quickly removed using adhesive tape. Apply a piece of tape to the desired location, press firmly and peel it off with a sharp movement. The clothing roller is also applied tightly and passed several times over the required area of ​​the fabric. Not recommended for use on knitted products, for example, removing pills from a sweater.

Black or rye bread

Take a slice of bread and dry it thoroughly. Pass the rusk over the desired area of ​​the fabric, and then shake out any excess crumbs. White bread is not recommended due to its brittleness. By the way, this method will help you say goodbye to the pellets that have long appeared on your clothes.

Sponge for washing dishes

The method is effective at the initial stages of pellet formation. To clean the surface, you need to gently move the hard side of the sponge over the damaged area several times. Removal of pellets is carried out by friction of the dense fleecy surface, the result becomes noticeable immediately.

Toothbrush

To remove pills on knitted items, including mohair and angora, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Gently but persistently “comb” the surface of the sweater or jacket until all the pills are removed. Afterwards, the item should be soaked in a weak vinegar solution (1 tablespoon per 4–5 liters) and dried on a flat surface. The product becomes deformed on the rope.

Razor

To remove pellets on knitted clothes, when they do not fit tightly to the product, use a hair clipper powered by the mains. At high speed, the “air” beads are cut off very quickly. The main thing is not to apply the device too tightly to the product.

How to remove pellets using a special machine

A pellet machine is the best product after dry cleaning. It can be used on almost all types of fabric, but is most often used on woolen and knitted fabrics.

The mains powered machine is easy to use - you just attach it to problem area on clothes, turn it on, and the machine starts moving. During the movement, the blades with which the device is equipped perform something like a haircut, ridding the fabric of pellets. The machine runs on batteries, either on rechargeable batteries, or on mains power.

Before use, be sure to carefully read the operating instructions.

Prevention measures

It is better to prevent the formation of pellets.

  • Follow all clothing care recommendations that the manufacturer indicates on the tag.
  • If the item is expensive, it is better to have it dry cleaned, especially if it has stains and other contaminants.
  • It is better to remove the pellets immediately after they appear, when they are still barely noticeable.
  • Do not use too aggressive detergents when washing.
  • Do not wash or soak items in hot, high temperature water. Do this only as a last resort.
  • Among all the laundry and clothing care products, choose those that are labeled “softens fabric fibers.”
  • Wash delicate items by hand and dry them flat.
  • Do not twist the knitwear too much or soak it.

Be attentive to your things, and then they will always look good and delight you with their appearance.

Not really

It seems that the problem is proportional to the amount of the check, however, this is not always the case. Unfortunately, the cost of a thing does not guarantee durability, just as cheapness does not always mean low quality. We approach the issue wisely.

Quality fabric:

  • after a week, two, three, a month it has the same appearance as when purchased;
  • not subject to the formation of pellets (does not pill);
  • does not deform with proper care;
  • has no foreign odors;
  • does not stain other materials during wear.

One of the troubles that happens with clothes is the formation of pilling. This does not affect consumer properties, but greatly spoils the visual impression. How can you tell that a new blouse will be covered with a mass of unsightly lumps in a week? Let's delve into materials science.

Textile fabrics are divided into fabrics and knitwear. Fabrics are made by weaving (weaving threads). Based on their composition, raw materials are divided into natural, artificial, synthetic and mixed. A separate group is knitwear, a fabric made by knitting.

The ability of the canvas to roll up (form pellets) during use is called pillability in the language of professionals.

How to choose fabric that will not have pilling:

  • Low-density fabrics and knitwear are most susceptible to pilling. Loose, weakly twisted fibers are easily loosened and, with further friction, twist into lumps.
  • thin fibers easily come to the surface, become entangled and, as a result, form pellets.
  • the more synthetics in the composition, the more likely the formation of stable pellets will be
  • Knitted wool products initially form pellets, which then disappear - this does not spoil the appearance of the product.
  • wool for men's suits, produced in a special way, does not pill.
  • The longer and thinner the threads (the stronger the twist) from which the fabric is made, the lower the pillability.

Below are details about each group and properties.

Group of natural fabrics- These are those that are made from animal or plant materials. These include: cotton, linen, wool, silk. Natural fabrics have low pilling properties. Natural cotton, linen, and silk do not form pills. Wool behaves interestingly - pillies can appear during the initial period of wear, and then, having rolled into balls, disappear.

