Get rid of lint from sweaters: just use these simple home remedies
Fluff, lint, pilling: Sometimes when we take the laundry out of the washing machine we find garments that seem to have aged in just one wash. In the case of wool sweaters, for example, seeing them covered with pills and fluff makes it almost wasted effort to having cleaned them and made them soft in the wash, since they now look years older. Certainly, the quality of the fibers of the fabric and of the yarns is determinative, but also the way in which we wash the clothes is a vital factor.
There are in fact a series of tips that help to avoid, or at least considerably reduce, the formation of those unpleasant wool balls and pilling. Additionally, there are some remedies that can be used when pilling has made its appearance. Read on to find out more:
- Protect the outer side of the garments by washing them inside out: this way, only the part we wear on our skin will come into contact and rub against the other clothes - the outer of the garment will remain more intact.
- Also consider the idea of using old, good-quality cotton pillowcases - preferably white or some light color - to use as washing bags for these delicate garments. In this way, the wool of the various garments washed together remains separate.
- Do not overload the washing machine: the fuller it is, the more vigorously the items will rub together.
- Considering that light-colored lint is very visible on dark clothing and vice versa, it is essential to always remember to separate the garments by color.
- Choose gentle washing cycles, perhaps also manually reducing the speed of the spin cycle (if used at all), and try to space out the frequencies of washes as much as possible for the most at-risk garments.
If you want to avoid that the lint from other clothes, or dog and cat hair, end up deposited on your favorite sweater you can:
- Insert a clean dishwashing sponge into the washing machine;
- Put some fabric softener sheets (even if already used) for the dryer into the washing drum.
Both the sponges and the sheets tend to capture a lot of the textile fibers and hairs that circulate in the washing machine during the wash.
So what do we do when the sweater is full of pilling (compact, small lint balls)?
- Rely on lint removers: there are electric or manual models, which are passed over the garment and basically "shave" the pills away.
- If you do not have this tool, you could use a normal electric shaving razor: there are those who use these in case of emergency!
- Pumice stones: there are pumice stone tablets designed for this purpose. Sometimes they have the shape of a dish washing sponge (flat and square) and are passed over the garment, making the pills and fluff disappear. The stones that are used for pedicures also work well, and they are then cleaned easily afterwards.
Do you have a favorite remedy for removing lint from sweaters?
