Hey, Friends! Happy November! I can’t believe we’re about to be in full swing holiday mode! I have a Thanksgiving project as well as a couple Christmas projects coming your way soon!
Before all the holiday madness starts, I wanted to share a quick tip with you! You may remember that we have been slowly redoing our living room (See all of our living room projects here) and purchased a new sectional a year and a half ago. The original sectional pilled like crazy and the fabric slipped down on the cushions after only a couple months, so we exchanged our sectional for a different sectional.
The new one is much nicer and more comfortable, but it’s doing that blasted pilling thing again and it’s driving me bonkers! We’ve never had trouble with any of our furniture pilling until our sectional adventures. Not impressed. Getting our sectional exchanged took months and was a giant hassle. We really didn’t want to go down that road again, especially since, unlike last time, nothing else was wrong with the sectional.
I made it my mission to figure out how to remove the pilling and have finally found the key! Introducing a fabric shaver! I saw one at The Container Store, but it was tiny and expensive. Thankfully, Amazon had one for only $12.99, so I decided to give it a try. Here’s the exact one I bought*: Conair Battery Operated Fabric Defuzzer – Shaver
Mary K.- The Boondocks Blog says
Well that is a very useful product. I also hate when the furniture pills like that. Can it also be used on clothing?
Keen koala says
Awesome. I just purchased some new-to-me dining chairs that are fabulous in every way, except for a bit of pilling around the edges. I am definitely going to get one of those fabric shavers and give it a try! Thank you!
Melissa a. says
I am so happy I came across your blog!! I have been scouring the Internet and Pinterest trying to find a solution for my pilling sofa and love seat from pottery barn. My couches are only 2 years old and already pilling so badly (so annoying, right?!) I can’t wait to get this product and try it out! Thank you! 🙂
littlebitsofhome.com says
Oh man, your Pottery Barn couch did it, too?! I’ve had it in my mind that next couch I’d save up for the PB one, now I’m doubting if that’s a good idea! What fabric do you have? Hope you love the shaver!
Pooja says
Mine is pottery barn couch and we bought it 5 months ago. Its doing the same thing. Very annoying
broxton8 says
And I have a new West elm couch doing the same thing!!
littlebitsofhome.com says
SO not ok! I’m so sorry!
Jocelyn says
I’m on my third couch from pottery barn due to piling! They keep sending me new ones saying it must be a defective roll of fabric. Again, the couch is piling after 3 months! Never again will I buy pottery barn!
charlette Soderberg says
I bought two pottery barn sectionals and both pilled in first month with upgraded fabric. Dont buy pottery barn furniture
littlebitsofhome.com says
Ugh, that’s the worst! I’m so sorry!
Sara Hill says
Pottery Barn–me too, and this is the second one we got because the first pilled so bad. They are not easy for me to work with either.
Michele says
Oh my. Im having the exact same issue with my couch from pottery barn as well
littlebitsofhome.com says
Noooo! You’d think Pottery Barn would do better! So sorry! 🙁
Peggy rothman-freeman says
The Ikea ektorp slip covered couches are just as good as Pottery barn’s couches. And the textiles there (at ikea) …. AWESOME! I love pottery barn and restoration hardware, but you have to compare.
littlebitsofhome.com says
So good to know! Back when we purchased our sectional, we tested a sectional at IKEA that was the shape we needed, but it wasn’t comfy. I’m super curious to go back and test the Ektorp! Thanks!
Suzie says
Your story is mine almost word for word except ours were two twin sofa’s. I bought that same shaver before the old sofa’s were exchanged. After shaving it some 20 times (weekly) my sofa was still balling and thread bare in some areas. With the initial sofas we had upgraded fabric and had to wait months to get them. With the replacements I learned that there are various qualities of fabric for best wear & tear. So this time I chose fr one of the 5 limited colours. I now have the small problem occurring, not anywhere as bad and one of the main cushions that is sat in the most is collapsing. The shaver is helping but I’m thinking it might be dull already. I’m very annoyed. In all of my 66 years and those of all of my family and friends I’ve never seen this problem before.
Alan says
We purchased a sectional @ 8 months ago, and are not happy with what the furniture store called pilling. According to the stores customer service rep. Pilling is not covered under warranty. How were you able to get your couch replaced, as I am not comfortable doing the shaver repair?
littlebitsofhome.com says
Ugh, I’m so sorry you are having trouble with your couch! Our original couch was a slightly different model and was pilling after only owning it a couple months. In addition, the piping on the edges of the cushions was sagging horribly. It was a bit of an ordeal, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We complained and literally brought in a couch cushion to show them the problem. They sent out a service tech to take a look. They were originally going to give us another identical couch, but after weeks of waiting for the replacement to come in, it was lost in shipping (!!!) so they let us pick something else, thankfully! Hope this helps and you get a replacement couch!
