In pictures
In this article
Short answer: pilling is short fibre ends working out of the yarn and tangling into small balls on the surface. It is worst where the body rubs: under the shoulders, hips and feet. You reduce it by choosing smoother yarn and a tighter weave, and by not washing sheets with towels.
How pills form
- Friction lifts loose fibre ends out of the yarn.
- The ends tangle into a ball.
- On pure cotton, the ball usually breaks off and washes away.
- On poly-cotton, the strong polyester fibres anchor the ball to the sheet. It stays.
That is why a poly-cotton sheet can look worse than a cotton one after the same wear, even though the polyester sheet is stronger.
What makes a sheet pill
| Cause | Why |
|---|---|
| Short cotton fibres | More loose ends per metre of yarn |
| Loosely spun or hairy yarn | Ends are not held in |
| Loose weave | Yarns move and rub against each other |
| Polyester blends | Pills are held on instead of falling off |
| Rough skin, stubble, friction | More rubbing in the same spots |
| Washing with towels | Lint and abrasion from the terry |
| Overdrying and harsh chemicals | Weaken and break fibres |
Percale and sateen
| Percale | Sateen | |
|---|---|---|
| Weave | One over, one under. Tight | Threads float over several others |
| Feel | Crisp, cool, matt | Smooth, silky, slight sheen |
| Pilling | Resists it well | More exposed thread, so more prone if the yarn is not good |
| Snagging | Low | Higher |
Sateen feels more luxurious new. Percale usually looks better for longer in a hard-working hotel. A good sateen in quality yarn holds up well. A cheap one pills fast.
Thread count is not the answer
A very high thread count can be reached by twisting several thin, weak yarns together. Those sheets can pill more, not less. A well-made 250 to 300 thread count sheet often outlasts a doubtful 600. See the thread count guide.
What to put on the spec
Describe the result, and ask for a test:
- *"Sheets to remain smooth in use. Pilling resistance grade 4 or better after testing, test report required."*
- *"100% cotton"* if you want pills to shed, or a stated blend if you accept the trade-off for faster drying.
- *"Percale weave"* for the hardest-wearing surface.
- A stated thread count, with the yarn described as single-ply.
Pilling is graded 1 to 5 in the laboratory, where 5 means no change and 1 means severe. See how to read a test report.
A sample test you can do
Rub the sample firmly against itself, face to face, 50 times in one spot. Look at it in side light. Then wash it five times and look again. Fuzz that appears quickly will be pills within weeks.
Laundry habits that help
- Wash sheets separately from towels.
- Don't overload machines.
- Use the right dose of detergent and rinse well.
- Don't overdry.
- Avoid chlorine bleach beyond what is needed. It weakens cotton.
If your sheets are already pilling
A fabric shaver removes pills but not the cause. If a batch pills within months, note where on the sheet it happens, photograph it, and raise it with your supplier. Then change the spec on the reorder.
Prices for the usual hotel choices
Our published FOB Cochin bands: 200 thread count percale sets at $5.00 to $7.50, 300 thread count percale sets at $8.00 to $11.00, and 400 thread count sateen sets at $11.00 to $16.00. Bed linen starts at 50 pieces per size.
For the weave choice in detail, see percale vs sateen for hotels. To get sheets quoted with pilling resistance on the spec, send us your sizes.
Share this article
Want pricing on what you just read?
Leave your work email — our export desk replies with specs, MOQ and a quote within 1 business day.
Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
Ready to Order?
Send us your specification. We reply within one business day and send a priced quote within 48 hours.
Request an Export QuoteWhere to go next