A wardrobe item such as a coat is purchased for more than one season. Over time, pellets may appear on the surface of the product.
Because of them, the item looks unpresentable and worn. There are ways to remove pellets at home; you just need to choose a convenient option, taking into account the properties of the fabric.
- Why do pills form on woolen or drape items?
- Traditional removal methods
- Subtleties of cleaning for different materials
- Preventing the appearance of pellets
Why do pills appear on my coat?
A wool, cashmere or drape coat is one of the most beautiful and noble types of outerwear. Unfortunately, after some time, pills inevitably appear on things, and as their number increases, the clothes lose their attractiveness.
Small lumps appear because individual fibers of the fabric lose their smoothness and begin to fray. This does not affect the practical comfort of the clothing; the product remains just as warm, the threads do not break, and no holes appear on the item. But the microscopic frayed fibers gradually roll into small lumps, which are called pellets.
Small clumps of lint greatly spoil the appearance of clothes.
The appearance of pellets is provoked by several factors:
- Improper coat care. If you machine wash clothes intended for hand washing, use too caustic powder, or violate the recommendations for drying the item, then lumps will appear very quickly as the fibers begin to lose their integrity.
- Careless wearing. If certain places of the product, for example, elbows, floors or pockets, often rub against any surface, then the fabric in these places quickly begins to become shaggy and covered with pellets.
- Manufacturing defect in the manufacture of the item. If the threads of the fabric are twisted too loosely, then lumps will appear very quickly even when worn carefully.
Pills almost inevitably appear on coats of all types. But they become noticeable faster on woolen clothes, which, moreover, have undergone almost no chemical treatment during the production process. The fibers of such fabric are more sensitive to mechanical stress and changes in humidity.
Important! In autumn and winter, the coat often gets wet in the rain and snow. If you do not hang it out to dry, but simply leave it on a hanger in the hallway, this will negatively affect the condition of the fabric and lead to the rapid appearance of small lumps.
Reasons for appearance
To solve a problem, you need to know about the reasons for its occurrence. What can cause the appearance of pellets?
- The first reason is matter itself. Oddly enough, the more natural fibers in the product, the more likely it is that you will soon find small balls on your clothes.
- Due to frequent wear. You cannot wear the same coat every day, thereby exposing it to constant friction.
- If an item was bought “cheaply,” it is most likely made of poor quality. For example, the threads may be poorly twisted - this makes the product more vulnerable.
- Due to improper care, pilling can also form on clothes. Be sure to ensure that the washing cycle and detergent are selected correctly.
How to clean a coat from pellets using traditional methods
If lumps of fabric become noticeable on the product, this does not mean that the item is hopelessly damaged. It is quite possible to restore a neat and presentable appearance to clothes. You can do this in several simple home ways.
How to quickly remove coat pellets with a toothbrush
You can easily remove pellets from a wool coat using an old toothbrush. This method works especially well if the pile of the product is long.
The toothbrush works well on small lumps
To remove pellets, you need to take a dry brush and run it along the fabric fibers several times with light pressure. As it moves, the brush will pick up lumps and carry them along with it, leaving only smooth and clean fabric.
The disadvantage of this method is that cleaning the product with a small brush can take a lot of time. It is better to use this method in cases where there are not too many lumps on the coat, and they are noticeable only in certain places.
How to remove pellets from a coat with tape
Another way to eliminate lumps on your coat is to apply tape to the frayed areas of the fabric. It is best to take wide tape, it will be more convenient to use and you will achieve results faster.
Apply adhesive tape as follows:
- the adhesive tape is glued to the desired area of the product;
- smooth out several times so that the sticky surface is pressed more tightly against the fabric;
- They tear off the tape with a sharp movement.
The principle of operation is the same as for hair removal - the pellets are securely glued to the sticky surface, and then come off the fabric when the tape is removed. This method works best if the pills on the coat have just formed and are not yet too noticeable; removing them with tape is quite simple.
An effective means for cleaning clothes from pellets - adhesive tape
Advice! If you don’t have tape on hand, you can use a sticky patch - the effect will be similar. But masking adhesive tape or electrical tape will not work for removing lumps; they do not stick well to the fabric surface.
How to remove pellets from a coat with scissors
A reliable option for removing lumps from the surface of the fabric is to use sharp scissors for this purpose. It is necessary to lay out the product on a flat surface, smooth out the necessary places and, if necessary, lightly comb the pile. After this, the lumps are simply cut off individually with scissors.
