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Pilling

15 years ago

My clothes wears out pretty fast. One of the biggest problems is pilling. I don't know what the problem is.

I replaced my old washer with a new FL, but it didn't seem to help. I started buying more expensive clothes, but I still get pilling, even on brand new items. I stopped buying anything with acrylic, because I read it pills more easily. But I'm still getting pilling on new clothes.

My mom said not to wash sweaters with other sweaters. But how to I keep my pajamas and t-shirts from pilling? I can't give every knit item its own load.

Can the laundry experts here tell me what my problem could be? Too much detergent? Too little detergent? The wrong detergent? Soemthing else?

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Comments (8)

dadoes
15 years ago
Turn the items inside-out when washing and drying. They may pill on the inside then, but it won't be noticeable when wearing them. Also fasten zippers and snaps. Buttons are optional, but may be necessary to keep button-shirts inside-out throughout the washing and drying process.
angelic_one2002
15 years ago
I always heard that the heat of the dryer is harder on clothes and causes pilling more than anything else. The dryer's heat breaks down the fibers causing pilling.
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beaglenc
15 years ago
I have the same problem,too. Didn't have it with my TL, seems to happening with my bosch. Don't think it's the dryer because most of my clothes are not in there very long.
grainlady_ks
15 years ago
Pilling:

1. "Cheap" fabric and some synthetics are prone to pilling.

2. Friction - from normal wear - under arms, collars and cuffs, etc.; as well as in the washer and dryer. You'll even notice pilling on furniture - also caused by friction.

Use a "pill shaver" (Fuzz Buster / Clothes Shaver) designed to remove pilling from cloth, or a Sweater Stone (see link below).

I have less pilling since I quit using the dryer and line dry instead.

-Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweater Stone
kasane
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the advice. I'll try a pill shaver. We have one somewhere, but I never used it.

For what it's worth, I only use the dryer for towels and sheets. I sometimes put clothes in for 10-15 minutes to fluff, but never more than that. I'm afraid of my clothes shrinking. I have had that happen too often.

Can anybody tell me how to purchase clothing that won't wear out right away? My husband seems to think that anything expensive must be good, but I've had trouble with expensive clothes too. Price is not a guarantee of quality! (And I'm less forgiving of poor quality in expensive clothes than cheap clothes, because I paid for quality.)
Tracey_OH
15 years ago
I second the advice of turning everything inside out. That and line drying items. This is the only thing that's helped me with wear and tear and keeping clothes looking newer for longer.

Tracey
chambleemama
15 years ago
Spend an hour combing through clothing in your nearest thrift or consignment shop. Make note of the labels on clothes that look the best--and the worst. Some of the most expensive clothes don't last long enough to be donated, and some of the most reasonably-priced clothes are wardrobe workhorses.

Use the shortest wash that will get your clothing clean, and I agree about closing zippers and turning clothes inside out. I use zipper bags for anything with strings or hooks, also for anything particularly delicate.
oregpsnow
15 years ago
A good quality lingerie bag is a great way to protect delicate items from friction in the washer. Buy the good ones - Woolite and Tide (at Target in the closet aisle) are good. The cheap bags are not as tightly woven and cause more friction on the clothes.

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