Sweater Balling and pilling?

Question

How do I prevent sweaters from pilling and balling in the wash and once they do ball, how do I remove them? I have several that do have balls already.

Answer 1

You could try handwashing or washing them inside out. Usually my sweaters are ok through the wash, it's the drier that messes them up, so I just lay them flat to dry. After the balling has already happened, you can by a clothes shaver, or just pick them off by hand, and yes that is time consuming.

Answer 2

Invest in a couple of great products. One is a laundry zipper bag made of mesh fabric. There are two sizes, one for regular clothes and a smaller one for smaller items. I use these for all my delicate, lace and sweaters. Just put your sweater in a bag, zip it up and toss into the washer with the rest of that load.
The other is a sweater shaver, I know it sounds funny, but for piling and balling a sweater shaver is so great. These come in different sizes and op on batteries.
You can do a better job than the cleaners for lots less. As a matter of fact, a while back, I used to charge my co-workers six dollars to de-fuzz their sweaters and other knitted items at work.
You can buy these inexpensive items at Sears, WalMart, Kmart, Target, etc.

You must realize that certain older fabrics do tend to ball, bead, pile and separate no matter what (especially old sweatpants fabric). Now the new stuff (Jerzees) doesn't.

Answer 3

I use sticky tape to remove the balls and pilling. Need a good strong sticky one.

Hand wash, or wash alone on gental wash... washing with towels will make balling and pilling worse.

Answer 4

Shave the balls off. (hmmm...) don't go too deep with the razor or you'll cut the fibres of the garment. Just keep a paper towel in the sink and wash the pills off the razor, and keep on shavin'! lol

Answer 5

Turn them inside out when you launder them..As for removing pills and balls I use a razor , like the ones used to shave with ..works great