What is fabric pilling and how to prevent it?

“Pills” are the name frequently given to small, firm balls of lint that form on the surface of fabrics like clothing, while “pilling” is the process that forms them. Thankfully, you can usually remove pills with a fabric comb or battery-operated pill/lint remover that cuts or scrapes them away. 

You can also learn how to prevent pilling on clothes, or at least reduce it, including how you wash and dry your fabrics. Read on to learn more about fabric pilling and prevention methods.

What causes fabric pilling on clothes?

These pesky fabric pills are the result of normal wear and tear—broken clothing fibers on the surface become tangled together. Over time, these threads clump together, forming the characteristic lint ball that is stuck to your clothing. During a wash cycle, they can attract loose micro-threads, speeding up the fabric pilling process.

Clothes pilling can also happen with everyday friction such as parts of your clothing rubbing together, a backpack or purse or even moving around on the couch.

How do you prevent pilling on clothes?

To prevent pilling, opt for sturdy fabrics that are tightly woven and made from durable materials. Clothes pilling is most common with looser, shorter fibers. Knitted fabrics tend to pill more than woven ones, and clothes made from wool, cotton, polyester, acrylic and other synthetics tend to develop pills more readily than silk, rayon, denim or linen.

We stress our clothes every time we wear them—therefore, some degree of pilling is always possible. However, there are some ways you can help slow down or prevent fabric pilling by reducing the friction or abrasion your clothes experience day-to-day. This could include avoiding wearing a backpack with your favorite top, reducing your layers to prevent fabrics from rubbing, or choosing a tightly woven fabric as your second clothing layer. These precautions won’t get rid of pilling altogether, but they can help slow down the process.

Can a washing machine cause pilling?

A washing machine doesn’t cause pilling on its own, but it can speed up or worsen it. However, you can reduce the amount of pilling caused by a washing machine by using smart tactics on laundry day. For starters, turn clothes inside out, fasten zippers, sort by type and use cold, gentle cycles.

Does hot water cause pilling?

Washing clothing in hot water doesn’t directly cause fabric to pill, but it can make clothing more susceptible to pilling. Hot water can wear out the fibers of clothing more quickly than washing with cold water. This can lead to the fabric fibers becoming tangled, creating those pesky little fabric pills on your laundry.

Can the dryer cause pilling?

Yes, pilling can form from the friction of fabric rubbing together during the tumble dry cycle. If you have a load of fabrics that are more likely to pill, you may want to lay them out flat to air dry rather than tossing them in the dryer.

Can dry cleaning help remove pilling?

Though dry cleaning is a great option for delicate garments that require a little extra care when being laundered, it does not help remove pilling. The dry cleaning method is not designed to remove pills or repair damaged fabric, though some businesses may offer it as an additional service upon request.

Can switching laundry detergents help in removing lint and pilling from clothes?

Your first line of defense to prevent pilling on clothes may come from laundry detergent. Some detergents use enzymes to help clean clothes, and one enzyme—cellulase—can help loosen and remove pills in the wash. Combined with a gentle, cold water cycle, switching to this type of detergent may help get rid of pilling.

What is the fastest way to remove pilling from clothes?

A fabric shaver is one the fastest ways to remove pilling from clothes. If the pills are not too stubborn, a lint roller or sticky tape can also be a quick and easy option.

How do you remove lint, pilling and fuzz from clothes manually?

You can remove pills, lint or fuzz from clothes by using a fabric comb or battery-operated pill/lint remover. Both of these methods help carefully cut or scrape away the fabric pills. This is also how to get fuzz and pills off sweaters which can show up on this loose fabric even after the most careful washing. When done correctly, you’ll end up with clothes that look as good as new.

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