If you have ever taken your sheets out of the dryer and discovered that they are covered in pills, you know how frustrating it can be. Most people will try to buy as high quality of sheets as their budget will allow, and it can be very discouraging to see that after only a few washes, the sheets have begun to develop these uncomfortable and unsightly little pills. But where do they come from? Why do some sheets pill? And is there anything we can do to prevent them from continuing to pill?

The Washing Process

Some people believe that pilling occurs because of the washing process. A traditional washer and dryer can be rough on sheets, which are typically thin when compared to the cloth used to make shirts and pants. And while some people may be tempted to wash their sheets on a gentle cycle, all of the sweat, hair, and dirt that our sheets encounter on a regular basis usually requires a much more astringent wash.

Many people use bleach on their sheets, which can further distress the material. As the material becomes distressed, it will begin to thread and become damaged, which allows those little pills to form. Some people blame fabric softener or the harsh treatment of the dryer, but in reality, the quality of the sheets matters far more than how or how often they are washed.

Quality of Sheets

Low thread count sheets are far more likely to pill than high thread count sheets. High thread count sheets are typically much stronger and have a denser weaving pattern than low thread count sheets. Because they do not have as many threads in the same area, and because threads used to make low quality sheets are also of a low quality nature, it is very easy for the individual threats to pull apart and start pilling. Above 300 threads per inch is a good place to start.

Type of Fabric

Some materials are more likely to pill than others. For example, cotton is more likely to pill than silk, and flannel is more likely to pill than cotton. This comes down to the strength of the individual fibers in each kind of fabric. For example, silk is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world, and is therefore very difficult to make it break and pill. Cotton is also strong, but it is still possible that the punishment of repeated washings can ruin the threads.

Pill Removal

While there are “pill scrapers” you can find online, the only reliable way to handle pills on your sheets is prevention. By purchasing high quality sheets that make use of high quality materials, you are less likely to see annoying pills.