Pilling is a characteristic of many fabrics. This is a result of excess fiber coming off the surface
of the material. The release of excess fiber results in small “Balls” or “Pills” forming on the
surface of the upholstery. This condition is NOT warranted by the fabric mills as it is not
considered a defect, but simply the fiber on each individual strand of thread used to weave the
material working through the weave itself. The occurrence is very similar to the “fuzzing”
experienced with new carpeting or the “pilling” of a new sweater.
The concern on the part of most consumers is that the fabric is disintegrating and will ultimately
have a ‘bald’ area on the cover. That is not the case. As with carpets and sweaters, the pilling will
persist until the excess fiber is gone. Only then will the pilling cease.
The best treatment while the fabric is pilling is to simply shave the cover with a battery operated
furniture or sweater shaver (available at most retail fabric stores). This will remove the pills and
restore the look to the fabric surface. This type of maintenance may need to be done two or three
times until the pilling on the surface begins to diminish and ultimately stops completely.
1. Remove the couch cushions and beat them outdoors. This removes the dust and dirt as well as loose
fuzz and lint. Doing this periodically can minimize the appearance of loose debris in general, so it’s a
good practice.
2. Vacuum your couch upholstery whenever you do your regular household vacuuming, or whenever you
want to remove fuzz from the couch specifically. A hand vac is especially useful for easily reaching the
grooves and crevices of the upholstery, but a vacuum hose also works well.
3. Roll a lint remover over the upholstery, wherever fuzz appears. These hand-held rollers, commonly
used to remove pet hair and lint from clothes, can also remove sticky, stubborn fuzz from couch
upholstery. Lift the couch cushions and find any fuzz balls that may be hiding.
4. Clip any fuzz that remains attached to the couch. Not all fuzz balls willingly adhere themselves to a lint
roller or get sucked into a vacuum cleaner. Some remain attached to the upholstery. A small pair of
clippers can remove them cleanly if you cut them at the root, and a clothes shaver also works. These
handheld devices use a small rotary blade to cut lint and fuzz out of fabrics and upholstery