Cotton.

Cotton symbols: algodon (Spanish), cotton (English), baumwoole (German).

Cotton fabrics include: chintz, denim, cambric, calico, pique, poplin, voile, rosin, teak, percale, nansook, organdy.

You may hear the words mercerization, mercerized cotton. Mercerization is a special treatment of fibers with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide alkali). Gives fabric shine, prevents fading, increases strength. To prevent a cotton item from wrinkles, the fabric is treated with urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde resin.

100% mercerized cotton

"Loose" cotton with pellets

Cotton with lycra without pilling

Natural fabrics shrink, remember this when caring. Read and follow the instructions on the product label.

Silk.

Silk fabrics: crepe, crepe georgette, chiffon, silk linen, taffeta, satin, brocade, foulard, crepe de chine, faille, chesucha.

Wool.

Wool symbols: WO, ReineWolle, Schurwolle, Wool, Woole, Wolle, Merinowolle (merino wool).

A group of woolen and wool blend fabrics: broadcloth, cheviot, twill, tweed, Boston, carpetcoat, duvetin.

Artificial fabrics- fabrics made from natural substances, most often made from cellulose.

Artificial fabrics have properties close to natural ones.

These include:

  • Viscose
    How viscose is made: https://youtu.be/n5pukpjFDOc
  • Modal (artificial cellulose fiber with water-repellent properties, viscose group), improved viscose.
  • Cupra
  • Acetate (Rayon-rayon)

Artificial fabrics have low pillability. Disadvantages include severe creasing.

Synthetic fabrics (synthetics) made entirely of polymers.

These include:

  • Polyester
  • Elastane (also known under the names: spandex, lycra, elastane (trademark of the Invista company), dorslastan (trademark of Asahi kasei), lynel (from the company Fillattice)
  • Acrylic (artificial wool)
  • Polyamide, also known as nylon

Synthetic fabrics that have not been treated special treatment, are prone to periodic stable formation of pills (pellets), which worsens the appearance of the products. Products made of polyamide (nylon, kodur), nylon, lavsan (polyester and polyamide fibers) are especially susceptible to pilling.

Of the synthetic fabrics, acrylic fibers are least prone to pilling.

Mixed fabrics– natural with the addition of synthetic fibers. For example, polycotton (cotton-based fabric) may contain 60% cotton, 40% polyester. Blended fabrics are very common. By adding synthetic fibers to natural ones, manufacturers achieve improved basic properties. Such fabrics are more wear-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, and elastic. But they have a drawback - with a large percentage of synthetics in the composition, the formation of pellets is inevitable!

Knitted fabrics.

Knitwear - from the French tricotage “knit” - fabrics that differ from fabrics in the method of production. Its structure is interconnected loops. In the production of knitwear, various fibers are used - cotton, wool, synthetic, mixed.

Whether or not pilling occurs on a knitted product depends on the fibers used and the processing.

The thickness of the thread in microns in men's suits is indicated by the sign super. The larger the number S, the thinner thread. Thus, the indication super 100 means that threads with a diameter of 18.5 microns were used to produce this fabric. The most popular are S 100-130 (for a business suit for everyday use), S 180-250 - for special occasions and summer options. Suits made from such fabric practically do not wrinkle, they are not hot, and in winter they are not cold.

  • 100% cotton products never pill!

Trade secrets.

There are ways to reduce the ability of any fabrics and fabrics to form pills. Unfortunately, whether the fabric has undergone special processing or not, the average consumer will hardly be able to find out how high-quality fibers were used in the production of the fabric.

Pillability is affected by fiber composition, thread structure, fabric structure and finishing. The less return (waste) was used in production, the lower the pillability. The use of longer fibers, cross-section milling, increasing the twist of threads and reducing the length of overlap in the fabric, reducing the length of the loop and the use of special chemical impregnations also leads to a decrease in pillability. They use singeing, cutting products, and heat-fixing.

