Pilling on Clothes – Prevent and Remove It
Short answer: Pilling happens when loose fibre ends rub together into small balls. You prevent it by washing inside out, using a laundry bag and avoiding the tumble dryer, and you remove it easily with a fabric shaver. Bamboo viscose generally pills less than wool and acrylic, because the fibres are long and smooth.
Why does pilling happen?
Pills form through friction: in the washing machine, under a backpack or where sleeves rub against the body. Short fibre ends work their way out of the yarn and roll up into small balls. The more friction a garment is exposed to, the faster they appear on the surface.
Why bamboo pills less
Smooth, long fibres like bamboo viscose leave fewer loose ends than short or heavily crimped fibres. That is why a bamboo T-shirt for men usually stays neater than an acrylic jumper. No material is completely free of pilling, but bamboo has a good starting point.
Where does pilling show up most?
Pilling usually appears where clothes work hardest. That is typically under the arms, on the inner thighs, around pockets and where a bag or a seatbelt rests. Once you know these spots, you can keep an eye on them and remove pills before there are too many.
Turn clothes inside out
Turn clothes inside out before washing. The outside then does not rub directly against the drum and the rest of the load, and the surface is protected. It is one of the easiest ways to prevent pilling and takes only a moment when you sort the laundry anyway.
Do not wash with hard materials
Do not wash bamboo with hard materials such as denim or items with hook and loop fasteners and zips. They act like sandpaper on the soft fabric. Use a laundry bag for delicate items, and do not fill the drum completely, so clothes are not pressed hard together.
Avoid the tumble dryer
The dryer both wears and rolls the fibres, and it is one of the most common causes of pilling. The heat makes fibres brittle, and the movement rolls the loose ends together. Hang clothes on a rack or hanger instead. Bamboo releases moisture quickly and dries fast on its own.
How to remove pills
An electric fabric shaver is the quickest tool. A sweater comb or a sharp disposable razor used carefully also works. Lay the garment flat on a table, stretch the fabric lightly and move the tool in short, calm strokes. Do not press hard, so you do not cut the fabric.
Hoodies and sweatpants
Thicker items such as a bamboo hoodie for men and bamboo sweatpants for women are often worn on the sofa and under jackets, where friction is high. Turn them inside out, wash them separately or with other soft clothes, and remove pills regularly.
A mild detergent helps too
A mild liquid detergent without bleach is gentle on the fibres. Bleach and strong enzymes can weaken the surface, so more fibre ends come loose. Also skip fabric softener, which leaves a film on the fabric and reduces the breathability of bamboo.
In short
Pilling comes from friction, and most of it can be prevented with simple habits: wash inside out, use a laundry bag, keep hard materials out of the same load and skip the dryer. If pills appear anyway, a fabric shaver removes them easily, and the garment looks neat again. See also complete washing guide for bamboo clothing and bamboo and economics.
Frequently asked questions
Does bamboo clothing pill?
Bamboo viscose generally pills less than wool and acrylic, because the fibres are long and smooth. With a lot of friction, though, any material can pill.
How do you remove pills from clothes?
Use an electric fabric shaver, a sweater comb or a sharp disposable razor. Lay the garment flat and work carefully with short strokes.
How do you prevent pilling in the wash?
Turn clothes inside out, use a laundry bag, and do not wash them with denim or items with hook and loop fasteners. Avoid the tumble dryer as well.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
