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Leave your clothing looking and feeling brand new, safely.

But there are pros and cons to this practice, so to learn more about long-term sweater care, we tapped a few experts to give us their thoughts on the subject and share their favorite sweater-care products. Catherine Lerer Anderson, a New York City-based brand consultant and stylist who specializes in knitwear, explained that the structure of the fiber itself is what makes certain fabrics more prone to pilling than others. “The molecular structure of complex animal hair fibers (which also vary by type and breed, just like our hair!) explains its resilience and recovery in contrast to the smooth and simple engineering of petroleum-based synthetic strands, which eventually break down forever…into pills, snags, and yes, microplastics.”

Brooke Beaney, designer and owner of Judith in Portland, Maine, added that fiber length, the tightness of the twist of the yarn, how it’s finished and how a wearer treats a garment can also account for pilling.

Both agreed that the best way to extend the life of sweaters is to hand-wash them in cold water or, if you must machine wash them, place them in a large mesh bag on a delicate cycle before laying them flat to air dry. Beaney also recommended storing sweaters flat, as opposed to hanging them.

They also recommended being careful of the jewelry you wear, the bags you carry and the activities you partake in while wearing fine-knit sweaters. Heavy jewelry could snag fabrics like fine-gauge alpaca or a loose-knit cashmere, according to Beaney. Anderson cautioned us to avoid direct friction to help prevent pilling, like carrying raw suede or heavy duct canvas bags while wearing a delicate sweater. “I am not overly cautious when I wear more fine knits, they are meant to be lived in and enjoyed! But I am more selective about when I do wear them,” she said. 

And while shaving is not either of their first option for removing pills and fuzzies, neither was completely opposed to it either. “Some may say it’s better to shave off the loose ends and pills, which is more like a hair trim, rather than brush or comb them off to avoid pulling out more fiber, but I let the nature of the garment be the judge for the job,” said Anderson.

Anderson feels comfortable using an electric shaver if the garment is sturdy and densely knit or woven, the pills or fuzzies are high-pile, if there is a significant amount of wear that would take longer to remove by hand and if your device has been tested on a similar textile.

When shaving or combing, “be diligent about laying the garment flat and slightly taut to avoid snags or holes,” Anderson cautioned. If you are using an electric shaver, be warned that “putting too much pressure on the shaver can push the fabric through the guard and into the blades,” which could result in the fabric catching and cutting the fibers. 

Nori’s highly-rated electric fabric shaver is the knitwear depilatory of choice for New York City-based knitwear expert Catherine Lerer Anderson. It's definitely on the splurgier side, but she hasn't had any fateful incidents since she began to use it. 

This tool from Gleener not only quickly and gently removes pills and fuzz, but also has an integrated lint remover that dusts away pet hair and dandruff as it goes. It is small, handy and perfect to use on the go. "This tool has everything but the motor!" says Anderson.

We love a versatile tool that saves us money in the long run. One reviewer said, "This is an awesome tool to keep sweaters looking fresh! I have few cashmere sweaters that had pilled, I used this and it fixed them right up...I love the fact that this has different levels of coarseness, makes me feel safer with delicate fabrics."

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in seven colors).

This sweater rake is perfect for those looking to avoid batteries and chargers. It not only gives clothes a facelift, but also removes pet hair, crumbs and more from fabrics. It has a pure copper head that will work wonderfully for years to come. You can use it on your sweaters and coats, but it's also great for couches, blankets, bedspreads and even rugs. Anderson has a similar one from Purl Soho on her wishlist, but this one would definitely get the job done while the belovd knitting store restocks.

Anderson recommends this splurgey cashmere clothes brush. It's made wieth oiled pearwood handle and soft, light black bristles that can help to clear out dust, hair and dirt and keep your clothes in great shape. 

Anderson recommends the Laundress’s slightly bigger and sharper wire comb for midweight knits. Toss this sweater comb in your bag and you're good to go. Use it on everything from fine-gauge knits like cashmere, merino and mohair to sturdier blends and synthetics to get rid of unwanted pilling and fuzz.

I've used this this Conair fabric shaver for years on my sturdier, synthetic blend sweaters, and it always leaves them looking and feeling like new. With over 63,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, it’s is as easy to use as it is effective. It's adjustable, so you can use it on a variety of fabrics, and it has a detachable lint catcher that makes cleanup a breeze. You can even use it on a couch! There's also a rechargeable option for a slightly higher price, if you don't want to deal with batteries. 

Get it from Amazon for $8.54+ (available in two colors).

Feel like you're on the set of Downton Abbey with this elegant garment brush. It is ideal for getting rid of lint, fuzz and dust from cashmere or woolen clothing. Not only does it get them tidy and clean, but brushing between wears helps release natural oils that rejuvenate the yarns to keep them looking like new. It's suitable on fabrics like velvet, sherpa, suits and more, and can even get pet hair off fabric. It's not for pilling, but will definitely help to extend the life of beautiful clothing. It's made with solid beech wood and pure boar bristles and is similar to the Shoji Works brush that Brooke Beaney, designer and owner of Judith in Portland, Maine, uses on her knits. and the Redecker brush that Anderson recommends, but at a lower price point.

Get it from Amazon for $18.89 (available in two colors).

This natural, volcanic pumice stone is shaped to fit perfectly in your hand as you brush the pills and fuzz away. It is a great alternative to dry cleaning or harsher methods that can harm delicate fabrics. Anderson keeps one on hand as a backup for options like the previously mentioned shaver and brush.

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