What is your trick to get rid of pilling on uniform Velcro?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 13:51:08 -0400

I tend to cut my loses and buy new uniforms after the polling gets bad, even if the uniform is relatively new. I just use them as field uniforms or motor pool Monday uniforms mostly. I’ve tried cutting the pilling off but I can get only so close. I’ve shaved the pilling but to make it look nice and fresh it won’t hold patches. If I want it to hold patches it seems I can’t shave it to look too terribly nice. Is there anything y’all do that can help mitigate/fix this pilling issue?

Response by Cpl Andrew Tucker made Sep 3 at 2019 2:01 PM

Cpl Andrew Tucker — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:01:57 -0400

Write the GAO and have them tell the DoD to get rid of all Velcro on the utilities. Velcro is about as tactical as glow belts.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2019 2:02 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:02:06 -0400

I burn the pilling down. Have to be careful not to melt it to itself or patches wont stick. Or you could cut off the velcro and get new velcro sewn on.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Sep 3 at 2019 2:10 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:10:12 -0400

Most sewing shops will replace the Velcro.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2019 2:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:13:51 -0400

I can’t recommend a solution for removing pilling once it has occurred. However, to prevent pilling, I advise my Soldier’s to leave all patches on, pull sleeves inside out, turn blouses inside out, and then zip them up for laundering. Only after coming out of the dryer should the blouse be returned to its correct state.

My Velcro has always held up exceptionally well by doing this, both on my old UCPs and my new OCPs. And, as an added bonus, your patches won’t tear off as easily!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2019 2:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:50:47 -0400

I sometimes use a lighter to minimize the “fluff” of the Velcro. And I agree with SGT Ingram, wash your uniforms inside-out.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2019 4:22 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 16:22:00 -0400

I have success using a fine brush like a dog grooming brush to comb out the velcro

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2019 4:55 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 16:55:30 -0400

I have one uniform I have Velcro still on. I turn it inside out and remove all patches and I don’t wash it with anything else. I also hang it up to dry. Mine has been through the washer a few cycles with no issues this way.

My other 3 sets of uniforms I just did the uniform builder and had them sew everything on. Once I need to change the rank on the front I can just cut the thread lose and sew the new rank on myself.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Sep 3 at 2019 7:33 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 19:33:49 -0400

That’s funny. Of course when I served we didn’t have Velcro. However is about the least tactical thing the Army could have done. I was a Senior Instructor in the I Corps NCO Academy. I taught PLDC. We spent two weeks on Ross Hill teaching small unit leadership, land navigation and patrolling. We had a base camp that we lived out of. Part of the training was to defend the base camp 24x7. To make a long story short, I’d take a squad of aggressors and outside the wire I made them draw a diagram of the perimeter. All you had to do was sit a while and wait for the people on duty to rip the Velcro off their watches to tell the time. Seriously. Every position could me marked on a map simply by listening. By the end of the course not one single soldier was wearing a Velcro watch.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Sep 3 at 2019 9:48 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 21:48:07 -0400

G.I. Issue Sewing Kit: $10.99

Supply of velcro for uniforms: $5.99

Not hard to do and not rocket science.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 3 at 2019 10:14 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 22:14:38 -0400

I hung dry my uniforms. You can replace the velcro if the uniform is good

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2019 6:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 06:52:39 -0400

Get them sewn on.

Response by SPC John Waisman made Sep 5 at 2019 1:02 PM

SPC John Waisman — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:02:47 -0400

I actually figured that out; it's using your fingers, not some tool. Honest. Try it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2019 4:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:19:52 -0400

I take mine to alterations ftobget a new Velcro sewn on

Response by SSG Charles La Porte (RET) made Sep 8 at 2019 1:59 PM

SSG Charles La Porte (RET) — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 13:59:22 -0400

I just bought enough patches & name/US Army tapes for all my uniforms.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 11:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 23:10:55 -0500

Air dry only. My OCPs never go in a dryer and I usually retire them with the Velcro still looking fresh, the material fades and tears first.