Fabric Pilling: What It Is and How to Treat It?

Ever noticed those tiny, annoying balls of fuzz clinging to your favourite sweater or sofa? That, my friends, is fabric pilling, a common textile woe that can make even the most beloved items look worn and tired. But don’t despair! Understanding what causes pilling and how to deal with it can help you keep your fabrics looking their best for longer.

What Is Fabric Pilling?

Fabric pilling occurs when short or broken fibres on the surface of a fabric tangle together into small, fuzzy balls, often called pills or lint balls. These pills are usually the same colour as the fabric, and they tend to accumulate in areas of high friction, such as under the arms of a shirt, on the seat of trousers, or where your bag rubs against your clothes. While they don’t affect the fabric’s performance, they certainly don’t look pretty.

Does Pilling Mean Bad Quality?

Not necessarily! While poor-quality fabrics with short, loosely twisted fibres are more prone to pilling, it doesn’t automatically mean your item is of bad quality. Even high-quality garments can pill under certain conditions, especially if they’re made from a blend of fibres. For example, a blend of strong and weak fibres can lead to the stronger fibres holding onto the weaker ones as they break, resulting in pills. So, don’t throw out that expensive cashmere sweater just yet – pilling is a normal part of fabric wear and tear. In fact, friction translates to a higher possibility of pilling, which is why you may see pilling on your sofas too. Hosting a family gathering soon and noticed your sofa looking worn? Give your couch a refresh with our sofa and upholstery cleaning services.

Which Fabrics Are More Likely to Pill?

Some fabrics are more susceptible to pilling than others due to their fibre composition and weave. Generally, fabrics made from staple fibres (shorter fibres spun into yarn) are more prone to pilling than those made from filament fibres (long, continuous fibres like silk). 

Here are some common culprits:

• Wool blends: That loosely spun wool sweater you love is unfortunately prone to pilling. So are wool items blended with synthetic fibres.
• Synthetics blends: A mixture of smooth surfaces and short fibres cause synthetic fibres to develop pilling — especially if they contain nylon, acrylic or polyester fibres. 
• Cotton blends: While less prone than wool or synthetics, some cotton blends or loosely woven cotton can still pill.
• Fleece: This outerwear and activewear superstar can develop pilling after frequent washing, or repeated use, due to friction. Speaking of friction, let’s take a look at the connection between abrasion and pilling.

Causes of Fabric Pilling

Pilling is primarily caused by abrasion or friction. Here’s a closer look at the main culprits:

• Wear and Tear: Simple friction from daily wear, such as rubbing against furniture, seatbelts, or even other parts of your clothing, can cause fibres to break and tangle.
• Washing Machine Agitation: The tumbling action and rubbing against other garments in a washing machine can contribute to pilling.
• Drying Methods: High heat in a dryer can sometimes make fibres more brittle, increasing the likelihood of pilling.
• Fibre Type and Blend: As mentioned, certain fibre types and blends are inherently more prone to pilling due to their texture, length, and how they interact.
• Loose Weaves: Loosely woven fabrics have more room for individual fibres to move and break, making them more susceptible to pilling.
• Overloaded Wash Cycles: A heavy load is fine, but overloaded wash cycles where clothes don’t have space to move around will only cause more friction, increasing the likelihood of pilling.

How Do You Remove Fabric Pilling?

Is pilling fixable? Thankfully, pilling on clothes can be managed without much effort on your part. Here are several effective methods:

Fabric Shavers

These handheld devices are designed specifically to safely trim off pills without damaging the fabric. They are highly effective and a worthwhile investment if you frequently encounter pilling.

Lint Rollers

Pet lovers, you may already have the solution sitting in your home. A lint roller is the perfect tool for dealing with minor pilling.

Scissors or Razors

For individual, larger pills, you can carefully snip them off with small scissors. For a more widespread but cautious approach, a disposable razor can be gently glided over the fabric surface, but this method requires extreme care to prevent slicing into the fabric.

Sticky Tape

Like lint rollers, sticky tape is better for surface lint. Use them to pick up loose, early-stage pills.

How Do You Prevent Pilling on Clothes?

At Big Mama, we know our fabric care inside and out. Here are some anti-pilling tricks we’ve picked up from over a decade in professional laundry services:

• Turn Garments Inside Out: When washing and drying, turn your clothes inside out to reduce friction on the outer surface.
• Wash Delicates Separately: Put items prone to pilling in a mesh laundry bag. Avoid washing jeans with your delicates, as heavy-duty items and delicates don’t mix well. 
• Use a Gentle Wash Cycle: Opt for a delicate or hand wash cycle with cold water to minimise agitation.
• Use Less Detergent: Too much detergent can leave a residue that attracts loose fibres, contributing to clothes pilling.
• Air Dry or Tumble Dry Low: High heat can damage fibres, making them more prone to pilling. Air drying is best, or if using a dryer, choose a low heat or no-heat setting.
• Choose Tightly Woven Fabrics: When buying new clothes, opt for items with a tighter weave, as they tend to be more resistant to pilling.
• Brush or Comb Regularly: For items like wool sweaters, a soft brush or a sweater comb can help remove loose fibres before they form pills.

Our Take On Fabric Pilling

Fabric pilling might be annoying, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of your favourite garments. By understanding what causes it and how to remove and prevent it from happening, you can keep your clothes looking fresh and new for much longer.