Unwanted pellets appear when fabric fibers rub against each other and, as a result, break up and form small bumps. Often, by using and washing a particular item of clothing over and over again, we open a loophole for the problem to arise. In other words, by an irony of fate, the item you love to wear is more likely to suffer this wear. Precisely that luscious knit blouse or that outfit so diligently mined in a thrift store! But don't be discouraged: it's possible to resolve this impasse at home and preserve your favorite piece and, who knows, make it look new.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Picking Balls Using House Tools
Step 1. Take advantage of an abrasive sponge
The combination of sandpaper and sponge makes this product extremely flexible. You can find this item at very affordable prices (about R$ 15.00) in building materials stores. Sponge your clothes and you'll see the end of unwanted bumps!
Step 2. Trim the relief from the fabric with scissors
Depending on the quantity and size of the signs of wear, you can cut them out. Lay out the garment on a flat surface and hold the area to be worked taut with one hand. With the other, cut each ball individually. You can also support the cloth by placing one hand inside the piece to facilitate the task of carefully eliminating the prominences present.
- Try to keep the scissors as close to the fabric as possible. Cut carefully and slowly to avoid damage.
- The best type of scissors for this mission is nail clipping. This model tends to be less sharp and more precise, which reduces the chances of damaging the clothing during the process.
Step 3. Use a razor blade
Use the disposable version to iron the fabric already laid out on a flat surface. With one hand, keep the area to be worked taut in order to prevent the blade from slicing through the item to be saved. Make short, smooth movements directed upwards. The first scrapes should be made with as little contact as possible. You can increase the intensity of sanding as needed.
- When you can see a considerable amount of pellets piled up, it's time to remove them with strong tape (the kind used to seal cardboard boxes). Form a large ring with the sticky side out. Pinch the place full of the protrusions with the tape to remove them. Make a new adhesive ring once the first one is saturated. In the absence of duct tape, you can improvise with masking tape.
- Try using a new, sharp blade. That way you guarantee a better result. If the shaver has moisturizing strips or soap or other products, rubbing the instrument with your clothes will cause more balls to appear instead of removing them.
Step 4. Enjoy hair curlers with velcro
These beauty accessories are very soft, making them a great choice for recovering delicate fabrics such as wool and cashmere. Lay the piece out on a flat surface and keep the area to be worked well stretched. Place the roller over the worn area, then gently roll it up and out of the garment. Continue the operation until the entire region is free of the protrusions, which will be retained on the Velcro. Remove the accumulated pellets and then restart the process on another affected part.
Step 5. Get hold of a Velcro tape
This feature is cheap and easily found in any haberdashery. It's even worth the velcro on a shoe or your wallet. Lay the material with the rough side facing down and press it against the worn areas. Be careful when pulling the Velcro. Repeat the operation until all signs of wear have been removed.
This method can damage very delicate fabrics. Therefore, never use Velcro on fragile items such as cashmere or wool
Method 2 of 3: Acquiring Tools to Remove the Balls
Step 1. Buy a fine fabric comb
This product can be purchased from haberdashery and comes with short, fine teeth. The model for clothes differs from that used for hair due to the greater proximity between the teeth, which are smaller than in common models. Stretch the desired area well and comb with gentle movements. Be careful not to damage the item to be recovered.
Step 2. Invest in a pellet machine
This option is more expensive compared to other utensils. However, its speed and efficiency are worth the price to be paid. Load the batteries and lay out the laundry on a flat surface. Pass the equipment in small, circular motions. The pressure should be as gentle as possible at first. Press the pellets further against the fabric as needed. Continue with the process until all bumps have been eliminated. Waste will be retained in the machine compartment, which can be easily emptied.
Step 3. Try using a pumice stone
Its abrasive power can be very useful to recover the affected area of tissue, which must be laid out on a flat surface. Gently rub the stone against the marbled region making diagonal movements. Remove the buildup of damaged tissue with your fingers or with the help of masking tape.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing the Formation of Polka Dots on Clothes
Step 1. Try to buy items made from fabrics that pack less
Pieces made of multifiber type cloths are composed of a mixture of synthetic and natural materials. This mixture increases the chances of friction between the fibers, which allows the appearance of undesirable bumps. The tissues most vulnerable to this problem are those formed by three or more different types of fibers.
Step 2. When choosing knit blouses, give preference to items made with small stitches
Parts made this way are less likely to end up with embossing that reveal wear. Pieces that have larger points are more vulnerable to the formation of balls.
Step 3. Whenever possible, turn the clothing inside out
Thus, during washing, the inner part will be exposed to friction with the other parts and with the fibers themselves. This care is also valid when storing the item in the closet, whether hanging on a hanger or folded.
Step 4. Try to wash the clothes you want to preserve with the utmost care
When using the machine, select the gentle cycle, which is shorter and involves smoother movements that save the parts from unnecessary wear.
The ideal is to hand wash items such as knitted blouses that tend to cake more easily. There are several liquid soaps made especially for delicate clothes. Use the tank and, if possible, do not scrub
Step 5. Avoid using the dryer
The best thing is to let the piece dry naturally, hanging on the clothesline. The dryer can subject the laundry to friction, which can cause the appearance of balls.
Step 6. Choose the liquid version of the soap for washing clothes
Powder soap rubs against the garments as it dissolves in water, which increases the chances of fabric wear during the wash cycle. Therefore, liquid soaps are the best option for fragile items.
Step 7. Regularly run an adhesive roller (also known as a “catch-all brush”) on clothing
This utensil is very useful for those who have delicate pieces, as its frequent use prevents the appearance of new balls and the accumulation of these bumps on the fabric surface.