Legend for fabric composition:

Main reductionin Russianin English
WO wool Wool Woole
W.P. alpaca Alpaca Alpaca
W.L. lama Lame Lame
W.K. camel's wool Camel Kamel
W.S. Kashmir Cashmere Kaschmire
W.M. moxep Mohair Mohair
W.A. angora Angora Angora
W.G. vigunya Vicuna Vikunja
Wu guanoco Guanaco Guanaco
S.E. silk Silk Seide
CO Cotton Baumwoole
Li linen Linen Linane
J.U. jute Jute Jute
AB abacus Abace Manila
KE kenaf Kenaf Kenaf
R.A. ramie Ramie Ramie
Si sisal Sisal Sisal
A.C. acetate fiber Acetate
C.U. copper-ammonia fiber Cupro
MD modal Modal Modal
T.A. triacetate Triacetate
Vi viscose Viscose (rayon) Viskose
PC nitrone (PAN) Acrylic Polyacryl
M.A. modified PAN (modacryl) ModacrylicModacryl
PA polyamide (nylon) Nylon Polyamide
P.L. polyester (polyester, lavsan) Polyester
P.E. polyethylene Polyethylene Polyathylene
PP polypropylene Polypropylene Polypropylene
P.U. polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane
E.A. elastane Elastane Elasthan
A.F. other fibers Other fibers Sostige fasern

Luxury clothes and pellets.

Oddly enough, men are luckier in this matter than women. By buying a super wool suit, a 100% cotton pique polo and chino trousers, they can be 99% sure that the pilling problem will not affect them. And with knitwear in the luxury segment, as well as in the middle segment, everything is fine.

In women's luxury wardrobe there are more items of clothing that say 100% polyester. Cocktails and evening dresses, underwear, beachwear in almost 100% of cases are made of synthetic fibers. Is it another synthetic? I want to believe it, because you can only check it while wearing it. In my experience and the experience of my clients, synthetic clothes, even branded ones, are still susceptible to pilling.

Garment care and pellets.

It is important to remember that care does not affect the formation of pellets. Improper care can ruin a thing (it can shrink, fade, become deformed, etc.), but improper care cannot cause the formation of pili!

Buy wisely, ultimately the choice is yours! Share your experience!

Unfortunately, clothes lose their original appearance over time. This is especially true for knitwear. Pellets appear on them, the color fades, and their shape is lost. Not everyone can afford to buy new things often, so the natural question is: why do clothes pill, and is it possible to prevent this process?

All advice on maintaining the proper appearance of clothing comes down to its care. Knitted items should be washed in a special washing machine mode. If, instead of a gentle regime, a strong mechanical effect is used, then damage to the tissue, or rather its fibers, is inevitable. Small lumps appear - pellets. Experts recommend using it for rinsing such delicate types of fabrics. special means, which do not allow the material to roll off. Typically, a special liquid detergent is used for woolen and other items.

However, even with careful care, the appearance of a rolling effect is inevitable. This is due to the fact that, for example, the sweater is in contact with the jacket. Also, a person rubs one piece of clothing against another with his hand. As a result of mechanical action, this effect appears.

A few more reasons:

  • Synthetic in the fabric. It is worth noting that items made from artificial fabric are least susceptible to pilling. But natural and natural with synthetic admixtures, for the most part - the opposite.
  • Illiterate care of things. For example, washing with the wrong means, in water at the wrong temperature, etc.
  • Long thread broaches of fabric. They can be seen with the naked eye when purchasing an item.
  • Fabric looseness(badly twisted threads).

How to prevent the formation of pellets?

Preventing your clothes from pilling can seem like an impossible task. However, there are steps you can take to reduce rolling and even prevent it. Many of your washing habits can be changed to help prevent pilling on your clothes. Follow these steps to protect your clothes from unsightly pilling.

Step 1

Turn your clothes inside out before washing them

By turning your clothes inside out, you can reduce the amount of pilling that will be on the outside of the garment. This is because the movements in the washing machine will primarily affect the inside of the clothes.

Step 2

Use gentle detergents designed for delicate washing

Abrasive detergents increase the likelihood that your clothes will pill. If possible, use liquid detergents because powdered detergents abrade clothes as they dissolve in the washing machine. If you must use coarse washing powder, add detergent to washing machine while filling it with water and shake for a few minutes to dissolve the detergent before putting the clothes in the machine.