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Scissors are a very effective way to deal with lumps, but not very convenient. Cleaning a coat takes a long time, since each pellet has to be processed manually. In addition, there is a high risk of damaging the product if you move it carelessly. It is recommended to use this method if there are relatively few pellets on things, and they are quite large, so that other cleaning methods do not work.
How to remove pills from a coat with a razor
Using a razor is an effective, quick, but dangerous way to remove pellets from drape or wool fabric. The product is straightened out on a table or on an ironing board and the fabric is properly stretched, after which several quick but careful movements are made from bottom to top. The razor blade cuts off the pellets, leaving the coat fabric smooth and clean.
You can clean the fabric with a razor, but you need to do it carefully
Great care must be taken when using the razor to avoid damaging the fibers. It is not recommended to direct movements from top to bottom, as there is a much higher risk of accidentally cutting the coat. In addition, it is better to take a razor that is not new. For removing pellets, a blade that is slightly dull but still capable of cutting fabric fibers is ideal.
Attention! The razor can only be used on products with a smooth and even texture. Embossed fabrics and pilling on a cashmere coat cannot be processed in this way.
How to remove pellets from a coat with a comb
If a long-haired coat has become matted, you can use a regular comb; its teeth should be frequent and short. The fabric should be laid out on a level place and a comb should be combed along the fibers with slight pressure. The teeth of the comb will catch the pellets and remove them from the surface of the fabric, provided they are large enough to get stuck between the teeth.
The option is considered quick and safe for the coat, but most often does not give a 100% result. Therefore, after using the comb, it is recommended to additionally treat the clothing with adhesive tape or a toothbrush, this will remove and eliminate the remaining lumps.
How to clean pellets from a coat at home with breadcrumbs
If your new drape coat is covered in pellets, you don’t need to take a razor or scissors to remove small lumps. An excellent effect will come from ordinary bread crumbs, dried in the oven or in a frying pan without the use of oil.
Use a cracker in much the same way as a razor or tape. The rolled product is stretched on a convenient horizontal surface, after which a cracker is forcefully passed over the pellets in the direction from top to bottom. The effect is achieved due to the fact that dried bread has a hard, rough and porous surface - lumps cling to the cracker and come off the fabric.
Bread crumbs can replace sandpaper when cleaning clothes
It is almost impossible to damage a drape coat in this way, so using a cracker is considered safe. After cleaning, all that remains is to shake off the crumbs from the clothes.
Advice! It is better to cut the bread for making crackers into thicker slices, in which case the piece will crumble less when cleaning the fabric.
How to remove pellets from a coat with sandpaper
To clean clothes made of coarse fabric, you can use sandpaper - it removes the pills quite effectively and leaves behind a clean and smooth fabric. The rolled up coat needs to be laid out horizontally on the table, straightened out properly, and then rubbed with sandpaper several times over those places where lumps are noticeable.
When processing you need to adhere to several rules:
- use only fine-grained sandpaper; coarse-grained sandpaper will be able to remove pellets, but will most likely damage the fabric itself;
- do not rub the same place on the clothing with force - movements should be long, smooth and light so that the fibers of the fabric do not receive unnecessary damage;
- Do not use sandpaper on coats made from sensitive, fine fabrics such as cashmere or wool.
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Emery is best suited for cleaning drape coats. If after treatment there are small weak lumps left on the surface of the fabric, it is better to remove them in other ways. Excessive use of sandpaper can damage entire fibers of the fabric, causing new lumps to appear very quickly.
To remove lumps from fabric, use fine-grained sandpaper
How to quickly get rid of pellets on a coat with a washcloth
You can remove pills from a polyester or cashmere coat using a stiff washcloth. Its structure is rough, but soft enough not to damage sensitive material.
As in all previous cases, the coat should be placed evenly on an ironing board or table, straightened and slightly stretched with your hands, and then rubbed with a dry washcloth. It is better to take a new, never used washcloth; its texture retains optimal rigidity. You need to make movements in the direction of the fibers.
What to pay attention to when working with different materials
If you don’t know what fabric the coat is made of, it’s better not to bother removing the pellets. Usually the composition of the product is indicated on the label, which is sewn into the lining. There is no universal method that will solve this problem on all types of fabrics. The canvases differ in structure, so what is suitable for one material is strictly contraindicated for another. Knitted and woven wool products have a long pile, so it is better to trust their processing to specialists. With minor damage, bald spots form.
Advice! If the coat is inexpensive and there are few pellets, you can try pulling them out with your fingers. But there is a high probability that the threads will pull out.
Things are easier with outerwear made of drape, which has a smooth surface. Boucle is a rough material with a rough surface. Refers to loose tissues. When coughing, the item should be dry cleaned.
