As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.
You cannot always stop fabric pilling permanently. Once fibers begin rubbing loose, new pills may form over time. However, you can remove existing pills and greatly slow them from coming back by reducing friction, washing gently, and avoiding high dryer heat.
Pilling is most common on sheets, blankets, comforters, mattress pads, and clothing made with short or loosely spun fibers. The small fuzzy balls are usually a wear issue, not dirt or mold.
What Causes Fabric to Pill?
Pills form when loose fibers work their way out of the fabric. Friction twists those fibers into small balls that stay attached to the surface.
Common causes include:
- Tossing and turning in bed
- Rough pajamas or body hair rubbing against sheets
- Washing bedding with towels or heavy clothes
- Overloading the washing machine
- Using a harsh wash cycle
- Drying bedding for too long
- Sleeping with pets
- Rubbing against a wall, bed frame, or rough mattress cover
Some fabrics are also more likely to pill than others. Blends containing polyester can develop stubborn pills because the strong synthetic fibers hold the fuzzy balls in place.
How to Remove Existing Pills
Removing the current pills is the first step. Washing alone usually will not take them off.
Use a Fabric Shaver
A fabric shaver is usually the easiest tool for sheets, blankets, comforters, and duvet covers.
Lay the item flat on a bed, table, or clean floor. Pull the fabric smooth without stretching it. Move the shaver gently across the surface.
Do not press down hard. Too much pressure may catch thin fabric or damage raised stitching.
Empty the shaver often so it continues cutting evenly.
Try a Sweater Comb
A sweater comb works well on sturdy woven blankets and some thick bedding. Use short, light strokes in one direction.
Avoid using a comb on delicate sheets, loose knits, lace, embroidery, or fabric with pulled threads.
Use a Razor Only With Care
A clean disposable razor can remove pills when no fabric shaver is available. Keep the fabric flat and use very light strokes.
This method carries a greater risk of cuts, snags, and thin spots. It is not a good choice for fitted sheets, delicate fabrics, electric blankets, or expensive bedding.
Pick Off Large Pills by Hand
Large pills can be trimmed with small scissors. Do not pull them off. Pulling may stretch the fibers and create a larger fuzzy area.
Work slowly and keep the scissors parallel to the fabric.
How to Keep Pilling From Coming Back
No method can guarantee that fabric will never pill again. The best approach is to reduce the friction that pulls fibers loose.
Wash Bedding Separately
Wash sheets and lightweight blankets away from rough items such as:
- Bath towels
- Jeans
- Hooded sweatshirts
- Clothes with zippers
- Hook-and-loop fasteners
- Heavy pet bedding
Towels are especially rough. Their looped texture can rub against smooth sheets throughout the wash cycle.
Close zippers and fasten covers before washing. Turn duvet covers and pillowcases inside out when the care label allows it.
Choose a Gentle Wash Cycle
Use a gentle or delicate cycle when suitable for the fabric. A shorter cycle with slower movement creates less rubbing than a heavy-duty setting.
Check the care label before changing the wash cycle or water temperature. Some bedding needs a specific setting because of its fill, construction, or finish.
Do Not Overload the Washer
Bedding needs room to move. A tightly packed washer forces fabric to rub against itself and may prevent proper rinsing.
Wash bulky blankets or comforters alone when needed. If the item cannot move freely in your machine, use a larger washer that matches the manufacturer’s guidance.
Use the Right Amount of Detergent
Extra detergent does not make bedding cleaner. Too much may leave residue behind, making fabric feel stiff or rough.
Follow the detergent directions for your washer type, load size, and water conditions. Use less when washing a small load.
Avoid pouring detergent directly onto dry bedding unless the product instructions say this is safe.
Skip Harsh Scrubbing
Do not scrub pilled fabric with a stiff brush. Scrubbing may remove a few pills, but it also loosens more fibers.
Treat stains by blotting or gently working in a suitable stain treatment. Always check the care label and test products on a hidden area first.
Reduce Dryer Friction
The dryer creates heat and repeated tumbling, which can increase wear.
When the care label allows:
- Use a low-heat or delicate setting.
- Remove the bedding as soon as it is dry.
- Avoid running an extra-long cycle.
- Air-dry part of the way when practical.
Do not use high heat unless the care label permits it. High heat can weaken some fibers, shrink fabric, or damage elastic.
Line drying may reduce tumbling, but rough clotheslines and strong wind can also create friction. Hang bedding smoothly and avoid dragging it across rough surfaces.
Keep Rough Surfaces Away From the Bed
Check whether the bedding rubs against:
- A textured wall
- An unfinished wood frame
- A rough headboard
- A damaged mattress cover
- A sharp zipper
- A metal bed part
Move the mattress slightly or cover rough contact points. Repeated rubbing in one small area can cause pilling even when the rest of the bedding stays smooth.
You cannot always stop fabric pilling permanently; learn whether pilling means poor quality and how fiber, yarn, weave, friction, washing, drying, age, fabric type, and maintenance affect those surface balls.
Manage Pet-Related Friction
Pet claws, rough paw pads, digging, and nesting can wear bedding quickly.
Keep pets’ nails maintained and place a washable pet blanket over their favorite sleeping area. Choose a tightly woven cover that can handle frequent washing.
Wash pet bedding separately from smooth sheets when possible.
