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HOW TO PREVENT & REMOVE FABRIC PILLING
After a few wears, you may have noticed that some of your clothes have developed little bits of fuzz on the fabric surface. These lint balls are called pills, and while they may be inevitable on certain fabrics, there are a few ways you can try to remove pilling from some clothes and help stop it from forming in the first place. Follow this guide to learn how to help prevent pilling and how to get rid of pilling on clothes.
WHAT IS PILLING ON CLOTHES?
Pills, also known as the tiny lint balls on your sweaters and bed sheets, are actually small knots of broken fibers. These can occur as a result of friction during everyday wear and tear and also specific laundering habits—such as use of harsh detergents, intense cycles and high temperatures—which can affect certain fabrics and fibers and cause pilling. Pilling is a common issue that can affect a variety of fabrics.
WHAT CAUSES PILLING ON CLOTHES?
Everyday wear, fabric rubbing against itself and agitation from washing and drying can all cause fabric pilling. You may find more pills in the underarms of shirts, the inseam of pants and the center of bed sheets since these spots see the most wear and tear.
Pilling occurs when broken clothing fibers on the surface become tangled and eventually clump together. They may also attract loose micro-threads during the wash cycle, which can speed up the clothes pilling process.
Fabric type also plays a role in clothes pilling.
Shorter fibers like cotton, wool, fleece, polyester and other synthetics are more prone to breakage, which results in pilling.
Longer fibers, such as linen and silk, hold together and break less easily.
Loose-knit clothes also tend to pill more than tightly woven fabrics since the fibers aren’t held together as strongly.
HOW TO HELP PREVENT PILLING ON CLOTHES
One way to slow down or help prevent pilling on clothes that are prone to it is to try and reduce the friction these types of pill-prone clothes and sheets encounter. Be sure to properly wash your items by checking the care label, sort clothes appropriately, use the right detergent and wash cycle and air dry if possible. Keep reading for more tips on clothes pilling prevention.
1. CHECK THE CARE LABEL
Always check the fabric care label for washing and drying tips. Following the manufacturer’s instructions for a specific fabric type is a good first step to help keep items in good shape and prevent pilling. The care label can help you choose the right water temperature, cycle and drying method for fabrics that are prone to pilling.
2. SORT CLOTHES BY TYPE AND TURN ITEMS INSIDE OUT
To cut down on abrasion, wash clothes with similar fabric types together. Washing heavy items like jeans with a light sweater, for example, can result in increased pilling.
It’s also a good idea to turn clothes inside out, as well as fasten zippers, buttons and hooks, which can help prevent excess rubbing from other items on the fabric surface. Turning your clothes inside out can help protect your clothes from agitation as they run through a cycle in your washer.
3. USE A DETERGENT WITH ENZYMES AND A GENTLE WASH CYCLE
Enzyme-based detergents—cellulase specifically—target the weakened fibers that lead to pilling—though if your fabric is already pilled, you may need another tactic. You also may want to add fabric softener to help keep fibers from getting rough and breaking.
Be sure to not overload your washer, as overloading can cause clothes to rub together. For extra caution, use a mesh laundry bag.
Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with slower spin speeds to reduce agitation. Hand washing is also a good option for items that are especially prone to pilling.
4. AIR DRY IF POSSIBLE
Line dry pill-prone items or lay them on a flat surface to dry instead of tossing them in the dryer. Pilling can form from the friction of items tumbling against each other in the dryer.
If you need to use a dryer, choose a dryer cycle with low heat for clothes that are apt to experience pilling. Avoid tumble dry and high heat, as high dryer heat may damage clothing fibers that are already loose and breaking. Select Maytag® dryers feature Auto Dry, which helps prevent overdrying by sensing when clothes have reached the right moisture content and stopping the cycle.
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HOW TO GET RID OF PILLING ON CLOTHES AND SHEETS
You can try to remove pills from clothes with the right tools. These methods help remove the visible lint balls from the surface of clothing. If you’re removing pills from a delicate fabric, be sure to test the removal method in a hidden area first.
Wool, fleece, flannel and other fabrics that are loosely woven are also prone to pilling. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to try to remove pilling from clothes.
The right tool depends on whether the pills are loose surface fuzz, attached lint balls or dense pilling on sturdier fabric. Follow the chart below to determine which tool may work best for removal.
| Tool | Ideal Use | How it Works | Caution Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lint Rollers/Sticky Tape | Loose pills of fabric | Press sticky side of the tape on the fabric and pull off to gently remove fuzz balls | Low: Little caution required |
| A pill-removing stone or comb | Delicate knitwear items made from cashmere or wool (check product labeling to be sure) | Gently rub the stone or comb across the surface of the fabric | Moderate: Test an inconspicuous area before using on the entire garment |
| Fabric Shavers | Suitable for many types of fabric (check product labeling to be sure) | Gently run the shaver over some fabrics in soft, circular movements | Moderate: Use caution to avoid applying too much pressure |
| Safety Razors | Suitable for some, but not all, types of fabric | Keeping the fabric taut, gently shave or trim off the pills | Moderate: Use extra caution to avoid cutting into the item of clothing |
1. REMOVE FUZZ WITH A LINT ROLLER OR TAPE
Lint rollers or standard sticky tape are quick options to pull looser pills off of fabric. Press the tape sticky side down on the item and gently pull off to remove fuzz balls.
2. GET RID OF PILLS WITH A PILL-REMOVING STONE OR COMB
Generally made of pumice, a pill-removing stone, or a wooden comb with metal teeth made for the same purpose, can pick up pills from fabric as you gently rub it along the surface of the item. Check the product labeling to be sure it will work with your fabric.
3. USE A FABRIC SHAVER TO REMOVE FABRIC PILLING
Fabric shavers or sweater shavers can also help remove fuzz from some clothes. Use caution with fabric shavers—applying too much pressure can shave away more of the fabric than you want. Check the product labeling to be sure it will work with your fabric.
It might be possible to shave away pills on some fabrics with a safety razor, but you also run the risk of cutting the fabric. Using a plain safety razor, (without moisture strips) pull the item tight over a flat surface and gently shave the fabric to remove pilling.
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CLOTHES PILLING FAQS
Learn answers to frequently asked questions about clothes pilling.
CAN HOT WATER MAKE CLOTHES MORE LIKELY TO PILL?
While hot water is not a direct cause of clothes pilling, it can make clothes more susceptible to pilling. Hot water can wear out clothing fibers more quickly than cold water, which can lead to the fibers becoming tangled, which can cause pilling.
DOES DRY CLEANING REMOVE PILLING?
Dry cleaning cannot remove pilling. However, it is a helpful option for delicate clothing that may require extra care when being laundered. Some dry cleaners may offer pilling removal or fabric repairs as an additional service upon request.
CAN PILLING BE PERMANENT?
It doesn’t always have to be. You can often remove pills from some clothes using a lint roller, pill-removing stone or comb, fabric shaver or safety razor. Pills that are not too stubborn can quickly be removed using a lint roller or sticky tape, while more complex pilling may require the use of a stone, fabric shaver or safety razor. Not every fabric is amenable to these techniques. Check product packaging and care labels to be sure, and try it in a hidden area first, to see how the fabric handles it.
WHAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO REMOVE PILLING?
In general, fabric shavers offer a quick solution to remove pilling from clothes. If the pills are not too stubborn, you can also try using a lint roller or a sticky piece of tape for a quick and easy option.
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