How to get rid of fluff balls from clothes, quickly and easily

Opening the wardrobe and finding that your favourite garment has started to get small fluff balls on it is a common disappointment. That effect, technically known as pilling, is the main cause for a lot of garments looking old before time. Nevertheless, just because those fluff balls appear doesn’t mean that the fabric is poor quality, it is often the result of abrasion during wear and washing.

Knowing how to get rid of fluff balls from clothes safely is fundamental to extend the life of our clothes, and make us more responsible consumers. With the right implements, we can bring back the original softness to any fabric (from cotton to wool). Let's see how!

Why do fluff balls form on clothes?

The fluff balls form when the shorter fibres of a fabric break, tangle together and are trapped on the surface because of friction or the washing cycle. It is not a problem that is exclusive to any single type of garment. It can happen to our coats, sweatshirts, shirts and even trousers.

There are several factors that speed up the process.

• The mixture of fabrics. Garments where natural and synthetic fibres are mixed (such as polyester) are usually more susceptible to pilling. 
• Mechanical abrasion and friction. The areas that are most in contact are the ones where pilling can be seen first, particularly armpits, cuffs and the sides where there is friction with rucksacks, bags and the swinging movement of our arms while walking.
• Aggressive washing. Spinning at high speed wears out the fibres and weakens them, meaning the ends break off more easily and then tangle. 

How to get rid of fluff balls from clothes according to type of fabric

In order to avoid damaging garments, adapting the method to the strength of the fibres is fundamental:

1.Woollen, knitted and delicate garments

To get rid of fluff balls from wool or delicate knitted sweaters, the ideal method is a specific brush, a small manual tool that has a fine metallic mesh instead of bristles, designed to trap and remove fluff balls from the surface. A safe household option is a new scouring pad. Use the rough side gently and always in the same direction to lift off the fluff balls without damaging the fabric. Since the fibres are elastic, a shaving razor can be used, but you need to be careful to avoid cutting the garment.

2.Cotton, sweatshirts and synthetic mixtures

On more hard-wearing clothes such as T-shirts or sweatshirts that we wear daily, a lint roller can be very effective on superficial fluff. For more stubborn balls, a disposable shaving razor is effective, providing that we do it on a flat surface without pressing down to avoid accidentally cutting the fabric.

How to avoid fluff balls appearing again

One of the most important things to bear in mind when buying clothes is the quality. Obviously, some fabrics (wool or mixes) naturally tend to make fluff balls, but you will notice the difference in better quality raw materials. Therefore, to avoid fluff balls on your clothes, we recommend the following:

• Buy clothes that are made of 100% the same fabric, or a 90%-10% mix at the most.
• Wash your clothes inside out to avoid the outer surface from rubbing, and if fluff balls do appear, they will not be visible when you are wearing the garment.
• Use fabric softener. A good fabric softener works as a lubricant that reduces friction between fibres during the wash. 
• Avoid using aggressive washing cycles excessively, or the tumble dryer. The heat and constant abrasion are the perfect conditions for fluff balls to form. 

Products to remove fluff balls from clothes

Keeping the original texture of your fabrics does not have to be difficult if you have what you need in your washing area. Spending time caring for your clothes is the best strategy to save money and dress better in the long run.

• Protection in the wash. As previously mentioned, using a protective fabric softener helps to soften the fibres and prevents them becoming brittle, thereby reducing pilling.
• Effective elimination. Lint rollers are the perfect ally for quick maintenance after each use. For more thorough removal, electric fabric shavers are a safe, professional option, since the metal mesh allows shaving the fluff balls off without any danger of cutting the fabric.

In short, looking after our clothes is a way to value our belongings and reduce our environmental impact. The next time you see those unsightly fluff balls, remember that with a little care and the right methods, your favourite garments can be brought back to new.