Pilling, where the fibers clump together like little balls, is a problem that can occur with any type of fabric. These clumps are formed when the fibers of the fabric loosen, tangle, and then form small balls at the ends of the surface of the material. The main cause of this problem is friction that often arises from use or washing. There are several things you can do to prevent the fibers from clumping together. However, if almost all of your clothes are experiencing the same problem, just focus on materials that are relatively resistant to this problem.
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Method 1 of 3: Preventing Cloth Fibers from Clumping Due to Use
Step 1. Give the clothes a break
Wearing it too often can cause the fibers to clump, especially if the garment is not rested. To prevent this problem, give it a break of at least 24 hours and return it to its original shape before using it again. This applies to the use of sweaters, T-shirts, pajamas and other clothing.
Wearing the same clothes too often can cause clumps in the fibers of the fabric because the material stretches quickly. This is caused by the short threads in the weave stretching, then turning tangled and lumpy
Step 2. Don't wear a backpack
Backpacks can clump the fibers of the fabric because they cause friction when you move. Parts of the backpack that come into contact with clothing or the body, such as the back, shoulders and forearms, can cause the fibers to clump easily.
Instead of a backpack, use a handbag you like, a suitcase, or a wheeled bag
Step 3. Do not attach the handbag on the shoulder
Handbags can also cause friction and clumps of fabric fibers, especially in the shoulder area. When carrying a handbag, hold the bag and don't attach it to the shoulder if you don't want the fabric fibers to clump together.
Shoulder bags, postman bags, and other accessories that stick directly to clothing can also cause the fibers to clump together
Step 4. Limit friction
Cloths that are prone to clumping should not be rubbed against each other, rubbed against other fabrics, or against other materials. There are several habits that can cause friction in the fabric that must be avoided, namely:
- Put your elbows on the table while eating or working.
- Glide across the floor (can cause lint in socks or back of pants to clump).
- Crawling while wearing trousers.
- Sit on a rough surface.
Step 5. Do not wipe the stain
Oftentimes, a person's reaction when they find a stain on their clothes is to spray on some cleaning fluid and rub the cloth until the stain is gone. However, this method can cause damage to the fibers of the fabric so it must be avoided.
To remove stains from clumping fabrics, place the stained fabric on a clean towel or washcloth. Apply the cleaning fluid of your choice, then pat the soiled area dry with a clean towel. The stain will transfer to the towel without causing friction
Step 6. Keep your fabric away from the velcro
Velcro is very sticky and can stick to the fibers of clothes and other objects. If this happens, the velcro can pull on the shorter threads making it easier to clump.
If you have clothes that have Velcro, be sure to close them tightly, especially when they are about to be washed
Method 2 of 3: Washing Clothes to Prevent Cloth Lining Clumping
Step 1. Turn the clothes inside out before washing
The twisting motion in the washing machine can cause the fabric and clothing to rub against each other, causing the fibers to clump together. To prevent the outside of your clothes from looking ugly, turn them inside out before washing them by machine or by hand.
- Clumps of lint can still appear from the garment being turned over, but the problem will appear on the inside of the garment so that it is not visible from the outside.
- To prevent lint from clumping on the inside and outside of your clothes, put clothes that are prone to clumping in a washing bag before putting them in the machine.
Step 2. Wash the clumping material by hand
Washing by hand is an alternative to using a machine which is considered safer for clothes that are prone to clumping. Wash clothes one by one. To wash clothes and other items by hand, follow these steps:
- Fill a sink or bucket with water at a temperature that is safe for fabrics
- Add detergent and stir the water until foamy
- Soak the washed object for at least five minutes
- Stir the object in the water, but don't rub the ingredients
- Remove the washed object from the sink or bucket, then wring it out to remove excess water
Step 3. Use a liquid detergent that contains enzymes
Detergents and enzyme-based cleaning products can destroy organic substances such as grass and blood stains, and are able to remove the proteins and sugars contained in natural fibers. When washing clothes with this detergent, the enzymes will dissolve the tiny fibers in the fabric that are at risk of clumping.
- When looking for detergents that contain enzymes, look for ingredients such as cellulase, amylase, pectinase, and proteases that break down sugars and carbohydrates, proteins, and other molecules.
- Powdered detergents are sometimes very abrasive. Liquid detergent is relatively non-frictional, and is able to reduce clumps of fabric fibers that appear in the washing process.
Step 4. Use a gentle wash setting
The gentle washing or hand washing setting in the washing machine minimizes friction and helps prevent the fibers from clumping together. These settings make the engine run more smoothly and make the rotation smoother so as to reduce friction inside.
Step 5. Hang clothes to dry
A clothes dryer is another device that can rub clothes against each other. So, drying clothes in them can cause the fibers to clump together. Therefore, hang clothes, sheets, and other laundry to dry on their own.
- When the weather is hot, hang your laundry on a clothesline outside to speed up the process.
- In winter, you can hang clothes indoors to dry. However, make sure you open the windows a little and provide good ventilation so that the air there doesn't feel damp.
Step 6. Use a low heat setting if you want to use the dryer
Sometimes, you may need to use the tumble dry setting to dry clothes that clump easily. When you are faced with the situation, use the lowest heat setting. This will prevent the garment from shrinking and minimize stress on the fibers.
Immediately remove dry clothes to reduce the risk of friction on the material
Method 3 of 3: Buying a Fabric That Won't Clump
Step 1. Avoid using the most vulnerable fabrics
The fibers of any fabric can clump together. However, there are certain types of fabric that are more prone to this problem. If you often have problems with clumping fabric fibers, avoid the following types of fabrics:
- Fabrics made from synthetic materials tend to clump more easily than natural ones. Synthetic materials that are known to cause this problem are polyester, acrylic, and nylon.
- Mixed materials made from a combination of natural and synthetic fabric fibers are also prone to clumping.
- Wool is one of the natural fabrics that clumps easily.
Step 2. Look for a fabric with a tighter weave
The looser the weave or fiber of a fabric, the easier it is for the material to clump together. This is because loose fabric fibers move and rub against each other more often, causing lumps. Loose fibrous fabrics tend to be more susceptible, whereas tight fibrous fabrics are relatively less prone to this problem.
- The thicker the material, the denser the fibers.
- Denim, for example, has fibers that are so tightly packed that they almost never clump together.
Step 3. Choose a fabric with a higher number of weaves
Some cloth items, such as bed sheets, are measured by the amount of weave. Usually, the higher the number of weaves, the longer the weave is made and the higher the quality. Longer weave fabrics are relatively more difficult to clump together because there are no short threads to loosen, tangle, and clump.
