For most of you guys it’s probably sweater weather by now. In which case, I’m extremely jealous. Actually, it’s been quite cold here in the mornings, and a couple days last week it was cool enough for me to wear light sweaters during the day. But not my cashmere, unfortunately.
I did get around to switching out my closet a bit over the weekend though, which meant taking my sweaters out of their storage boxes and transferring them to drawers. Most of my cashmere is pretty old (5-6 years), I honestly don’t know if my Inhabit NY cashmere turtleneck is oldest or my Theory v-neck, but they were both looking a little worse for wear, having never been brushed to remove the pills. And I always hand-wash my cashmere and I swear that makes them more pill-y. Anyway, when Lilly Brush contacted me and wanted to send me a brush to try out, of course I said yes, please! I was always scared to try a sweater shaver, because what if you shave a hole in it?? I would be devastated to ruin any of my cashmere.
So, while I was transferring my sweaters, I spent some time brushing them with the Lilly Brush and am very pleased with how they turned out. Here’s one of my Inhabit cashmere cardigans – I brushed the right side (your right) and left the left side as-is, can you see the difference??
Next I tackled my favorite Inhabit cashmere turtleneck. This one was in BAD shape and took a long time to de-pill, but it was worth it, it just looks soft and cozy now, instead of ratty and old like it did before:
The brush is almost easier to use if you’re wearing the sweater, or if it’s laid out on a pillow, because you have to pull it a bit and brush it the other way. You can also use the brush to remove pet hair from furniture or clothing (I used it on my James Perse brushed jersey leggings which attract hair/lint like nobody’s business), which I love – it’s easier than getting out the vacuum cleaner, and more eco-friendly than tape rollers. The Lilly brush does not work on polyester blends though, so it won’t work on your Everlane sweatshirts if yours are pilling as badly as mine are! It’s only good on natural fibers like cashmere, cotton or wool. Overall though, it’s a fabulous product and one I’m glad I tried. I’ll put it to good use, I know, anyway, I have about five more cashmere sweaters to work on!
Would you like your own Lilly Brush? You can buy one now for $12.95 on their website, but I’m also giving away three Lilly Brushes to three lucky readers! The contest is open US & Canadian readers (yay!), and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment about your favorite or oldest sweater you’d use the Lilly Brush on. You can also leave a comment telling us how you care for your cashmere to keep it looking new and cozy for years; I’d love to hear your tips! (just leave one comment though)
I will run the contest for one week (ends next Wednesday, October 30) and choose three winners randomly from the comments. Once I’ve chosen your comment I’ll email you to confirm and then will send your information to Elsie from Lilly Brush who will send out the brushes.
Good luck!!!
(Take a look at the Lilly Brush facebook page for more reviews and pictures)
Hi Grechen,
I have several cashmere sweaters and I experience most of the pilling underneath the arms/armpits. I’ve tried using a depilling shaver and I get probably a 20% improvement with that device, its almost not worth the effort. This brush seems to be an idea that I’ve never tried but looks to work much better!
I needs me one of these! I live in WI and it was already 31 degrees this morning. I live in sweaters from Oct-May! This looks like it could save my wardrobe!
My favorite sweater is a Vince cashmere V-neck that I have had for about 6 years. Saks just sent it to me one day. I didn’t order it, but it showed up at my door! I called them and they swear they had no order for me and have no idea how it got sent to me, but I could keep it for all of the trouble it caused. Ummm ok!
I have a pumpkin-colored 3/4 sleeve cashmere sweater that could definitely use some brush love!
I have a very soft, thick pink turtleneck cashmere sweater–I think it is from Central Park West– I love. It could definitely use the brush! I care for my cashmere by storing my items either in my closet or plastic containers with cedar. I rarely get any moth holes. I’d love to say I hand wash my sweaters but I am horrible with laundry so I dry clean.
I use a D Fuzz It Sweater Comb to care for my sweaters. I’ve found you have to be extremely careful on thinner sweaters as too much combing will cause the areas to thin or holes to form.
