Pilling under the arms and on the sides
Short answer: Pilling appears where the fabric rubs most, which is under the arms and along the sides. A fabric shaver deals with it, and washing inside out helps prevent more from forming.
Where the friction is greatest
Under the arms, the sleeve rubs against the side of the shirt with every movement. Along the sides, your arms, a bag or a bag strap rub against the fabric. That is why pills always appear in the same places. Loose fibres are pulled up and twisted into small balls.
Fabric shaver
A fabric shaver trims the pills off without damaging the fabric. Lay the shirt flat on a table and move the shaver lightly over the area. Do not press hard, and avoid going over the same spot many times. The surface becomes smooth again and the fabric lasts.
Turn it inside out
When the shirt is washed inside out, the outside rubs less against the drum and the rest of the laundry. It is a small habit that makes a big difference over time. Choose a gentle programme and a full but not overfilled machine. See the washing guide for more.
Avoid hook and loop
Zips and hook and loop fasteners in the same machine tear at the fabric and pull fibres loose. That leads to more pilling, especially on soft and thin qualities. Close them before washing or wash those items separately. The same goes for towels, which shed a lot of fibres.
The quality
An evenly spun yarn with long fibres pills less than a yarn with many short fibres. You cannot always tell on a new shirt, but it shows after a few months of wear. Read more in why some fabrics pill more than others.
See the range
If you wear the same shirt many days in a row, it wears faster. With several to rotate, the friction is spread out and each shirt lasts longer. This matters most for the basics you wear every day. Browse the basics in bamboo T-shirts for men.
See also
Pilling is not only an issue under the arms. It can also appear on the thighs of trousers, the sleeves of a cardigan and on bedding. The cause is friction every time. More on the subject, and on removing it, in pilling on clothes.
How long it lasts
A new shirt pills most in the first months, because loose fibres work their way out of the fabric. After that it usually fades on its own. Remove the pills along the way so they do not collect more. See the soft styles in bamboo T-shirt for women.
Bags and straps
A bag strap resting in the same place every day wears hard on the fabric. Switch shoulders now and then, or carry the bag in your hand. A smooth strap rubs less than a rough one. These are small things, but they decide how quickly the pills return.
When it is wear
If pills keep coming back and the fabric gets thin in the same places, the shirt is wearing out. A fabric shaver then only helps briefly. You can still wear it at home or under a jumper where nobody sees it, but it no longer looks neat on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Why does pilling always appear in the same place?
Because that is where the fabric rubs most. Under the arms and along the sides, sleeves, arms and bag straps hit the same area with every movement all day.
Does a fabric shaver damage the fabric?
Not if it is used gently. Lay the shirt flat, move the shaver lightly over the area, and avoid going over the same spot many times in a row.
Can pilling be prevented?
Partly. Wash inside out, close zips and hook and loop fasteners, and rotate between several shirts. You cannot avoid it completely, because friction always causes some wear.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
