Removing (and preventing) Pilling

Pilling occurs when excess fibers from your upholstery fabric tangle with lint, dust, or fibers from your clothing. This results in small balls forming on the surface of your sofa or dining chair fabric. Over time, these balls increase, giving your furniture a worn or damaged appearance. But there’s no need to panic. Pilling is a natural result of friction and almost always occurs when you use your seating furniture.

Do you have pilling and want to get rid of it without damaging your furniture? It’s a good idea to invest in a fabric shaver, also known as a lint remover. This anti-pilling device looks like an electric razor but is specially designed to remove pilling without damaging your furniture. It effectively loosens and collects the small balls so they don’t scatter around.

As mentioned above, pilling is caused by friction, which naturally happens when you sit down. You never sit completely still, and this movement causes friction, leading to pilling over time. Another major cause of pilling is pets. Pets have oily skin and fur, which negatively affects furniture. Their paws also damage the fabric, causing threads to come loose and making it easier for pilling balls to form.

You can reduce pilling by regularly maintaining your seating furniture. In practice, this means occasionally vacuuming your sofa to prevent the formation of pilling balls. We strongly recommend using a special upholstery attachment and not using too much suction power to avoid damaging your sofa. Tip: If you have pets, vacuum a bit more often.

Wait, what? Does humidity play a role in pilling formation? Yes, it does! Low humidity can cause static electricity, which makes furniture attract hair, dust, and fibers. This often happens in autumn and winter when people start using their heating again, lowering indoor humidity levels. To avoid this, place a hygrometer in the right spot and monitor whether you need to increase the humidity. We recommend keeping humidity levels between 50% and 60%. Did you know that humidity also affects the health of your wooden furniture? You can read more about it in our blog on humidity.

Good maintenance extends the lifespan of your furniture. Whether it's your oak dining table, your dining chairs, or your corner sofa, proper care ensures that all your furniture stays in top condition. At Table du Sud, we're happy to assist you with this. That's why it's good to know that we have the right maintenance products for all types of materials. After all, it would be a shame to have to part with your furniture after just a few years!