Step 3

Select delicate mode

Delicate modes are gentle on your clothes during washing. To help further prevent pilling, use the shortest wash cycle offered, as this will mean less time with clothes bouncing around in the washing machine.

Step 4

Avoid rubbing your clothes with other fabrics

Mashing is the main cause of pellets. If you are concerned about not rubbing your clothes more than you can handle, you might be able to find something that can improve the original appearance of your clothes. Wash clothes that are prone to pilling whenever possible.

Step 5

Let your clothes air dry

Allow your clothing items to dry in your bathroom or outside in a gentle breeze. Try not to put your clothes in the dryer, as constant movement will not stop pilling on your clothes. If you're short on time and need to use the dryer, choose the gentle cycle, which uses a very low heat. Check your clothes every few minutes and put them away as soon as they are dry.

Step 6

Wash your clothes by hand whenever possible

Hand washing your clothes can significantly reduce the amount of pilling on your clothes. Hand wash can be done in a clean sink.

Step 7

Choose quality materials

Pilling occurs most often on clothing made from polyester or polyester blends. If you want to avoid the hassle of pilling at all, then buy clothes made from materials other than those described above.

Step 8

Buy an electric peeler or a cloth electric razor

These devices can be purchased at many stores or sewing shops. They can give your clothes a fresher look, and may even help restore them to their original state. original form. You can use tape to remove pilling from clothes. Avoid using scissors as you may damage your clothing.

Step 9

Don't leave clothes in your dryer longer than necessary. Excessive heat movement increases pilling.

Unconventional methods for removing pellets

  • Sandpaper. This method is not very common, but it is quite effective if you don’t have a special machine at hand. To remove pellets, it is better to use very fine sandpaper. You need to remove hairballs carefully, trying not to catch the fabric itself.
  • Sponge for washing dishes. This method is suitable if there are not a lot of pilling on the clothes yet, and they have only recently formed. It works like this: turn the sponge over with the hard side and carefully remove the pellets.
  • Black bread. Cleaning clothes from pellets with black (rye) bread is a great way. To do this, just dry a thick slice of bread in the oven and treat the item with it. Another advantage of this method is that rye bread copes well with outdated pellets. But it is worth remembering that it is better to use only black bread, since white bread will crumble in any condition, which is why your clothes will also have to be cleaned of crumbs.
  • Fine tooth comb. Well suited if large pills have formed on clothes. Their removal involves the following action: when combing the surface of the fabric, the pellets will get stuck between the teeth of the comb, after which they must be carefully cut off with scissors.
  • Razor. The method is very fast, radical and dangerous for the fabric. By securing the blade in a safety razor (Soviet style), you can easily remove pellets from knitwear. But you should approach the processing of woolen items with caution: take a not new razor, stretch the fabric as much as possible, carefully cut off the pellets, guiding the blade along the surface of the fabric from bottom to top. The method is ideal for “shaving” hats, socks and tights (the latter are easiest to process by pulling them over your legs), for fabrics without a relief pattern (smooth). But it is not recommended to shave items made from angora, mohair and cashmere.
  • Toothbrush. Good remedy combating pilling on fabrics prohibited for shaving (mohair, angora, etc.). Choose a soft toothbrush, guide it along the fibers (otherwise your favorite sweater will simply be ruined) and comb the item until the pellets are completely removed. After combing out the pellets, soak the item in a bowl of warm water and vinegar to add fluffiness. And you should dry it by placing the item on a dry towel and away from the sun and heaters.

Preventing pilling on clothes

As you know, it is easier to prevent problems than to delve into methods for solving them. Pellets don’t seem to be a problem on a global scale, but they can ruin your mood.

Therefore, we remember how to prevent or at least reduce the appearance of pellets:

  1. We strictly follow the modes of wearing, washing, drying and ironing. That is, we read the labels on clothes and select the desired washing mode, suitable products, etc.
  2. We choose washing powder with special components that prevent the appearance of pills (labeling - “softens fabric fibers”). True, there is a minus: the smell of these components is not for everyone. You also need to remember the nuances: you should take into account the compatibility of the product with the composition of the water and the type of fabric.
  3. To wash items prone to pilling, we use a gentle wash cycle and conditioner.
  4. We regularly clean things from pellets at the very beginning of their appearance, and not when you just want to give up and send the item to the dacha. It’s easier to remove a couple of pellets than a couple of thousand.
  5. We wash knitwear exclusively at low water temperatures (+ mode “ delicate wash"). For woolen items we use special detergents, softening conditioner and “hand wash” mode.
  6. We do not twist, rub or soak knitwear when washing. We iron only at the temperature indicated on the label (according to the composition of the fibers).
  7. As for expensive items, it is better to take them to the dry cleaner.

