What a Pill!

Lately I’ve been asked about LooHoos and wool pilling and lint buildup.

Does this mean that the wool dryer balls have lost their verve, ready to be discarded and replaced? Luckily, the answer is no. Wool dryer balls work just as well despite a loosening of fibers. In fact, dryer balls can withstand over a thousand loads of laundry.

Lint and pilling are caused by heavy friction, especially when washing and drying heavier fabrics like fleece, cotton and polyester blends. While lower-performing wool balls start to unravel at a quicker rate, LooHoos are tightly wound with thin strands of wool and are less likely to pill.

With that being said, high temperatures may weaken fabric, which can loosen fibers and lead to pilling. Using multiple dryer balls (four to six for small dryers, six to eight for larger dryers) and low heat can increase their effectiveness and minimize pilling.

Laundry experts also recommended hand washing dryer balls with a gentle detergent in warm water every six to 12 months to address any fuzz balls that may surface. Gently scrub with a clean cloth or soft brush to remove pilling and lint, rinse with cold water then set on a towel to completely air dry before sending back to work in the dryer. If you prefer to clean them in a washing machine, place wool dryer balls in a mesh bag, wash with laundry and air dry. A sweater shaver, lint remover or scissors can be used to remove the fibers or small balls before washing.

So what about lint and pilling on laundry? Read on to discover how to help mitigate these minor annoyances and preserve your clothing and other items:

Clean Prep

Zippers, buttons and hooks can be abrasive so turn clothing inside out before washing and drying. Check all pockets; coins and other items can agitate fibers during the laundering process. Separate laundry by material. Silk, rayon and linen, for example, produce very little pilling, while knitted fabrics experience more due to their looser fibers.

Avoid Fabric Softeners

While fabric softeners help mitigate pilling, many brands on the market can damage fabric and are considered toxic. Wool dryer balls are a safer alternative that help circulate and fluff laundry. The smooth wool helps reduce friction in the dryer while also softening laundry. Just be sure to replace dryer balls when you start to see their wool unravel—but that will take hundreds of loads!

Cycle on Gentle

Fabrics such as rayon, polyester blends and acrylic are prone to pilling due to their short fibers, which loosen easily. Washing with harsh detergents, high water temperatures and heavy agitation can weaken fibers, so opt for a gentle liquid detergent and wash in cold water on the gentle cycle. Hand wash when you can, especially when cleaning sensitive fabrics such as cashmere and high-quality wool.

Dryer Dos

When it’s time to dry, select low heat and remove laundry from the dryer as soon as the cycle is complete. Moisture can trap fibers together, which leads to pilling, and heat worsens the pilling. Whenever possible, air dry sensitive items. Lay knitted items on a flat surface to dry in order to retain clothing’s shape and avoid shrinkage.

Lighten the Load

Since pilling occurs with heavy friction, reduce the amount of laundry in your washer and you’ll cut down on the friction. (That goes for the dryer as well!) A safe amount is a third to less than half of the tub filled with laundry.

Get the Lint Out
Lint loosens fibers and is another pill-causing culprit so make sure to clean the lint receptacle after every cycle. If you’re drying heavy laundry, such as towels or bedding, remove accumulated lint halfway through and again at the end of each cycle.

You may be asking, now that we know what causes pilling, how do we remove those pesky balls? Read on!

1. Hang clothing freely in a closet rather than stuffing in a drawer or cubby to prevent items from rubbing against each other. 

2. Stock your laundry area with a hand-held fabric shaver available in rechargeable and battery-operated forms. Sweater combs and stones and lint rollers also are viable options for removing pilling.

3. Snip off the balls with a pair of small fabric scissors or remove using nail clippers.