Wool is a very versatile fiber. Among its top properties are the ability to absorb high amounts of moisture and still feel dry, its ability to retain heat exceptionally well, and its tendency to resist odors. While these properties earn wool high praise as a textile fiber, one of its drawbacks is something we've all dealt with–we're talking of course about pilling. Pilling, if you're unfamiliar with the term, are those small clumps or clusters of fiber that start appearing on the surface of your clothes after a few washes.

The predominant cause of pilling is excessive friction on the fabric. Therefore, if you get rid of this friction, your pilling problem also disappears. Here are some quick tips to minimizing pilling to get the most out of your wool clothes:

1. Gently hand wash your wool clothes by moving them around in soapy water for a couple of minutes. Do not rub the fabric on itself.

2. If using a washing machine, turn your wool clothes inside out and set your machine to the gentle cycle.

3. To dry, lie clothes flat on a clean surface and keep out of direct sunlight.

4. If using a dryer, set it to the delicate/low-heat cycle and consider running the dryer with a smaller load, or even better yet–running the dryer with no other clothes in it.

Following these instructions will ensure pilling is minimized and your woolens keep you looking your best.

About the author

EVERSOX is a worldwide supplier of custom branded socks for businesses, retailers, and promotional products distributors — with over 10,000 designs manufactured & 100 major brands served since 2010.