Pilling on jersey, why it happens and what helps
Short answer: Pilling on jersey happens when loose fibres tangle together on the surface of the fabric, usually where clothes rub. You can remove the pills gently with a fabric shaver, a soft brush or scissors, and you can prevent them with careful washing. Mostly it comes down to reducing friction.
Why do pills and fuzz form
Pills are small balls of fibre that have tangled together on the fabric surface. They form where clothes rub against something, for example under the arms, along the sides and where a bag or belt wears the fabric. Jersey is soft and smooth, but that is exactly why short fibres can work loose and gather.
How to remove pills with a fabric shaver
Lay the top flat on a firm surface and run a fabric shaver or a fine clothes comb over the fabric with light strokes. Let the tool do the work, because if you press hard you can pull up more fibres than you remove. Ordinary scissors can also be used, but they need a steady hand.
Choose the tool to suit the fabric
For thin jersey, a soft brush or an electric fabric shaver works best, because the fabric gives way easily. If you own several bamboo T-shirts for men, you can go over them after washing, while the clothes are out anyway. Always test on a hidden spot first, for example by the side seam.
Wash the garment inside out
Turn T-shirts and tops inside out before they go in the machine, so the outer surface rubs less against the drum and other clothes. Choose a gentle programme and avoid overfilling the machine, because more space means less rubbing between garments. Always follow the care label, and do not use more detergent than you need.
Drying without needless wear
The tumble dryer wears on the fibres, and it often lets pills and lint gather in a dense clump. Hang the clothes on a hanger or a drying rack instead, and give them a light shake first. If you tumble dry anyway, choose a low setting and take the clothes out once they are dry.
Find out where it rubs
Look at where the pills sit, because that tells you what is causing the wear. Under the arms it may be a tight fit, while pills over the shoulder often come from a backpack or bag. If you switch the side you carry the bag on or choose a slightly looser size, you reduce friction, and the pills come back more slowly.
Pills on socks and underpants
Socks and underpants usually pill at the heel, toe and thigh, because they rub against shoes and trousers. Use the same gentle method and remove only the loose pills, not the whole surface. If a pair has worn thin, you can look at all bamboo socks for men and bamboo underpants for men as replacements.
When is a garment simply worn out
If you keep removing pills and the fabric turns thin or gets holes, the surface is no longer the only problem. The fibres have lost so much that more care will not make the piece look better. Use it around the house or for jobs in the garage, and find a new piece for the days when you want to look smart.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use scissors on the pills?
Yes, if you cut one pill at a time with a small, pointed pair of scissors and hold the fabric slightly taut. Never pull at a pill, because you can loosen the stitches in the fabric and make a hole.
Will the pills come back after I remove them?
They can come back as long as the garment rubs in the same places. If you go easy on it in the wash and the dryer and reduce friction in daily life, you usually get fewer pills, and they are easier to remove.
Is it harmful to the fabric to remove pills?
If you do it gently, you do not harm the fabric much. Only when you press hard or pull at the pills can you thin the fabric or make holes, so take your time and do a little at a time.
