Dealing With Fabric Pills
We’ve all seen it in one place or another—those bothersome fabric pills that just don’t seem to go away. They can happen on any type of fabric; it doesn’t matter the quality. And they’re annoying, no matter the circumstance. At Windows, Walls & More serving West Bloomfield, we have a few tips for dealing with those little balls. Read on to learn more!
About Pilling
No matter the fabric, it’s made of fibers, and those fibers can occasionally come loose. When they do, the loose fibers move to the surface of the fabric, where friction makes them twist into small balls. The fibers that are still attached also twist with the balls, anchoring them to the main part of the fabric. This process can happen to all fabrics, but it’s most noticeable with human-made fabrics, because natural fabrics shed the loose fibers more easily. Also, human-made fabrics tend to be stronger, so the pilling anchor is also stronger.
Causes
Fabrics made of multiple types of fiber (such as a cotton-polyester blend) frequently succumb to pilling because the weaker fiber (in the example, the cotton) more easily breaks and the stronger fiber (poly) holds the pills to the fabric. Natural fabrics like silk or linen tend to have longer, more continuous fibers that don’t break. Pilling can be triggered by a variety of elements, including how much moisture is in the air and whether the fabric might rub against something frequently. Some items, like fleecy tracksuits or blankets, can even transfer pills to furniture fabric through abrasion.
You Can Easily Treat Pilling
Although it’s annoying, pilling isn’t the end of the world—or your fabric. Simple de-pill it! All you have to do is remove the loose surface fibers using either a battery-operated pill shaver or a pill comb, either of which are usually sold at regular a fabric or sewing store. And don’t worry: removing the pills will not impact the quality or performance of the fabric. In fact, even if pilling reoccurs after you’ve de-pilled the fabric, you’ll note lessened instances of pilling, which will eventually ultimately diminish because all of the extra, loose fibers will be gone. To try to cut back on instances of pilling altogether, try to avoid rubbing the fabric or touching Velcro to it. If you’ve noticed pilling on one of your fabric Hunter Douglas window fashions and are concerned about how to handle it, feel free to contact a Windows, Walls & More consultant, who will be more than happy to offer advice.
Resolving Fabric Pilling in West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, MI Areas
Windows, Walls & More was established in 1977 and has become the leader in window treatments and window treatment motorization, as well as wallpaper, interior design and more. With a beautiful Hunter Douglas Gallery showroom in West Bloomfield, Windows, Walls & More serves West Bloomfield and the surrounding areas, including Franklin, Livonia, Birmingham, Farmington Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Commerce Township, Northville and Novi. Stop by our Hunter Douglas Gallery to see our many functional window covering displays. For more information, or to schedule your free in-store consultation, give us a call today at 248-661-3840.