Wear Smoother Sleep Clothes
Rough fabrics can rub against sheets all night. Clothing with zippers, hard seams, textured prints, or hook-and-loop closures may increase wear.
Smooth cotton or soft knit sleepwear is often gentler on sheets.
Does Fabric Softener Prevent Pilling?
Fabric softener may make some materials feel smoother, but it does not permanently stop pilling. It can also leave a coating that affects absorbency, especially on towels and moisture-handling fabrics.
Check the care label and product guidance before using liquid softener or dryer sheets. Some bedding manufacturers recommend avoiding them.
A gentle wash routine is more important than adding softener.
Can Vinegar Stop Pilling?
Vinegar does not repair broken fibers or permanently prevent pills. Some people add it to the rinse cycle to help with detergent residue, but it should not be mixed with chlorine bleach.
Check the washing machine instructions and bedding care label before adding vinegar. Repeated use may not be suitable for every machine, elastic part, or fabric finish.
Which Bedding Materials Pill the Least?
Any fabric can pill when exposed to enough friction. Still, some constructions tend to resist pilling better.
Long-Staple Cotton
“Staple” means the length of the cotton fiber. Longer fibers have fewer loose ends, so they may be less likely to work out of the fabric.
The product listing should clearly state the fiber type. Do not rely only on a high thread count.
Tightly Woven Percale
Percale is a simple one-thread-over, one-thread-under weave. It usually has a crisp feel and a smooth surface.
A well-made percale sheet may resist surface fuzz better than a loose or heavily brushed fabric.
Linen
Linen may develop a soft, lived-in texture and release lint when new. It does not usually form the same tight pills as many synthetic blends, though lower-quality or loosely woven linen can still become fuzzy.
Tightly Woven Synthetic Fabric
Not every synthetic sheet will pill badly. Dense, smooth fabric made with secure yarns can hold up well.
However, when polyester pills do form, they may be difficult to remove because the fibers are strong.
Fabrics More Likely to Pill
Pilling is often more noticeable on:
- Flannel
- Fleece
- Brushed microfiber
- Loose knits
- Low-quality cotton blends
- Fabrics made with short fibers
- Soft, fuzzy blankets
These materials are not automatically poor choices. They may still feel warm and comfortable. They simply need gentler care and may require occasional shaving.
What to Look for When Buying New Bedding
Thread count alone does not tell you whether sheets will pill. Thread count is the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric, but fiber quality and weave also matter.
Look for:
- A smooth, even surface
- A tight weave
- Long-staple fibers when clearly listed
- Care instructions you can follow at home
- Minimal loose fuzz before washing
- Fabric suited to how often you wash bedding
For a kid’s room, dorm bed, or pet-friendly home, easy washing may matter more than having the softest brushed finish.
For a guest room, sheets may face less nightly friction, so a wider range of materials can work well.
When Pilling Cannot Be Fully Fixed
Fabric may continue pilling when the yarns are weak, short, or loosely made. Removing the pills improves the surface, but it does not change the fabric underneath.
Replacement may be more practical when:
- The fabric has become very thin
- Pills return after every wash
- Large areas are rough and matted
- Threads are pulling out
- The sheet has holes or weak spots
- The blanket sheds heavily after repeated washing
Do not keep shaving one area until the fabric becomes thin. A fabric shaver removes material each time it is used.
A Simple Anti-Pilling Routine
For most bedding, use this routine:
- Remove current pills with a fabric shaver.
- Wash the item separately from towels and rough clothing.
- Use a gentle cycle when the care label allows.
- Avoid packing the washer too tightly.
- Dry on low heat or air-dry as directed.
- Remove the bedding promptly when dry.
- Reduce rubbing from pets, rough sleepwear, walls, and bed frames.
- Shave small new areas before they become heavily matted.
This routine cannot make weak fabric last forever, but it can slow pilling and keep bedding smoother for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you permanently remove pilling?
You can remove the pills that are already present, but you cannot guarantee they will never return. Continued friction may loosen more fibers. Gentle washing and low dryer heat can help slow the process.
Will washing remove fabric pills?
Washing usually does not remove attached pills. It may even create more pilling if the fabric is washed with towels, heavy clothing, or an overloaded load. A fabric shaver is usually more effective.
Can you use a fabric shaver on bed sheets?
Yes, but place the sheet on a flat surface and use light pressure. Avoid shaving over seams, elastic, embroidery, tears, or loose threads.
Why do my sheets pill near my feet?
The foot area receives frequent rubbing from heels, toenails, rough skin, socks, and movement during sleep. Keeping nails smooth and using gentle sleepwear may reduce this wear.
Does a higher thread count prevent pilling?
Not always. Fiber length, yarn quality, weave, and care habits matter more than a large thread-count number by itself.
Should pilled bedding be washed inside out?
Turning pillowcases, duvet covers, and some blankets inside out may reduce rubbing on the visible surface. Check the care label first, especially for filled, quilted, or layered items.
Does air-drying stop pilling?
Air-drying reduces dryer tumbling, so it may help. It cannot stop pilling caused by weak fibers or nightly friction. Hang bedding smoothly and keep it away from rough surfaces.
How often can you use a fabric shaver?
Use it only when needed. Every pass removes a small amount of fiber. Stop if the material looks thin, stretched, or damaged.
get lint off of polyester blanket. remove excessive lint from blankets. fix a blanket that sheds.
