Does Cashmere Pill? (How to Prevent Cashmere Pilling)
The extremely soft wool commonly used in shawls, scarfs, cardigans, jumpers, and more, cashmere is an expensive animal fabric that is considered a luxury.
The material gets its name from the species of goat from which the wool is extracted, and associated with Kashmir shawl, which reached Europe in the late 19th century from colonial India.
Commonly defined as wool, cashmere has gained a lot of popularity, but with one concern revolving in the minds of the users. Does the cashmere pill?
Cashmere Pilling 101
Does the Cashmere Pill Easily?
Yes, pilling is common and cashmere pills easily. Colloquially known as a bobbling, pilling is the formation of fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric, which gives it a worn-out appearance. A pill on a piece of fabric is also known as lint ball or fuzzball, and its formation is considered a defect. It is caused by rubbing of the material and is usually found in areas such as armpits, sleeves, elbows, belly, and the sides of the sweater.
Now the question is, does the cashmere pill easily. Pilling is very complex, and understanding how it occurs is difficult. It happens when short fibers twist around themselves in areas where there is more friction and create bobbles. It is an inevitable phenomenon due to the presence of shorter fibers.
Cashmere pilling depends on various factors, such as the surfaces it comes in contact with and on the action of the wearer. It mainly depends on the activities of the wearer. If the wearer is active, there is a greater chance that the cashmere fabric will start to pill.
Does All Cashmere Pill?
Several different types of cashmere fabrics are available in the market, and they include cashmere wool, pashmina wool, grade A, B, and C cashmere. If you are wondering if all types of cashmere fabrics pill, then the answer is an unfortunate 'yes.' Pilling can occur basically on any type of cashmere fabric. It is a misconception that designer cashmere does not pill. Usually, finer and tighter weaves of cashmere fabric will pill less when compared to others. But it is very difficult to differentiate the fabric from others in the store.
Cashmere is widely used in making sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, dresses, shirts, socks, underwear, thermal gear, hosiery, blazers, and more. Though pilling is mainly caused by the action of the wearer, there is no guarantee that pilling is more in a sweater when compared to a shawl. It all depends on how the garment is used and how it is maintained.
Should Cashmere Pill?
Cashmere pilling can be a serious concern to many people as the fabric is very expensive. Should cashmere pill? Cashmere is highly prone to pilling, but it is subject to the way it is used as well as how it is made. Despite its reputation, pilling is one of the worst phenomena faced by cashmere owners. Experts believe that pilling is more when cashmere is blended with other types of wool. Inferior quality cashmere is more subject to pilling than the superior ones. Differentiating between the superior and the inferior cashmere is quite difficult for an inexperienced eye.
Cashmere pilling occurs when the fabric rubs against itself or to another surface. 'Should cashmere pill?' is a vague concern since anyone owning the fabric wouldn't want it to pill. It is one of the most coveted materials used during winter and for a good reason as well. The soft fabric offers comfort like no other, and it is a cozy remedy to cold weather.
Why Does Some Cashmere Pill?
Pilling in cashmere fabric is a very common occurrence. Though technically they are called wool, they are made from the hair of goats, usually residing in the mountains that make their hair warmer. How much it pills depends widely on the length of the fabric, but every cashmere fabric pills, though some do not, based on how well they are maintained.
Cashmere pills as a result of the fabric rubbing against each other or other surfaces. While some believe that certain cashmere does not pill, it is not entirely true. Even designer cashmere sweaters pill and preventing the occurrence is nearly impossible. The only time cashmere does not pill when it is not being used as the fibers in the fabric bounce back to their original shape and become more resilient.
What to do When Cashmere Pills?
Pilling in cashmere is very common. It is a misconception that when you pay a hefty amount for your cashmere shawl, sweater, cardigan, or any clothing, it does not pill. It is in the nature of the fiber in the fabric to pill. What to do when cashmere pills? The answer is very simple. Avoid using the garment for a while as the fibers get enough time to bounce back to their original shape. In addition, make sure that you wash the garment with a wash that nourishes the cashmere fibers.
