What is pilling?
Pilling on upholstery happens when there is continuous friction being put on the surface of the fabric, thus resulting in small, balled-up pieces of fibres that become visible on the surface.
What causes pilling?
Pilling can occur due to various reasons. Two of the most common reasons are due to the weave of the fabric and the type of fibre. Tightly woven fabrics will be less likely to pill because the fibres cannot ‘float’ to the surface. The friction is caused by the normal course of people using furniture overtime, as they rub against the surface of the fabric. Pilling is more noticeable on man-made fibre than on natural fibres. There is a conception that man-made fibres are less likely to pill, however the opposite is true. Natural fibres such as cotton or linen shed their loose fibres easily, making pilling less noticeable. Man-made fibres such as polyester or nylon are stronger, resulting in the pills becoming more securely attached to the surface.
Is pilling a defect in the fabric?
It is important to know that pilling is not a defect of the fabric or piece of furniture you receive. Many view pilling as the ‘disintegration’ of their furniture, however that is not the case. Rather, it is a ‘natural’ occurrence cause by the wear-and-tear of the furniture. Pilling is not only a natural process, but it is also quite easy to remove.
How do I remove pilling?
There are many methods to removing pilling from your furniture. If you are not looking to spend money, and have a bulk pack of razors on hand, you can use a very sharp razor to remove your pilling issue. Simply take the razor, gently press it against the fabric and start moving it in upward motions. Once you have accumulated a pile of pilling, you can take a piece of tape, place it over the pilling and easily remove the pilling from the fabric. An alternative and the most effective method is the use of a fabric shaver. Fabric shavers are specifically designed to catch the pilling on fabric without ruining the fabric itself. They are designed with a quick moving blade, which is protected by the blade net. This method is hassle free, and will make your furniture look good as new.