08/06/2026
Why Your Favorite Jumper Is Pilling?
Pilling happens when the short or broken fibers in a fabric get tangled together, almost always because of friction. It’s not necessarily a sign of poor quality, but a direct result of the fabric’s natural structure and how it’s handled.
Factors that affect piling
Whether or not a garment is destined to pill comes down to a few key things:
• Fibers Length: Fabrics made from long, smooth fibers (like high-quality Pima cotton or merino wool) are far less likely to pill. Shorter fibers have more little ends that can easily work their way to the surface and get tangled.
• Weave Tightness: A tight, dense weave is your best friend. It holds fibers securely in place, giving them less room to move around and form pills. In contrast, the looser knits found in many of our cosiest jumpers practically invite fibers to rub against each other.
• Fabric Blends: Synthetic fibers like polyester and acrylic are notoriously strong. So, when they do pill, the little fuzzballs don’t break off. They cling stubbornly to the surface, making them much more noticeable.
How can you prevent piling?
• Detergent choice: Go for a mild, pH-neutral liquid detergent like a high quality wool wash. Powdered versions can be more abrasive and sometimes don’t fully dissolve in cold water, leaving behind a residue that only increases friction.
• Fabric Softeners: It’s best to skip the fabric softener on these garments. While they promise softness, they work by coating fibers with a waxy film. That coating can actually encourage loose fibers to clump together and form pills.
• Water Temperature: Unless you’re dealing with serious stains, stick to cold water. Hot water can weaken and damage fibers over time, making them far more likely to break and pill.
• Turn the garment inside out to prevent the right side of the garment rubbing against other clothes and the drum of the machine. For very fine knits such as cashmere, wash in a net bag
• Air dry instead of tumble drying will help reduce surface abrasion
