I’m going to begin this post by admitting that I am a total dweeb.
That said, I was googling how to remove “fuzzies” from fabric since our couch has an excess of what is technically called “pilling”. Everyone knows what pilling is, we just might not know what it’s called. Those annoying little fuzz balls that form on fabric over time? That’s pilling.
What I discovered upon searching were these little devices called fabric shavers that can trim off these fuzzies while leaving the good fabric in tact. It can work on furniture, clothing, etc.. Awesome. Wait, not awesome…further research shows that unless you purchase an expensive fabric shaver, the motor can burn out easily. So I gots an idea. What if I used a human shaving device instead?
I’ve got a pretty decent hair and beard trimmer that just might work – check it out.
Below is a photo of my favorite sweater of all time. I don’t really like sweaters usually, but this one isn’t all fragile and weak like most Mr. Roger’s varieties. I bought this sweater right around 7.8 years ago. I remember exactly when and where I bought it because it was a necessity purchase. During that time my new wife Allison took a trip to Europe for a month for her college program. I was stuck at home, so Allison’s dad invited me to go with him to Montana for a week while he was at a Judge’s conference. ( Yes…Allison’s dad is a judge. )
While her father was away during the day at the conference, I was free to roam through Whitefish Montana and explore Glacier National Forest. One day, I hopped on a chair lift that took me to the top of a mountain. At the bottom of the mountain, it was a comfortable 65 degrees and the t-shirt I was wearing was just perfect. As I slowly climbed this mountain via chair on cable, it quickly became apparent that my t-shirt was a bad idea. The lift took a looooong time to reach the top and I was absolutely freezing. The transition from ground to peak went from 65 to about 40 degrees. Thankfully, there was a gift shop at the top filled with overpriced warm items for idiots just like me. I bought the sweater, and enjoyed the view as well as the long ride down. Over time, my favorite sweater has gotten pretty rough.
After doing some tests on furniture cushions, I was amazed to see just how well my hair/beard trimmer was able to shave off the pilling that had formed on our couch. I’ll be honest…it was addicting like crack cocaine. I just couldn’t stop shaving the furniture. Blind with furniture-shaving passion, I repeatedly gave in to my deepest carnal desires…whatever. I just shaved some furniture for a while. Then I got an idea…the sweater! I bet I could shave that too. So I did.
It worked! I quickly figured out that the use of a lint roller was crucial. You’ll need to clean up the stuff you’ve shaved off or it will just get in the way and hinder progress. It’s tedious, but I think it’s worth it.
Before:
After:
I’d post some before and after photos of the couch, but I’m not sure I’d be able to contain myself.
I hope this doesn’t make me a mommy-blogger.
teehee..
I totally own a sweater shaver, dude. It is fascinating to watch all those stupid little pills strip away. I understand the fascination; you are not alone.
[btw, you'd only be a mommy blogger if you'd been shaving the sweater while it was on your kids or perhaps the kids themselves]
{reply}
I feel that same why when i get my hands on a pressure washer… I was sneaking out at night and pressure washing my neighbors driveways and sidewalks. I have sense completeed a 12 step program and move to a house with a gravel driveway.
{reply}
jenniferc says:
March 28th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@Jordan, please come to my house. pretty please
pretty please with sugar on top?
{reply}
You just might be featured on Martha Stewart! Funny post…great idea!
{reply}
I must admit, that’s pretty cool, mommy.
{reply}
thats a great idea! I am a cashmere junkie but b/c of all the pilling cashmere has a limited life time. I can get a shaver and use it on my dog and sweaters! BTW – glad u r back
{reply}
You are one of my favorite mommy bloggers!
{reply}
Welcome back, mommy!
{reply}
That is awesome.
{reply}
You can get even more off with a regular, disposable razor. My go to.
{reply}
Can’t stop laughing. This is so something I would do- then take on the house! Good work mama
{reply}
It IS the small pleasures and triumphs which make up The Days of Our Lives – thanks for the laugh!
{reply}
Not sure my husband will appreciate me using his trimmer to shave the furniture. Hmm – at least I won’t be using it to shave the cat.
Or will I?
{reply}
This post is wonderful. I was chuckling to myself, right down to your “I hope this doesn’t make me a mommy blogger” line. Glad to see you’re blogging again, and thanks for the fab pointer…can’t wait to shave my couches and sweaters!
{reply}
daddy-blogger! congrats on ingenuity
{reply}
Way to think outside the box!
{reply}
Yay! For youe “new” old sweater!
My husband has a beard trimmer as well. I may have to go rescue my favorite sweaters….thanks for the idea!
{reply}
thank you!!! for some reason, this struck me as totally hilarioius! i needed a good laugh.
But, seriously… yeah for you in buying back a few more years with your favorite sweater!
{reply}
Haaaaha I think pretty much all women know what pills are, and that you can find a sweater shaver at CVS for <$10. I like your creative approach though.
{reply}
You totally have to post this idea on Kristen Welch’s “Works for Me Wednesday” blog carnival!!
{reply}
this is fantastic! I’ll have to try it at home.
{reply}
OMGosh…..I am going to try this. I love your blog and am SO glad you are blogging again. you are an inspiration to us normal Christian folks who try to do right AND live a normal/crazy life. Love your beautiful family!!!
{reply}
You are brilliant! I am totally going to try this with my hubby’s trimmer.
{reply}