How to choose fabric that will not have pilling?

  • Low-density fabrics and knitwear are most susceptible to pilling. Loose, weakly twisted fibers are easily loosened and, with further friction, twist into lumps.
  • Thin fibers easily come to the surface, become entangled and, as a result, form pellets.
  • The more synthetics in the composition, the more likely the formation of stable pellets will be.
  • Knitted wool products initially form pills, which then disappear - this does not spoil the appearance of the product.
  • Wool for men's suits, produced in a special way, is not pilled.

Characteristics of fabrics and their properties

Natural fabrics

The group of natural fabrics are those made from animal or plant materials. These include: cotton, linen, wool, silk. Natural fabrics have low pilling properties. Natural cotton, linen, and silk do not form pills.

Artificial fabrics

They have low pillability. Disadvantages include severe creasing. Synthetic fabrics (synthetics) are made entirely from polymers.

These include:

  • Polyester
  • Elastane (also known under the names: spandex, lycra, elastane (trademark of the Invista company), dorslastan (trademark of Asahi kasei), lynel (from the company Fillattice)
  • Acrylic (artificial wool)
  • Polyamide, also known as nylon

Synthetic fabrics that have not undergone special treatment are prone to periodic persistent formation (pellets), which worsens the appearance of the products. Products made of polyamide (nylon, kodur), nylon, lavsan (polyester and polyamide fibers) are especially susceptible to pilling. Of the synthetic fabrics, acrylic fibers are least prone to pilling.

Mixed fabrics

These are natural fabrics with the addition of synthetic fibers. For example, polycotton (cotton-based fabric) may contain 60% cotton, 40% polyester. Blended fabrics are very common. By adding synthetic fibers to natural ones, manufacturers achieve improved basic properties. Such fabrics are more wear-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, and elastic. But they have a drawback - with a large percentage of synthetics in the composition, the formation of pellets is inevitable!

Knitted fabrics

Knitwear – from the French tricotage “knit” – fabrics that differ from fabrics in the method of production. Its structure is interconnected loops. In the production of knitwear, various fibers are used - cotton, wool, synthetic, mixed. Whether or not pilling occurs on a knitted product depends on the fibers used and the processing.

Luxury clothes and pellets

Oddly enough, men are luckier in this matter than women. By buying a super wool suit, a 100% cotton pique polo and chino trousers, they can be 99% sure that the pilling problem will not affect them. And with knitwear in the luxury segment, as well as in the middle segment, everything is fine.

In women's luxury wardrobe there are more items of clothing that are labeled 100% polyester. Cocktail and evening dresses, lingerie, and beachwear are almost 100% made from synthetic fibers. Is it another synthetic? I want to believe it, because you can only check it while wearing it. From experience, synthetic clothes, even branded ones, are still susceptible to pilling.

Pills are an unpleasant little thing that irritates and threatens almost any fabric, but most often cotton. The pellets themselves are small balls that form on the surface of the fabric after prolonged use. Because of them, underwear begins to cling to the skin, and during sleep we experience discomfort.

What causes pellets to appear?

When we use cotton underwear or underwear made from other soft fabrics for a long time, after numerous washing and drying, the threads become thinner and their ends begin to wrinkle, causing knots to appear. The nodules begin to collect dust, debris, and pet hair, forming pellets. Fabric made from short threads is much more likely to form pills, so you should avoid cotton with various impurities. As for 100% cotton, the appearance of pellets when proper care behind the fabric there is much less risk.


How to prevent the formation of pellets?

