Pilling is a characteristic of any man-made fibers. It's a process that results in the formation of small fuzzy b@lls or “pills” on the fabric surface. Fabrics containing fibers such as acrylic, nylon, or polyester have a tendency to pill.
Abrasion from normal wear and cleaning causes the fibers to unravel and the loose ends b@ll up on the fabric surface. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, or wool may also pill at times, but the b@lls of fibers are usually removed during laundering.
A woven fabric is, by its very nature, of a tighter construction, so it’s more difficult for fibers to migrate to the surface and cause pilling. Synthetic knits exhibit pilling problems because of their loose construction, and knits of synthetic staple fibers contain numerous eligible free fiber ends that begin the pilling process. Filament fabrics have no free ends to migrate, so no pills can form.
While most clothing is unfortunately subject to pilling, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening. Check out some tips to follow when you're buying and caring for your wardrobe at Goodhousekeeping.com.