How to remove coat pellets with a machine
One of the best methods for getting rid of pellets is to use a special machine. The compact device is equipped with numerous miniature blades with height adjustment, which allows you to adjust the machine so as not to damage the fabric during the cleaning process.
The machine must be used according to the instructions. Usually the device is placed parallel to the laid out fabric, the coat is stretched and, holding it with one hand, the machine is passed over problem areas. There is no need to press the device firmly against the fabric; a very light touch is enough for the machine to do its job.
The good thing about this method is that it allows you to remove lumps from clothes very quickly, cleanly and without extra effort. The disadvantages include the fact that, according to reviews, pellet removal machines are not suitable for thin, sensitive fabrics; they often leave not only snags, but also holes.
A cleaning machine is a useful purchase for caring for things
If you regularly roll up a drape coat or cashmere outerwear, then purchasing a machine will be justified, despite the expense. You will have to remove lumps from clothes one way or another, the device will allow you to do this as carefully and quickly as possible.
Subtleties of cleaning for different materials
Each type of fabric from which a coat is made requires its own precautions.
Drapova
The thick drape retains its shape well and does not wrinkle during wear. You can rid a product made of such fabric from pellets using:
- cars;
- razors;
- tape;
- sticky tape.
Woolen
Large lumps that appear on wool can be easily removed using nail scissors or a toothbrush. For small lumps it is better to use a special machine. During processing, it is important not to make movements against the pile, so as not to stretch the fabric.
How to remove pellets from a coat at the dry cleaner
If you need to remove pills from your outerwear, but you don’t have time to do it yourself, you can use dry cleaning services. Professional workers will not only make the clothes neat, but will also be able to clean the coat without violating the rules of care.
In dry cleaning conditions, lumps from outerwear are usually removed in several ways:
- using machines;
- using special brushes and combs to remove pellets;
- using special sponges with an abrasive surface.
Dry cleaning services cost money, but they guarantee that lumps will be removed with truly high quality and without damage to clothing. Of course, you need to choose dry cleaning carefully and trust your clothes only to real professionals.
Woolen
It is most difficult to remove pellets from a woolen coat, since wool has a rather long pile
, when cut off, the appearance of the clothing can change significantly. In this regard, you can remove pellets from a wool coat in the following ways:
- A special machine called a “trimmer”
.
The principle of its operation is simple: you slowly move the machine in those places where you want to remove the pellets, and the machine carefully cuts them off. At the same time, you have the opportunity to control the cutting height of the pellets so as not to touch the pile of the woolen coat.
This machine is relatively inexpensive and can be used to remove pills from any clothing. - Another way to remove pills from a coat is with scissors
.
This method requires a lot of time and accuracy, since with one awkward movement you can easily ruin a woolen coat. Cut off the pellets carefully, being careful not to touch the wool pile. - If the pile is long enough, then you can use a wide-toothed comb
. Just comb the fur until all the pellets are removed. - In addition, you can remove the pellets simply by tearing them out with your hands
, but in this case there is also a risk of damaging the coat. - The last, most reliable, but far from the most economical way to remove pellets from a woolen coat is dry cleaning
. There, professionals will tidy up your clothes for a fee.
How to prevent pilling on your coat
Over time, lumps appear on almost any fabric; it is almost impossible to completely insure a coat against them. But it is quite possible to delay the appearance of pellets and make sure that they occur infrequently and in small quantities.
It is important to follow the following rules:
- When washing and drying, you must carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions: wash the coat only at the specified temperatures, do not put it in the machine if this cannot be done, and do not dry it using heaters.
- To wash outerwear, you need to use not ordinary powder, but a washing gel with a soft composition; such a product will not harm the fabric and will help extend the life of the clothing.
- When hand washing wool or cashmere coats, do not rub too hard with your hands. Mechanical impact has a bad effect on the integrity of the tissue and leads to the appearance of pellets.
Proper care helps reduce the number of lumps on clothes
To make it easier to remove lumps from clothes, it is recommended to regularly inspect your coat in the area of the elbows, collar, armpits and pockets, where pellets appear most often. Backpacks and bags should be worn so that they have minimal contact with the fabric and do not rub too much against its surface.
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, thinning of the cross section, 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 setting.
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.
Lifehack 5 - sandpaper
Fine-grit sandpaper is a great alternative for removing pellets if you don't have a razor or machine at hand. They work with sandpaper just like with an old razor. Stretch and fix the woolen fabric, using sandpaper to remove lumps of wool from the pile of the sweater, working from bottom to top.
Advice:
If your favorite sweater pills heavily and quickly, you can use the sandpaper method every week. This will not ruin your clothes.
