Introduction
Hemp is extremely popular because of the greenness, toughness and versatility of the fabric. The natural fibre, which is extracted from the stalks of the hemp plant, is renowned for its breathability, moisture absorption, and biodegradability. From clothing and upholstery to fashion accessories and household products, hemp is applied everywhere.
Although beneficial in so many ways, hemp cloth still carries a textile curse: pilling. Pilling occurs when friction produces tiny fiber balls or “pills” on the fabric surface. The pills can alter the look and feel of hemp items, making consumers dissatisfied.
In this article, you’ll find out what causes pilling in hemp fabric, how to prevent it, and how to effectively stop pilling in the meantime. Using these instructions will allow you to stay in control of your hemp goods.
1. Understanding Pilling in Hemp Fabric
What is Pilling?
Pilling occurs when the fibrous elements on the surface of a cloth become intertwined through friction. These knots form small icky balls, also known as “pills”. Pilling happens naturally on most fabrics, but it can be particularly noticeable on natural fibers such as hemp.
When Does Pilling Happen on Hemp?
Despite hemp’s hardiness, it doesn’t stay pimple-free. This has many causes:
- Friction In Use: Regular scratching on clothes, other textiles, or even washing can loosen fibers and produce pills.
- Slippery Surface Fibers: Hemp fabric typically has shorter fibers on the surface that are more susceptible to separation and tangling.
- Inadequate Maintenance: Overwashing, drying, or scrubbing too hard will make the fiber break faster and cause pilling.
Also Read : How to Store Hemp Products to Maintain Longevity
What Causes Hemp Fabric to Pill?
- Fiber Blend: Hemp combined with other fibres (cashmere, cotton, etc.) may be pillier than pure hemp, depending on the mix. Pure hemp pills less often but isn’t safe.
- Weft and Texture: Unstitched hemp fabric tends to pill more easily than knitted hemp fabrics because the unstitched version leaves more fibers exposed to friction.
- Use and Care: Use and frequent washing expose the fabric to friction and tension on a constant basis that promotes pilling.
2. Preventing Pilling in Hemp Fabric
Proper Washing Techniques
The best anti-pitching action you can take is washing it right:
- A Gentle Cycle: Use a delicate or gentle cycle to minimize agitation that may loosen fibers.
- Use Cold Water: Cold water puts less strain on the fabric and maintains its structural integrity.
- Turn It Inside Out: Avoid stains on the outer layer of hemp clothes by turning them inside out prior to washing. This minimizes friction during washing.
Avoid Overloading the Washing Machine
Overfilling the washing machine pushes garments against one another, causing them to pill. Don’t let water and detergent fill the entire machine, so that it can go through an intensive, yet gentle wash.
Use a Laundry Bag
If you have fragile hemp items, try putting them in a mesh laundry bag to wash them. The bag keeps it out of direct contact with other clothing and the drum of the washer.
Choose Appropriate Detergents
Excessive detergents, such as enzyme-based detergents, bleaches or softeners, damage hemp fibers and make them susceptible to breakage and pilling. Use mild, eco-friendly detergents that do not strip the fabric of its original durability.
Limit High-Heat Exposure
Heating can break down the hemp fabric fibres, making it more susceptible to pilling. Don’t tumble-dry your hemp products, air-dry them whenever possible. If a dryer is needed, use a low- or no-heat setting.
Reduce Friction During Use
In the course of daily wear, hemp garments and products are often subjected to friction:
- Pair hemp clothing with textured materials to avoid wear and tear.
- Avoid wearing hemp items under a heavy backpack or accessories that may rub against the fabric.
- Change items regularly to minimize over-wear in high-resistance zones.
Once pilling is diagnosed, there are several ways to remove the pills without damaging the hemp fabric:
Using a Fabric Shaver or Depiller Tool.
- One of the best pill-removing instruments is a fabric razor. It slices off the pills with a knife, restoring the fabric’s silkiness.
- Shave very gently, keeping with the grain of the cloth to prevent thinning or tearing the cloth.
Adhesive Tape or Lint Roller
- Pills can be picked up with adhesive tape or a lint roller for minimal pilling.
- Apply the tape or roller gently to the fabric and lift it up to extract pills without damaging the fabric.