Cashmere sweaters are a guilty treat for me. I always save up to buy at least one the day after Christmas when Bloomingdale’s puts theirs on sale. So keeping them looking nice is a priority for me. Some pill more than others (especially under the arms.) I have a sweater comb that I bought at a craft store and only use it when necessary because it’s sort of a pain. I would love to have a brush that i could de-pill my sweater while wearing it. Also, I usually wash my cashmere in the machine on gentle and block it to dry. I’ve never experienced any problems by doing this.
My “first-lady” sweater – a 3/4-sleeve, wide-necked, garnet-colored cashmere Vince cardigan – is in dire need of de-pilling. I’ve always been too afraid to tackle the de-pilling of my sweaters for the same reason as you – I’m convinced I’ll put a hole in them.
Just what I need for my old favorite Vince cowl neck,tunic length sweater. I had stopped wearing it because it looks pretty shabby. I store my sweaters between layers of tissue with cedar balls.
Thanks for the contest!
This sounds great thing, I’ve always wanted to try one, but have been a little nervous too. I have some nice men’s wool sweaters that I stole from my dad (& shrunk…) that could seriously use this though.
Kristin
crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com
I long for cooler weather to wear my favorite sweaters too – might have a frost on Friday, so fingers crossed! I have started switching over my closets, digging out my favorite cashmere sweaters, and one of the best thrift finds of all time – Saks cashmere lounge pants (I swear they were $5!) My old cashmere are big on me now but I can’t/won’t get rid of them – I can wear them with skinny jeans and they’re fashionably slouchy, right? Some of the older sweaters could use a little love – I do use a shaver but only on egregious pills where I don’t have to press on the fabric at all. I use the hand wash cycle in my front load washer, block dry flat on a sweater drying rack, and off season store with cedar. Though I’m naughty and hang more sweaters than I should because I have more hanging space than stacking space…..
I would use the Lilly Brush on my old Vince cashmere cardigan from years ago.
I just took out my Inhabit stretch cashmere v-neck this morning, and then put it back because it has so many pills under the arms. Too embarrassed to wear it without serious de-pilling. I would love to try this Lilly brush on that cozy pullover as well as my favorite cashmere cardis (two from Inhabit, one from Vince). Incidentally, I believe all of these were purchased with a code or big sale notice from you, Grechen! So thanks for that.
Last year my husband inadvertently bought me a new cashmere sweater, all thanks to excessive pilling. He took one look at my favorite thick, charcoal grey Inhabit swing cardi – in a bag with a few other clothing items from the trunk of the car – and gave it to the Salvation Army. I was taking it to the dry cleaners, to see if they could help with the pilling! He says, in his defense, that there way no way I could wear it, since it looked so ratty. After I got through being mad, I changed my attitude. Someone else got a gorgeous, cozy, pilled sweater…and I got a new one.
I have a nice collection of Vince sweaters that always pill. I love them and I want them to always look nice because they are so expensive. This brush would be a great help!
This brush looks great. I’ve tried so many different types of brushes and shavers on sweaters…a brush is definitely the way to go, as the shavers can create holes, especially in delicate knits. I have several old cashmere sweaters to use this on, and would love to try it on my Everlane cashmere cardigan from last year. I love the style and fit, but it has pilled terribly, and seems to look worse after washing. Sigh.
My oldest sweater is also a Theory – Black with white stripes on the arms. Cashmere wool mix – pilly as well.
I use a lily brush on a black pea coat that i’ve had for a couple of years! it easily gets my cat’s hair on it and the lily brush definitely helps!!
My very favorite sweater is my first Inhabit purchase. It is a beige stretch cashmere that I live in in the einter. I am not joking…I live in it! I hand wash it, and flat dry. Love that sweater š
I HAVE actually shaved holes in a good cashmere sweater. Talk about heart failure! This little gadget looks amazing and SAFE!!
