How to Care for Your Knitwear: Stop Pilling and Keep Your Pajamas Soft

Keep your knit pajamas and hoodies like new! Learn expert tips on washing, drying, and preventing pilling to make your loungewear last longer.

We’ve all been there. You buy a premium knit hoodie or a pair of buttery-soft pajamas, and for the first few weeks, they feel like a dream. But then, after a few trips through the laundry, you notice them—those tiny, annoying fuzzballs known as pilling.

Pilling doesn't mean the fabric is "cheap," but it does mean it’s facing too much friction. At SML Intimate, we use high-quality yarns designed to resist wear, but even the best knits need a little love.

Here is our "no-nonsense" guide to washing and caring for your knitwear so it stays as soft as the day you bought it.

1. The Golden Rule: Turn It Inside Out

Before your clothes even touch the water, flip them inside out.

Pilling is caused by fibers rubbing against each other or other clothes. By washing them inside out, the "face" of your hoodie or pajama top is protected from the friction of the agitator and other garments (like those rough denim zippers).

2. Cold Water Only (Seriously)

Heat is the enemy of knit fibers like cotton, modal, and polyester blends. Hot water can break down the fibers, leading to shrinkage and—you guessed it—more pilling.

Pro Tip:Use a gentle cycle and cold water. It’s better for your clothes, your electricity bill, and the planet.

3. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag

If you’re washing something delicate, like a rib-knit vestor lightweight sleepwear, put it in a mesh laundry bag. This acts as a shield, preventing the fabric from getting stretched or snagged by other items in the load.

4. Skip the Fabric Softener (Sometimes)

It sounds counterintuitive, but many fabric softeners contain chemicals that can actually weaken the fibers of certain knits over time, making them more prone to shedding and pilling. Instead, choose a mild, high-quality detergent.

5. The "No-Dryer" Policy

The high heat and tumbling action of a dryer is the fastest way to ruin good knitwear.

The Best Way to Dry:Lay your knits flat on a clean towel.

Why?Hanging them while wet can cause the weight of the water to stretch the shoulders out of shape (nobody wants "hanger bumps" on their favorite hoodie).

6. How to Deal with Pilling if it Happens

If your favorite joggers already have some fuzz, don't pull them off with your fingers—that just pulls more fibers out! Use a fabric shaveror a pilling comb. Gently glide it over the surface to safely remove the pills and restore the smooth finish.

The Bottom Line

Quality knitwear is an investment in your comfort. By taking an extra five minutes during laundry day to wash inside out and air dry, you can double the lifespan of your wardrobe.

Looking for knitwear that’s built to last?

At SML Intimate, we prioritize durability in every stitch. Explore our collection of [High-Quality Loungewear] and feel the difference that premium fabric makes.