Manual Removal with Scissors
- When pilling isolated pills, make sure to cut them with a pair of small sharp scissors.
- Hold the material up as tightly as possible, so you don’t cut into the fabric.
Preventing Recurrence
Even after pill removal, it’s important to do things to stop the pill from coming back:
Treat High-Friction Areas
Put fabric protectors or sprays on friction points like sleeves, knees, or cushions. These are protective products that keep the fibers from unravelling.
Adopt Preventive Care Practices
- Wash hemp clothes on a low cycle, with cold water, and from the inside out so that there is less agitation.
- Be sure to store hemp products properly so as to prevent any unnecessary friction in the handling or storage process.
Choose Low-Friction Environments
If you use or wear hemp products, do not combine them with rough or hard objects that could cause excessive wear.
4. Solutions for Severe Pilling
When pilling has become severe, additional efforts may be needed to rehabilitate or recycle the fabric.
Reconditioning Hemp Fabric
When heavily pilled areas are involved, the re-conditioning of the fabric removes pilling and restores texture:
Rub or Brush with a Pumice Stone.
- Brush the fabric gently with a small pumice stone. This technique is appropriate for thicker-woven hemp fabrics.
- Brush one way or the other to keep the fibers from fraying and then use a lint roller to clean loose pills.
Carefully Comb the Fabric
- To remove pilling on more fragile hemp items, use a pilling fabric comb.
- Apply small quantities to get consistent results and to avoid thinning the mixture.
Professional Cleaning or Repair
Professional assistance may be needed for rare or heavily pillaged goods:
Seek Professional Cleaning Services
- It’s important to understand that professional cleaners will have tools and experience in the area to help tackle severe pilling without damaging the integrity of the cloth.
- This is especially good for hemp furniture, rugs, or expensive clothing.
Fabric Reinforcement or Patching
- If you’re dealing with hemp furniture or heavily utilized pieces, try adding extra cloth or patches to hard-wearing parts.
- That not only gets it back in place, but also adds some nice style to it, if you’re creative.
Repurposing Pilled Hemp Items
If pilling is too extreme to mend, recycling the fabric for other practical purposes is eco-friendly:
Reusable Cleaning Cloths
- Highly pilled hemp fibres can be snipped up and used as strong cleaning cloths.
- Due to its organic absorbency, hemp is an excellent solution for all home cleaning purposes.
Tote Bags or Accessories
- Use the fabric to make simple tote bags, pouches or storage bags.
- Adding adornments can make them useful and help keep the waste low.
Craft Projects
- Pilled hemp cloth can be used for making quilts, patchwork, or pet bedspread.
- Such projects allow you to scale the fabric’s utility and contribute to sustainability.
5. Long-Term Care Solutions To Prevent Pilling
Hemp textiles are famous for being durable, strong and environmentally friendly, but also delicate, which means they should be treated carefully to avoid pilling and keep up over the long run. You can enjoy the look and use of hemp for decades if you take good care of it. Here are comprehensive long-term care guidelines geared toward minimizing pilling while keeping the fabric clean and looking its best.
Choose Higher-Quality Hemp Fabrics
The weave of hemp fabric contributes to pilling. When it comes to choosing hemp products, it pays to invest in good materials.
Choose Super-Thin Hemp Fabrics.
- Sewn hemp fabrics are less susceptible to pilling than loose-woven hemp.
- Find fabrics with a higher thread count or ones infused with complimentary fibers such as organic cotton or silk, which will ensure durability and minimize fiber breakage.
Hemp Blends for Reduced Pilling
- Blended fabrics typically incorporate materials that resist the pilling that naturally occurs in hemp fibers.
- Hemp-cotton or hemp-polyester blends, for instance, can provide smoother edges and better abrasion resistance.
Check Fabric Finish
A few hemp fabrics are also coated with anti-pilling additives. They’re not necessarily necessary, but they can offer added protection for frequently used objects.
Rotate Frequently Used Items
Pilling occurs in large numbers due to frequent wear and tear. By rotating your hemp pieces, you’re spreading the load over multiple pieces, minimizing the impact on any single item or fabric.
Wardrobe Rotation
- Change out various hemp clothing (shirts or pants) to ensure you don’t wear one thing you already own.
- This is especially useful for common garments such as hemp tops or jackets that are frequently scratched.
