Do Bamboo Sheets Pill?

The short answer is it's unlikely. Especially relative to other types of bed sheets. This holds true if you are careful with your washing habits.

First though, let's understand what is pilling.

What is pilling in fabrics?

Pilling is a characteristic of some fabrics. It can manifest in different ways on the surface of your fabric sofa such as balling and matting of fabric fibres.

There are many elements that can cause pill formation. Typically, it happens due to continuous wear of the fabrics, when fibres wrap themselves around leg hairs and form small clusters or clumps. It’s also possible for some pills to be formed due to residue from a different fabric rubbing against the material. Common culprits outside of bed sheets are rugs, blankets, tracksuit pants or other clothing.

Pilling is not considered a fault in fabric; it does not signal that the material was of low quality or that it was poorly made.

Textile pilling is regularly assessed during manufacturing process to minimise any potential impact on fabrics.

Trying using battery-operated de-pilling device for ongoing management of fabric that pills.

De-pilling only removes surface fibres and does not affect the constitution of the fabric.

Why bamboo sheets are low-pilling

Our sheets specifically are made from low-pilling fabric with a silky and smooth texture, unlike cotton which shrinks after every wash cycle.

All you need to do is feel fabric made from organic bamboo and you'll understand what we mean!

Typically, bamboo sheets are woven in a fabric to reinforce the fibers and ensure that nothing but silky smooth comfort is felt.

Slight pilling is normal for natural fibers, especially in response to friction and isn’t a fault or defect.

When we consider other materials like cotton, linen and flannels, it's fair to say that they tend to pill more than bamboo.

How to avoid pilling when washing sheets

The only exception when it comes to excessive bamboo pilling is your washing method.

To avoid pilling, make sure wash and dry your sheets separately from any other hooks, zips or other clothes with rough textures.

Read our recent post if you want to learn exactly how to wash your bamboo sheets.

How different weaves affect pilling

Percale

A weave of one thread over and under another which creates a soft fabric with a matte finish. They aren't likely to pill as much as other weaves. Percale bamboo sheets are good for hot sleepers due to higher breathability.

Sateen

The sateen weave typically has a silky feel and resists wrinkles, making them the most popular for bed sheets. Sateen sheets tend to retain heat and are more susceptible to pilling or snagging than other fabrics.

Twill

The fabric used in a twill weave is not as soft and smooth as other options, but it offers durability. It is less likely to pill than a sateen weave.

Pilling happens in most sheets, especially when comparing bamboo with cotton sheets. This is why we prefer bamboo.

Our final thoughts on bamboo sheets pilling

Pilling can be quite annoying though it is uncommon in bamboo sheets relative to the other bedding options.

Remember to wash carefully to avoid any excess pilling and choose a percale weave if you're particularly worried.

Sources

• Sekulska-Nalewajko J, Gocławski J, Korzeniewska E. A Method for the Assessment of Textile Pilling Tendency Using Optical Coherence Tomography. Sensors (Basel). 2020;20(13):3687. Published 2020 Jul 1. doi:10.3390/s20133687