The Truth About Pilling: How to Keep Your Cashmere Timeless

The Truth About Pilling: How to Keep Your Cashmere Timeless

Cashmere is one of nature’s finest fibres—beloved for its unrivalled softness, featherweight warmth, and timeless elegance. But even the most luxurious yarn can form pills over time. At Elle & Riley, we believe in transparency and education—because with the right care, your garments will remain as exquisite as the day you fell in love with them.

What Is Pilling, Really?

Pilling is not a flaw, but a natural occurrence in soft, short-staple fibres like cashmere. As you wear your sweater, gentle friction causes some of the delicate fibres to lift and form small balls on the surface. It’s a sign of use—not quality. In fact, the softest, highest-grade cashmere tends to pill initially, simply because the fibres are finer and more supple.

The Solution Isn’t Avoidance—It’s Maintenance

Much like fine shoes need polishing or silk needs careful storage, your cashmere deserves regular attention. Proper de-pilling helps maintain the garment’s surface integrity and encourages loose fibres to shed—after which pilling significantly reduces.

Our Cashmere Care Essentials

To help you care for your investment pieces, we’ve curated a small but powerful collection of cashmere care tools:

Cashmere Comb - Perfect for lighter knits, it gently removes pills without damaging the fabric.

Sweater Stone – Ideal for chunkier knits, this natural volcanic stone lifts pills effortlessly from textured surfaces.

Cashmere Brush – Not only removes lint and surface fibres, but also refreshes the fabric’s nap, giving your sweater a renewed finish.

Each of these tools is easy to use and designed to extend the life of your garments—while preserving their beauty.

I always tell our customers: pilling is like dust on a beloved painting—it doesn’t diminish its worth, it just needs care. Treat your knitwear like an heirloom, and it will last for generations.

elle pugh - founder

A Ritual of Reverence

Incorporating a simple care routine—like brushing your cashmere after wear or de-pilling gently every few wears—not only enhances longevity, it becomes a ritual of appreciation. These are not disposable garments—they’re timeless companions.

Shop more care products below.

Enjoy 10% off your first purchase when you sign up. Discover the year-round luxury of garments made to last—crafted with care, worn with ease.

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