If you've ever noticed tiny balls of fibre appearing on your bedsheets, you've seen pilling.
It can make otherwise comfortable bedding feel rough and less attractive.
What causes pilling?
Pilling happens when fibres on the surface of a fabric become loose and tangle together through friction.
Your body moving against the sheet while sleeping, repeated washing and contact with other fabrics can all contribute.
Fabric matters
Different fabrics and constructions have different tendencies to pill.
The quality and length of the fibres can also affect how a fabric behaves over time.
Avoid excessive friction
Washing your sheets with rough or abrasive items can increase friction.
Whenever possible, wash bedding with similar soft fabrics.
Don't overload your washing machine
An overloaded machine gives fabrics less room to move and can increase friction during washing.
Follow the recommended wash cycle
Using the correct washing settings for your bedsheet can help reduce unnecessary wear.
What if your sheet already has pills?
Small amounts of pilling don't necessarily mean the sheet is unusable.
A fabric-safe lint remover or fabric shaver can sometimes help remove surface pills, but use it carefully and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The bigger picture
Some amount of wear is normal with bedding because bedsheets are used and washed frequently.
The goal isn't to eliminate every sign of use.
It's to reduce unnecessary friction and care for the fabric properly.