How to Identify Superior Cashmere Fabric?
It is quite difficult to identify whether the cashmere fabric you are looking at is of the best quality. But remember, it is not impossible. If you are wondering how to recognize superior cashmere fabric, here's how you can attempt to identify whether you are getting the best cashmere fabric.
- Look for 100% cashmere label as they are, at most times, accurate!
- Longer lengths of fiber used in the garment are considered to be of good quality.
- Look for its thickness as they can have a massive impact on the softness, thicker the fiber, better is the fabric unless cashmere is used from a younger goat.
- Two-ply cashmere garments are more durable than single-ply.
- Check out the origin of the cashmere fabric as all cashmere goats are not created equally.
- The color of the fabric is vital as original colors white, brown, and beige are sturdier. Added color can make the fiber weaker.
- Check whether the fibers are virgin or recycled. Virgin fibers come directly from cashmere goat when it is turned into yarn. Recycled cashmere comes from fabric that has previously been used.
Remember, poor knitting can negatively impact the final product.
How to Prevent Cashmere From Pilling?
As strange as it may sound, 'give it a rest.' Yes, that's the answer. What do you do when your cashmere fabric pills? How to prevent cashmere from pilling further? Give it rest between wears, which will give the fiber in the fabric some time to bounce back to its original shape, as well as make it stronger. When you notice that the fabric has started pilling, the first thing to do is to stop using it for a while.
It is easier to manage to pill when you see the first signs, rather than wait for it to get worse. to prevent cashmere from pilling, you must.
- Wash the fabric inside-out.
- Do not use fabric softener.
- Minimize abrasion when you wear a cashmere.
Remember, having a preconceived notion that you have failed to identify the superior fabric of cashmere would only lead to increased pilling. Besides, cashmere needs ample care to prevent further damage caused by pilling.
Keeping a Cashmere Sweater from Pilling
Many people perceive that the fabric they have bought is not worth the care when it starts pilling, it is important to remember that every type of cashmere pill, and to keep it from pilling, it must be maintained properly. Maintaining your cashmere garment will help you reduce the amount of pilling as well as delay it. Here's how you can keep a cashmere sweater from pilling early.
- Hand-washing your cashmere garment is the best method.
- Always turn the garment inside-out before you wash using mild detergent.
- As cashmere comes from hairs, using baby shampoo gives it extra softness. It also helps to maintain a fluffy and soft texture.
- Remove excess water by pressing with a towel, do not wring.
- Lat it flat on a surface while damp instead of hanging it.
- Iron at low temperature using a pressing cloth.
- Fold and store inside sealable garment containers.
- Do not bleach, do not hang, do not remove pills when wet or damp.
How to Remove Cashmere Pills?
Once cashmere starts to pill, the one question in mind is, 'How to remove cashmere pills?' One of the worse mistakes that first-timers do is to use a razor or scissors to remove fuzzballs. Did you know that it damages the fabric and worsens the problem? Removing cashmere pills is not as difficult as it looks. It can be easily removed using a garment bristle brush or a cashmere comb.
After you wash the fabric, simply lay it flat and brush in one direction. Your garment will look as good as new! You can also use a cashmere sweater pill remover available in the market.
Best Cashmere Sweater Pill Remover
Cashmere has become mainstream because of the comfort that it offers. Due to its increased demand, and the need for maintenance, you will be able to find some of the best cashmere sweater pill removers in the market. These include the following.
- Gleener Ultimate Fuzz Remover Manual Fabric Shaver considered the best in the market for cashmere.
- AlwaysLux EasyLint Professional Sweater Shaver, a topnotch electric fabric shaver which makes cashmere look as good as new.
- Dritz clothing care SWST Sweater Stone, ideal to preserve sweater by gently removing pills.
Caring for your cashmere garment can easily delay the occurrence of pills. But when it does appear, make sure that you give the best care to the garment to prevent further damage.