Grechen, another great post. This is a “soft subject,” that’s very relevant to my wardrobe. I’d love a Lily brush for my cashmere sweaters. I usually pick off the pills, but it isn’t time effective. Even if I don’t win one, I’ll buy it anyway!
Once again, I forgot to answer your question completely. Sorry. Iād use the brush primarily on my Autumn Cashmere, cowl neck sweater. I bought it on Bluefly last year, and it was expensive even reduced. Itās lovely but it pills a lot. I care for my cashmere at home. I dislike dry cleaning, and I always drip dry.
I had no idea such an item existed!! I’ve been looking like a mess and not even realizing it..with this I finally get my cashmere back to new! Would love to win it š
I’d use this on my maternity sweaters from 4 years ago since I need them again for fall and this upcoming winter! š
sweaters with warmer winters in the deep South have such transitional items that add the pizzaz to your wardrobe
What a great product. I’d use it first on my Inhabit cashmere long v-necks. I’m looking forward to trying some of the reader tips to keep my cashmere looking good!
My oldest, most-favourite sweater is in the most beautiful shade of purple-blue. Delphinium? It may be more than 30 years old although it doesn’t look it!
Not sure what to call the colour – and it’s from Eaton’s – a very old, long-defunct department store in Canada (their Christmas catalogue was the stuff of many childhood dreams). It’s a beautiful merino wool – a quality you don’t see much anymore.
And would love to win!
We have a sweater stone at our house, however sometimes it doesnt work well š
I never knew this type of brush existed! (and I just discovered your blog, which I’m loving!- flipping through the pages all morning š I would love to use this on my vince sweaters that need some tlc
My favorite cashmere sweater is a grey theory cashmere that I’ve had since college (now 10 years) and has really stood the test of time. I dry clean it and fold it and put it away in a sweater bag every year and it’s been amazing. I do think it could probably use a little brushing though especially on the sides where the arms rub against the sweater! Does this work just as well on sweaters that have cable knit patterns and such??
Wow the before and afters are really amazing! I totally want one of these because I have a few older sweaters I rarely wear cause of pilling but can’t part with because of sentimentality. If I were to win, I would use it on a gray cashmere boyfriend cardigan by Cece that I bought in 2008 from bluefly. It has a lot of pilling but is so soft and cozy and I would love to revive it! Thank you for the opportunity.
I’ve got a beautiful but old grey wool sweater that is in desperate need of a brushing like you’ve shown in this post! My couch could also use a nice de-furring š
I have an Inhabit cashmere sweater I am in love with, but the arms are in need of help. It needs one of those brushes! I hand wash it in lukewarm water and mild detergent and ring gently, then lay flat. It’s one of my favorite sweaters and I hope to have it a very long time.
My 1st purchase was a baby blue 3 ply cashmere tunic from Precious Fibers. My fav, is a cashmere zipper hoodie in purple; a 2 ply-great for layering. The Lilly brush sounds perfect for delicate pieces such as these. I have an old shaver too, but afraid to use it. Thanks for the opportunity. You led me to Madewell, & then I had to have the cute Splendid pants from your pix. They look great on you, luv the Camo in particular.
I would love to try the Lily brush on my charcoal Inhabit cashmere cardigan though it’s more fluffy than pilled, a brushing may do it wonders. If not, I have other lovely candidate sweaters from Autumn Cashmere and IRO.
I’ve got a favorite old green hooded tunic sweater that I would no longer be embarrassed to wear out of the house if I could get all the pills off it . . . !
I am a huge fan of Lrd & Taylor’s house brand cashmere cardigans. My first cashmere ever was a black onenthat is still,holdingup beautifully a decade later. It could use a,little depilling though!
I’m still wearing a sweater from seventh grade and that was, um, a long time ago. Let the de-pilling begin!
I only have a few cashmere pieces, so they are worn pretty often throughout the winter. The leaves have just finished falling here, & it’s time to bring out the sweaters. I’d certainly get plenty of use out of a Lilly brush; for freshening the ‘pile’ of my cashmere as well as removing stray cat hairs left by my trio of kittys.