The extraordinarily soft and plush fabric that is used in luxury garments today is none other than Cashmere. It is luxury wool that comes from a rare species of goats, which grow this fine wool as a downfibre. The finished products made out of this downy wool type are luxurious and expensive. Hence one needs to take care of it and follow a lot of precautions while wearing, washing, and storing it.
A lot of questions regarding the maintenance of this opulent fabric have surfaced. Many of these are related to piling. But does Cashmere pill? With so many fake and blended varieties of Cashmere in the market, we had to uncover a lot of sources and find for ourselves if it is Pure Cashmere that is prone to pilling or an imitation of the same.
Also read: 7 tests to identify genuine Pashmina
What is Pilling?
Colloquially known as bobbling, pilling refers to the formation of small fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric and gives it a rugged, worn-out appearance. These are also known as lint balls, and their formation is quite annoying for the wearer. Pilling is usually caused due to rubbing the material with itself or other surfaces. Usually apparel pills at armpits, elbows, and the areas where there is regular friction. When short fibers on the surface twist around themselves, it creates lint. This phenomenon is considered inevitable as the presence of short fibres is always found on wool and its variants. Hence, when customers ask "Does Cashmere pill", it is quite valid.
Does Cashmere Pill?
Sadly Yes. Cashmere does pill, no matter how much you try it shouldn't. Even if there are blended fabrics that contain a small percentage of Cashmere, will pill. It is a myth that designer Cashmere or too expensive ones will not pill. Unfortunately, every type of Cashmere will pill.
There is however a difference between other Cashmere weaves and a tighter weave. Tightly woven products pill less as compared to loose weave products. But again, it is almost impossible to differentiate between the two.
Also read: 5 Cashmere scarf trends to follow right now
Why does Cashmere Pill?
A number of reason which cause Cashmere to pill are stated below.
Does Cashmere Pill if you wear it wrong?
Knowing how this sweater or Cashmere wrap got huge pilling can be solved by knowing how it was worn. If you wear your Cashmere roughly, even the most high-quality and expensive ones will pill. Even if you wear your Cashmere garments carefully, pilling will still take place. In case it's a sweater your cuffs, neckline, beneath the arms are sure to pill. If it's a wrap, it will pill on the areas where the surface rubs with its own self.
Does Cashmere Pill due to environmental factors
We would wear Cashmere sweaters and wrap to the areas where rain and snow occur. But it's heavenly warmth makes us do so. As such it might be a victim to pilling. Cashmere the weakest when it is wet. If any form of precipitation touches this precious fabric, or you spill a drink over its surface, the area would lose its shape. This causes breakage which in turn causes pilling.
It's not only the outdoor factors that cause Cashmere to pill. Even at home, the way you store your it always plays a huge role in it pilling or not. It is friction that causes Cashmere to pill. And even during storage, your Cashmere is not immune to pilling. Proper Storage is essential for fine and pure fabric. Each layer has to be prevented to touch the other when you fold Cashmere for storage. Using tissue papers between folds is a good idea. Tissue paper can even soak the body oils which might be attached to the product, and prevent it from touching the other layer, thus saving our hugely invested garment or accessory.
Again, you should never pile Cashmere products over each other, This causes stress in the fibre, and the result is piling which shows up when you wear it the next season.
Also read: 7 reasons why women love Cashmere
How to remove Cashmere Pilling?
Now that we know how to be careful in the future about Cashmere care, it is time to know what to do if your Cashmere has already been a victim to these tiny balls of fibre.
Using sweater combs
The most common and easy form of de-pilling Cashmere is the use of tiny toothed combs. Simply lay the product flat on the ground and use downward strokes to comb off the fuzzy balls from the surface
Using Fabric Shavers
Electric shavers which have been designed to remove tiny knobs from wool and other kinds of fabrics prone to pilling are the best to use for de-pilling Cashmere. Do not use the common shaver which you use in the shower. It might prove harmful to the base.
Lint Roller
Lint rollers are yet another invention to pull out fuzzy lint caused due to friction of the fabric. Electric lint rollers gently remove pilling and make the surface smoother.
Brushes or lint stone
Be it brushes or a lint stone, both perform similarly. Lint stone has a pock-marked surface which when rubbed against the Cashmere base tends to pull out fuzzballs. Similarly, Cashmere garment brushed work in the same way. Just lay your garment flat, and brush it downwards. Be gentle though.
Scissors
If the pilling area is less, then using scissors is the most convenient and easy method. Simply hold the surface tight, and clip off the fuzzballs one by one. This method doesn't work if the area to be de-pilled is large.
Tips to prevent fuzz balls from forming over Cashmere in the future
- Do not wash Cashmere with every single use. Wash it once every year. However, if you wear it quite often, still wash it after 2 to 4 wears. Everyday washing will cause more friction between the layers and cause pilling as a result.
- Never wring or scrub the fabric. If your wrap is stained and you need spot cleaning, just pour some Cashmere shampoo on the stain and gently rub it with your finger. Do not be harsh with Cashmere. Remember the fibre diameter is just 12 -16 microns.
- Do not stack Cashmere garments one over the other. But do not reserve one whole shelf for them either. Instead, be careful with its storage. Instead, fold acid-free tissue paper between the layers if you plan to store it for longer seasons. Even for regular users, use tissue paper between the layers. This paper needs not be replaced every season and can be repeated a few times.
Also read: Are Cashmere scarves worth it?