Home » Blog » Why is the Fabric Pilling on my Couch? What Can I Do to Fix It?

Why is the Fabric Pilling on my Couch? What Can I Do to Fix It?

By Jeff Frank

Question:

I bought a recliner and couch less than one year ago. The fabric pills.

I am the only person to use the furniture, no heavy wear or animals.

What can I do?

Answer:

Pilling is a characteristic of some fabrics when new.

Pilling has nothing to do with fabric durability or quality.

It is not considered a fabric defect and is specifically excluded from coverage in most furniture warranties.

If pilling does occur, it can be easily corrected.

Pilling is a temporary condition that is most likely to occur only when the furniture is brand new (up to one-year-old.)

Pilling is more common among fabrics made with synthetic fibers than with natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or wool.

Among synthetics, acrylics are more likely to pill than polyesters.

But polyesters are so common (there are millions of different polyester fabrics) that most pilling complaints may appear to be about polyesters.

The vast majority of polyester fabrics do not have pilling problems.

The fabrics that are most likely to pill are densely woven synthetics (which are also the most durable fabrics.)

Check out these articles that describe “pilling” and what can be done to correct it:

How to remove fabric pilling from upholstery (This article recommends an inexpensive pill remover that is available from Amazon.)

Fabric Pilling Information

Upholstery Pilling

Here is a video about pilling that provides more information.

If you like my Insider’s Guide To Furniture, please encourage your friends and family to check it out.

My 45 years in the furniture industry have provided a detailed knowledge of furniture brands, construction, quality & value.

Over the past decade, I have written over 2,000 articles, reviews, and answers, seen by over 2 million viewers.

If any company or individual feels that the information on this website is out-of-date or inaccurate, please let me know and it will be promptly corrected.

Important Note about advertising on this website:

I do not solicit or accept payment from any of the brands reviewed or mentioned on InsidersGuideToFurniture.com.

Despite this, you may see ads on the website. These ads are generated by Ezoic.

Ezoic is a Google platform for website publishers. It is completely automated!

I do not have contact with any of the companies or agencies that choose to advertise on this website through Ezoic.

Leave a Comment