JoAnn says
I am having trouble with pilling also…on two lounging chairs. They were costly also….$1300 each. Does it ever stop or will this be a continual problem?
littlebitsofhome.com says
I’m so sorry you are having trouble, too! Unfortunately, it does seem to be a continuous problem, at least with our couch. I have to shave my couch a few times a year to keep it smooth. 🙁 Wish I had better news! I wish they made furniture in higher quality fabrics!
Anne says
I am having the Same problem. I am told the fabric we bought is 100% polyester and polyester pills feel like we should of been told that….. I was offered a $200 credit and told to de-pill my 3000$ slip covers. will we destroy the fibers with repeated de-pilling If done often? They look like ten year old sofas and they are not a year old
littlebitsofhome.com says
Ugh, I’m so sorry! I will never understand why furniture companies can’t make a better quality product! 🙁 I have used the shaver on my couch numerous times now and have seen no negative impact. The shaver has a guard so as long as you go lightly, it’s only shaving the pills since they stick up and not the top layer of fabric fibers since they are too low. Hope that helps!
Laurie says
I just purchased a 1700 lazyboy loveseat that started pilling after 2 weeks! the store sent out 2 different repair reps,first one said it was not pillow wasn’t really balls looked like fraying . They said they can’t do anything didn’t offer anything except I have to call lazyboy well lazyboy doesn’t want to fix either so the store sent another guy out he said it’s pulling and most fabrics do it except micro suede and a few others and should stop after a couple times well I don’t know about you ladies but I didnt buy a couch that I have to do anything else but vacuum when needed. i don’t think I should sit there and shave my couch ! Ive only had for 2 weeks when it started! If the sales person would of said this fabric pills try this it’s stronger I definitely would of got the stronger material and I told the girl I needed something that wears like iron , who doesn’t? So now I’m suppose to shave it whenever well no way! I am going back to the store where I purchased and talking to the manager not the sales person! I want a new different couch and I am not paying a restock fee . They did not inform me they misled me . They are a million if not billion dollar company ! Im not giving up or giving in! Why should we have to shave our couches !!! That is insane !!!! My mom has a fabric lazyboy that’s over 45 years old ! It looks brand new ! They make everything cheap but charge a fortune ! Wish me luck ladies and I’d like to know If anyone else is going to complain or just shave ??? Oh I got my furniture at Artvan in Michigan ,
Desiree says
Were you able to get it replaced?
Linda says
You are right it is the type of fabric. And I bought two nic eaofs and the oiling make them look old. Shaver didn’t work
littlebitsofhome.com says
That’s so frustrating! I’m sorry!!
Jessica says
I am having the same issue. I bought a Smith brothers couch for $2000 and within 3 weeks one of the cushions was pilling all over. I called to furniture store and she asked what I was wearing. Do I wear jeans or Sweats, am I mostly on that cushion. they had some come out to shave it and he said he could not take care of it all so he called his store and told gen that. They finally sent the couch back to the manufacturer. It was gone for 1.5 months and went infront if a fabric review board who said the pulling was due to an outside source. Pissibly a blanket or clothing. What a joke. Are u supposed to sit on a couch naked?!?! I have had the Couch back two weeks now and it’s starting to pill again
kathy says
West elm linen weave fabric also pills, did it rather rapidly, at 2 years looks just a mess.
Will not recover with this fabric again. Also the cushions starting to show indents at 1.5 years.
Richard says
Our $3000 sofa started to pil right away. Called the store as we bought an extended warranty, what a waste. Was told it was not covered to use a cheap razor like a bic and shave off the pils. I tried this and it did start to work but one wrong move and that razor is going to slice the fabric. I’m going to get one of the machines and see how they work.
SueBee says
Ugh…Bought a really expensive sofa at Ethan Allen and a $1000 custom slip cover in the same fabric to protect our investment and….pilling!!! So annoyed! I got an Oreck fabric shaver as the ‘web’ reviews said it was the best one out there and it’s not doing anything. Tried a razor…that work a little better but not much. So that really sucks…
sherry white says
I have a pottery barn performance tweed slip cover couch and it pills also! I tried a small electric shaver and it will take forever to see results. I want an industrial size and strength fabric shaver. Any suggestions?
Wesley Turner says
I work in the furniture industry and the best thing to do is educate yourself on what cause pilling. Here’s some basic information… Big companies such as some mentioned in previous comments don’t have educated employees so their natural response is to send a tech or replace which leads you as a consumer to think the product is defected when it isn’t. The only work around is knowing which fabrics pill the worst. Cotton and cotton/poly blends can pill easily. Many Slip cover sofas are made from cotton or cotton polly blends because they are light fabrics and hang well on the sofa. these types can also be washed which is one of the draws to a slip cover…
Pilling is known as loose strands or balls of fiber that form on the face of a piece of fabric. It is caused by abrasion on the surface of the fabric, and can be considered an unsightly occurrence on furniture. Although, it is important to note that pilling is not a fabric defect or fault.
