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Despite its Costliness, Why Does Cashmere Still Pill

Cashmere, as a high-grade natural fiber, is known for its soft, warm and comfortable properties. It comes from mountain goats, mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and other places. Cashmere fiber is delicate and soft, has good thermal insulation properties, can withstand cold weather, so it is widely used in the production of high-end clothing and household goods. Its precious texture makes cashmere products enjoy a high status in the market, and the price is relatively high.

 

Pilling refers to the use of cashmere products for a period of time, the surface will appear small spherical fiber clusters, so that the original smooth fabric becomes not smooth enough, affecting the beauty. Pilling phenomenon not only appears in cashmere products, but also generally exists in other fiber products, such as wool, cotton and so on. The main reason is that the fiber is subjected to friction and pulling during use, causing a part of the fiber surface to loosen and eventually form a ball.

 

So why do expensive cashmere garments pilling up?

 

The fiber fineness of cashmere is small and the surface is smooth, which makes the cashmere product itself relatively difficult to pilling. However, even the high-quality cashmere products, it is inevitable that pilling phenomenon.

 

Although the cashmere fiber itself is soft and smooth, it will inevitably be rubbed by the external environment and human movement in the daily wearing process. For example, when wearing cashmere clothing to wipe with other fiber materials, or when in contact with objects such as seats and bags, friction will occur, which will aggravate the loosening and falling off of the surface fibers of cashmere, resulting in pilling phenomenon.

 

Taken together, these factors explain why even high-priced cashmere clothing is not immune to pilling. Therefore, when buying cashmere products, consumers should not only pay attention to the texture and quality of the products, but also understand and take the correct maintenance methods to extend the service life of cashmere clothing.

 

Characteristics and production process of cashmere

 

Cashmere is the fine, soft hair cut from goats, which is warm, soft and light. It mainly comes from goats from the high and cold regions, such as the Tibetan antelope in the Himalayas and the Mongolian sheep in Inner Mongolia. The characteristics of cashmere are mainly reflected in its fiber structure, which is very fine, between 12 and 18 microns in diameter, thinner than human hair. This makes the cashmere soft and delicate to the touch and very comfortable to wear. In addition, cashmere also has good thermal properties, can effectively maintain body temperature, so it is widely used in the production of winter clothing and household goods.

 

The production process of cashmere products is quite complex and needs to go through many processes to complete. The first is to collect the cashmere, which is usually done when the wool is changing seasons, to ensure the texture and softness of the wool. This is followed by cleaning and grading, where the collected cashmere is divided into different grades according to quality. Then there is spinning, where the cashmere fibers are processed and spun into thread. Next comes weaving or knitting, where the spun cashmere thread is woven into cloth or knitted into a finished product. Finally, finishing and trimming, finishing and trimming the made cashmere products to ensure that the appearance is clean and good quality.

 

There is a close relationship between the quality of cashmere and its price. In general, high-quality cashmere has a higher price, which is determined by the scarcity of its raw materials and the complexity of the production process. High-quality cashmere usually comes from a good breed of goats, after careful breeding and scientific feeding, the output of the wool is softer, smooth, and higher quality. In addition, the production of high-quality cashmere products requires exquisite craftsmanship and a high level of technology, including spinning, weaving, finishing and other links, which increase the production cost. Therefore, the higher price of cashmere products often represent higher quality and more exquisite craftsmanship, which can provide consumers with a better wearing experience and long-term use value.

 

The cause of pilling phenomenon

 

Pilling of cashmere is closely related to its fiber structure. Cashmere fibers have a special conical structure with many scales on the surface. These scales are vulnerable to damage or wear during the manufacturing process, resulting in uneven fiber surfaces that contribute to pilling. The fiber diameter of cashmere is very fine, usually around 15-20 microns, and this fiber fineness makes its surface area relatively large, so it is more prone to pilling during use. In addition, the softness and elasticity of cashmere fiber also affect its wear resistance, making pilling more likely to occur.

 

In addition to the characteristics of cashmere itself, environmental conditions can also have an impact on pilling. The humidity of the air is an important factor, and the dry environment will cause the cashmere fiber to become more fragile, easy to break and wear, which will aggravate the occurrence of pilling. In addition, friction is also one of the main causes of pilling. During the wearing or cleaning process, friction between cashmere products and other surfaces can cause wear and damage to the fiber surface, which in turn forms pilling. Especially when in contact with rough surfaces or organic fibers, friction will be more obvious, accelerating the production of pilling.

 

Improper cleaning and maintenance methods are also one of the important reasons for pilling cashmere. Cashmere products are vulnerable to chemical and mechanical damage during the cleaning process. For example, using too strong a detergent or bleach can damage the structure of the cashmere fiber, making it more prone to pilling. In addition, incorrect washing methods, such as scrubbing or too strong wringing, can also exacerbate the pilling degree of cashmere. Proper cleaning and maintenance methods should be gentle and avoid excessive friction and the use of chemicals to maintain the texture and appearance of cashmere products.

 

In the pilling of cashmere products, the above three aspects are intertwined and work together. Understanding these reasons, choosing the appropriate cleaning and maintenance methods, as well as paying attention to the impact of environmental conditions, can effectively reduce the pilling phenomenon of cashmere products, extend its service life, and maintain its high-quality appearance and feel.

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