brandcareFabric pilling – those pesky little balls of fibre that seem to appear out of nowhere on our favorite clothes and textiles. We’ve all been there, wondering what causes them, how to prevent them, and how to remove them. But amidst all the advice and anecdotes, it’s easy to get caught up in myths and misconceptions about fabric pilling.
Do you think pilling only happens to cheap fabrics? Or that using a fabric softener will prevent pilling? Think again! In this clothing care guide, we’ll debunk eight common myths about fabric pilling, giving you the facts and tips you need to keep your fabrics looking and feeling their best for years to come.
Fabric pilling is a sign of bad quality
When I didn’t know any better, I too used to think that pilling is a sign of bad quality or cheap clothing. Then, on a random day, I came across one of my old cotton tees that I bought at a sale at a really low price, and while there were some pills on it, it was still in pretty good condition. On the other hand, my most expensive purchase till now, a really cute sweater that I just bought last winter was feeling all “mossy” and “shabby” due to excessive lint and pilling.
So, does that mean that the sweater that made me almost go broke was made of low-quality fabric? Absolutely not! Pills are a natural fabric fault which is bound to appear after some wears and washes mostly due to the friction faced by our clothing by rubbing against our skin and other items. However, the type and composition of a fabric can have a significant effect on how much it will pill.
For example, my sweater was loosely knitted, leaving more room between the yarns, meaning lots of movement and friction between the individual fibres leading to more pilling building up. Meaning it started to look all “shabby” and “worn-out” after only a few washes.
There’s nothing you can do to prevent pilling in clothes
It’s true that pilling is a natural and unavoidable process, but you can still do plenty to avoid it. Start with doing less laundry and less ‘’aggressive laundry’”, meaning only washing something if it really needs it use a gentle detergent, ditch hot water washing and avoid cramming the laundry machine until its bursting. Also, every once in a while, make a habit of air drying your clothing instead of tossing them in a machine drier. Just by following these simple laundry care tips, you can keep fabric pills away from your wardrobe for longer.
Using fabric softener will prevent pilling
Fabric softeners work by coating your clothing with an invisible layer of chemicals that makes it feel all soft and cosy. This coating can attract lint and debris, causing them to cling to the fabric and form “fabric pills” or “bobbles”. Other than this, a fabric softener can also reduce the elasticity of fibres over time, making them more and more prone to pilling.
Pilling cannot be removed with a laundry detergent
You can definitely use dedicated laundry powders such as BIORESTORE cotton to remove pilling and lint from your cotton clothing. If you are someone who is tired of using traditional solutions like razors, scissors, and fabric shavers, consider a cotton pill remover that works within the washing machine.
Not only is BIORESTORE cotton effective, but it is extremely sustainable and safe for your wardrobe. You can revive your cotton faves in only one home laundry wash, without any extra hassle. Plus, BIORESTORE keeps your textiles pill-free for much longer. So, you don’t have to depill your clothing again and again.
Pilling only happens on synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon
All fabrics pill! While synthetics such as polyester and nylon are notorious for pilling, it doesn’t mean that it’s exclusive to them. Fabric pills can appear on a wide range of fabrics including natural ones like cotton, linen, and even silk.
Pilling is irreversible and there’s nothing you can do to remove it
It can be challenging to completely remove pilling from your clothing, but it’s not “irreversible”. Some of the commonly used methods to get rid of pilling are fabric shavers, lint rollers, clothing brushes, BIORESTORE cotton pill remover, and razors.
Depending on the fabric type, and intensity of pilling, pick the best fabric pill remover for your needs. Keep in mind that if you don’t treat pilling on time, it can eventually reach a stage where removing it without damaging the fabric can become impossible.
Vinegar can help prevent / remove pilling
Distilled vinegar is a versatile and functional addition to everyday laundry. It reduces static cling, preventing excessive pilling from clinging onto clothing and making it a great option for avoiding pilling transfer within the washing machine.
However, if your fabrics are already pilled, adding vinegar won’t address the problem. This means that you can use vinegar as a preventative measure, but it is not a clothing pill remover. Don’t trust me? Try it and see for yourself!
Dry-cleaning can prevent pilling
More laundry leads to more pilling, but dry-cleaning is not a solution for this (sorry to burst your bubble)! Frequent dry-cleaning can actually contribute to excessive pilling due to a multitude of reasons.
Firstly, the chemicals used in dry-cleaning can put additional stress on textile fibres. Secondly, during the dry-cleaning process, the textile fibres rub against each other, generating higher friction and finally, dry-cleaning can remove the natural moisture of the fabric, causing the fibres to become more brittle. All of these factors lead to additional pilling and bobbling.
If the care label on your clothing mentions “dry-clean only”, look for professionals with gentle cleaning methods or anti-pilling treatments. This can help in taking care of the fabric as well as keeping those pesky balls of fibre away from your wardrobe.
Remember, prevention is better than cure! Always make sure to check the care label attached to your clothing and follow the fabric care instructions mentioned on it. Also, choose gentle washing methods such as hand washing and use dedicated clothing pill removers such as BIORESTORE cotton to keep your clothing looking and feeling it’s best for longer.