Pilled upholstery fabric
What causes pilling?
Loose fibers have a natural tendency to move to the surface of a piece of fabric, where they are subject to friction, which causes them to twist together into small balls. Fibers that are still secured to the fabric are also twisted into the ball, so that the pill is secured to the surface of the material.
Friction is caused in the normal course of people using the furniture, rubbing against the surface of the fabric. Laundering also causes friction – washing machines agitate fabric, causing the surfaces to rub together.
Pilling is more noticeable on man-made fibers. This is mainly because natural fabrics shed loose fibers easily and less noticeably, while man-made fibers are notoriously strong, so the pills are anchored strongly to the fabric.
Pilled and depilled upholstery fabric
Is pilling a defect?
It is important to note that pilling is not a fabric defect or fault, and is not covered under warranty. It can be compared to the shedding experienced when purchasing a new sweater or new carpet – think about the way newly installed carpet or a new sweater behaves, as there are constantly new loose fibers coming to the surface over the first few months of use. This is completely normal and will reduce once the excess fibers are gone.
Consumers are sometimes concerned that pilling means that the fabric is wearing away and disintegrating – this is not the case. Pilling is a normal occurrence caused by wear and tear, and does not affect the durability or functionality of the fabric. It is easily removable.
How do I remove pilling?
The quickest and most cost effective approach is to use a battery operated pill shaver to remedy the situation. These small, cheap appliances are available in most sewing stores, or the sewing area of large department stores. A pumice stone pill remover or pill comb are also effective, and both perform the same task manually.
Pill shaver
If pilling reoccurs, it can simply be shaved off again. This may occur several times, but the pilling will diminish and eventually cease once the excess fibers are removed.
Can I buy fabric that doesn’t pill?
Since all fabrics will pill to some extent, the possibility of it happening should not be a main concern when choosing an upholstery fabric.
However, there are fabrics that are less likely to pill. Smooth, tightly woven fabrics and fabrics made from tightly twisted yarns are less likely to pill, because the fibres are held tightly in the cloth.
When a fabric is made from more than one fibre type, where one fibre is strong and one is weak (for example, polycotton) pilling will be more noticeable, because the weaker fibre wears and breaks, while the stronger fibre holds the pills to the cloth.
Ultimately, if you notice that your furniture is developing pills, don’t be alarmed. It is easily remedied and does not mean your furniture is made of poor quality fabric.
Desiree says
Thank you! This is very helpful.
Keeli says
I purchased a sectional from basset, I was told that sunbrella indoor fabric was indestructible! I had the couch and 2 chairs made with this fabric and after the 2 weeks this furniture looks 10 years old! The 2 chairs have never been sat in! The pilling is horrible! They sent someone out said yes it is pilling and made all new seat covers. So now if I put them on it makes the back cushions and frame of the couch look even worse! So disappointed I payed a lot of money for this indestructible fabric, and I would have been better off if I had purchased a couch from Rooms to go! There suggestion was not vacuum the furniture,use a roller instead! Total it is 20 ft of couch and I have animals! How many hours should I spend doing this a day? Buyer beware!!!! This should be something that is made aware to the cunsumer before purchasing!!!!!
Kathi joseph says
This should really help me out. However, I still can’t figure out WHY the fabric is doing this.
Kathi joseph says
Actually just read all the posts and figured it out. thanks!
Haleigh says
Thank you for sharing! We have a PB slipcovered couch and this pilling drives me crazy!! I had been googling and youtubing ways to get the knotting off, and before I found this post, I was taking an actual razor and it was such a headache. can’t wait to try this.
Desiree says
Thank you so much. We just got our new sectional (light gray) and the extended seat where my hubby sits has a ton of pilling at the foot of it. Its not even 2 months and here I was ready to call the furniture store in the morning to complain. I tried a razor with the fear of ripping the material. Im so thankful to have found your blog. I will be going on Amazon in the morning to purchase. Thanks again #lifesaver
Jeanie says
Your blog saved me!!! Went and bought the conair device you mentioned…I cant believe the difference!
I cleaned over a cup of pilling and the side by side on one of the cushions looks like new!!
downside…device is getting tired and Im only through 4 sides of 12…
Couch is one year old and pilling like crazy…Macy’s!! Rrr!!!
littlebitsofhome.com says
Oh my word! That’s insane! I’m so sorry! I’m glad the fabric shaver worked! We were considering a Macy’s couch for my husband’s office, but I’m having second thoughts now… 😉