  • Properly sort your laundry before washing, wash your laundry set without mixing it with other types of fabrics;
  • When washing, try to avoid high temperatures, because it destroys the threads;
  • Try not to use bleaches: they weaken the threads and cause color loss. In order to get rid of stubborn stains, you can use 1/4 cup during washing lemon juice;
  • If you use a dryer, dry fabrics on low or medium;
  • Dry laundry is best stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight;
  • It is best to have at least three sets of linen that can be changed once a week;
  • To reduce contact with other fabrics, especially wool, it is recommended to fold a set of linen in a pillowcase;


If you are using laundry detergent, dissolve it in water before adding it to the machine. Whole powder can also harm the fabric.

How to remove pills from laundry?

If the pellets have already appeared, removing them is not so easy, but not at all impossible. Firstly, this is a classic roller with adhesive tape. The tape captures the spools and does not spoil the appearance and texture of the fabric. In addition, there are special combs for removing pellets. They look like combs, but the special surface is designed specifically to pick up and cut pellets from knitted, woolen and cotton fabrics. However, this option is not ideal, since it also deforms the fabric itself. The most attractive option is a pellet removal machine. A small battery-powered device deftly and quickly cuts off the pellets, and the fabric returns to its original appearance.



To ensure that your bed linen does not lose its comfort, and the fabric remains pleasant and soft, follow our recommendations for care and prevention of pilling.

Is it worth getting rid of things if the fabric from which it is made begins to fluff and roll into lumps? Appearance has lost its attractiveness, so it becomes impossible to wear clothes. Without regret, skirts and trousers are scrapped if they have served their useful life. But pills can also form on new clothes. For example, a coat. It is not cheap, so throwing away such things is expensive for the budget. In this article you will learn why such defects occur and how to eliminate them.

Reasons for appearance

If you notice that your trousers, skirt, coat, or cardigan are covered in pellets, don’t despair, perhaps you just chose the wrong detergent.

On products containing wool fibers, the pile rolls off in places of active friction. A thrifty housewife will notice a defect and find a way to eliminate it. Pellets appear due to careless wear. They can form from puffs in the fabric. If you notice that the thread has pulled out, remove it wrong side. This can be done using a special device or thread and needle.

Washing things is a process that requires care and responsibility. Must be followed temperature regime and sort clothes before putting them into the machine. Some items may have a gentle cycle and no spin symbol on them. Follow these instructions and fewer problems will arise.

Determine the composition of the fabric: fibers that roll

Most often, pellets appear on synthetic fabrics having a loose structure. This means that the threads are poorly twisted. Unnatural fibers stretch and pill due to wear.

Housewives note that this happens with knitted fabrics. But the quality of the fabric largely depends on the manufacturer. Materials produced in accordance with established standards are not covered with unwanted lint, which will subsequently turn into pellets.

On cotton and linen fabrics without admixtures of synthetic fibers, such a defect does not occur at all. But they are more suitable for sewing clothes for the warm season. With the onset of cold weather, knitwear remains a trend.

The following are added as impurities:

  • polyamide;
  • lavsan;
  • acrylic;
  • elastane;
  • spandex;
  • polyester.

When the threads are loosely twisted, they cause the formation of pellets. Artificial fibers obtained from natural components do not create such defects on the fabric.

These include:

  • lyocell;
  • modal

They give pleasant tactile sensations and have characteristics characteristic of natural ones.

Effective solutions

If you notice that on garment pellets begin to appear, take action immediately. Thrifty housewives know what to do. Change the detergent, read the instructions, set the temperature correctly on the programmer of the automatic machine and the iron when ironing. Place the products inside the drum inside out. This will prevent the appearance of new defects.

To remove pellets that have already appeared, try one of the following methods:

1. On dense ones, fine-grained sandpaper helps. Rub the area where the rolled balls appeared.

2. Pants and skirts made of drape, denim, and wool can be cleaned with an old safety razor. Do this carefully, moving along the product so as not to inadvertently cut it.

3. Use a fine-tooth comb only if you are sure there will be no puffs.

4. You can try combing angora or mohair with a toothbrush, guiding it along the fibers. Then wash the product, rinse with vinegar and dry in fresh air.

5. If you are a master at using nail scissors, then the pellets can be carefully cut off.

6. Buy a special machine that will deal with this defect in a matter of minutes. Be sure to carefully read the operating instructions, and only then proceed to work, so as not to damage the product.

With some effort, you can save your favorite item and extend its service life. If you don’t want to waste time on this, go to a dry cleaner, maybe they can solve this problem.