Upholstery and Home Textiles
- Rotate hemp upholstery cushions and bedding to correct wear.
- Turn the seat cushions around once or twice a day so that there is less pressure in any given region.
Seasonal Use
Store seasonal hemp products (like summer dresses or flimsy scarves) correctly away from the elements so that they are not worn.
Store Properly
You need to store them correctly in order to prevent pilling, to preserve fabric quality, and to prevent any damage to the environment.
Cool, Dry Storage Areas
- Be sure to store hemp products in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture damage (mold or mildew) that weakens the fibers and increases pilling.
- Store hemp fabrics out of direct sunlight, as prolonged sunlight will sag fibers and make them susceptible to abrasion.
Use Breathable Storage Solutions
- Hemp clothes and linens should be aired out and kept in cotton bags or fabric baskets to catch the dust.
- Don’t use plastic bags or unheated containers that keep moisture in and become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Folded vs. Hanging Storage
- For heavy hemp clothing such as jackets, padded hangers help to hold the garment in place and prevent fiber stress.
- Fold light fabrics such as shirts or sheets tightly to prevent folds and fibers from coming together at pressure points.
Use Fabric Softeners or Conditioners
The fabric softeners can smooth hemp fabrics and reduce pilling by eliminating friction during use and washing.
Eco-Friendly Fabric Softeners
- Stick with biodegradable or plant-based fabric softeners to reflect hemp’s sustainability.
- Be careful of harsh chemicals that can weaken hemp fibers over time.
Homemade Fabric Conditioner
- White vinegar mixed with essential oils makes a natural, non-toxic fabric softener.
- Vinegar helps to dissolve residue in detergents, making the fabric smoother and less pilly.
Skip Overuse
Don’t use too many softeners — too much will lead to the build-up that may, over time, stiffen the fabric or make it more breathable.
Regular Maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance is required to ensure that hemp fabrics last longer. Regular maintenance allows you to handle small problems such as pilling before they become serious.
Inspect Frequently
- Be sure to check high-slip spots like elbows, cuffs, or seats for pilling early on.
- Little pilling is easy to eliminate if detected early, and prevents the fiber from becoming damaged.
Address Pilling Promptly
- Absorb the pills as soon as you see them using a fabric shaver, adhesive tape or lint roller.
- Pulling and pulling on pills will splinter the surrounding fibrils.
Follow Manufacturer Instructions
- Washing and care instructions should be noted on the care label.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure that the product is not damaged when it is washed.
6. What Good Does Good Hemp Fabric Care Do?
Care for hemp textiles has many practical and environmental benefits. The proactive measures you take to reduce and combat pilling will help your hemp products stay functional, attractive, and sustainable.
Extended Lifespan
Durability
- Having pilling removed ensures that the material has retained its structural strength, so that it can withstand decades of use without deterioration.
- Hemp is a sturdy material on its own, and proper care does nothing but increase that inherent strength.
Reduced Replacement Costs
- If you take the time to care for your hemp goods, you can avoid replacing them in the long run, which will cost less.
- Durable products also lower consumption as a whole and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Sustained Appearance
Maintaining a Polished Look
- Piling can leave fabrics looking old and distressed. You keep hemp clothes and household fabrics clean and in good shape by eliminating pills and preventing pilling.
- Taking care gives texture and sheen to the fabric that maintains its original appeal.
Retaining Versatility
Properly cared-for hemp clothes and fabrics are also suitable for use in a wide range of environments, from street wear to more formal settings.
Eco-Friendly Advantage
Reducing Waste
- Preventing pilling and preserving hemp products extends their lifespan, eliminating textile waste, which is one of the most polluting sources of pollutants.
- Strong fabrics such as hemp meet the criteria for living sustainably by being quality rather than quantity.
Minimizing Resource Use
- Care helps to prevent you from regularly washing, ironing or replacing the piece, saving on energy and water.
- Additionally, selecting sustainable care products and techniques also minimizes the ecological footprint of your hemp products.
Yashvi Jain, a writer by day and reader by night, is an accomplished content writer and published author of ‘Mind Under Construction. Yashvi possesses extensive knowledge of fabrics, sustainability, and literature. On occasions, you would catch her scripting for her YouTube channel, engrossed in fiction, or ardently dedicating her time to research and storytelling.