Have you ever seen a couch with pills in it? It’s frustrating and can lead to an untidy appearance for your space. Unfortunately, this is a common issue that many households experience over time.
However, the good news is there are simple solutions for removing pills from the couch without too much hassle. With just a few steps and basic supplies, your fabric upholstery will look brand new again.
Whether you’ve got a leather or fabric couch, the following guide will help explain how to remove pills from couch quickly and easily.
In this blog post, we take a closer look at what techniques work best for clearing pilings from fabrics, along with other helpful tips on maintaining the cleanliness of your furniture. Let’s dive right in!
What Causes Pilling on Couch?
Pilling is caused when fabrics, like wool and synthetic materials, rub against themselves or other surfaces. Over time, the fabric will begin to break down and create these small balls of fluff that cling onto furniture upholstery.
It’s important to note that pilling isn’t a sign of poor quality fabric or poor manufacture. Rather, it’s just part of natural wear and tear that happens to fabrics over time.
Additionally, if your couch doesn’t get a lot of use or you have pets, this can also contribute to pilling, as the fabric needs to be given more time to rest and recover. Another cause of pilling could be using a vacuum with a brush attachment that is too rough on the fabric.
What Will You Need?
The list of supplies you’ll need to remove pills from your couch is short and simple. All you’ll need is given below:
- A vacuum cleaner
- Cloth or brush
- Hair dryer
- Razor blade (optional)
Once you’ve gathered the necessary supplies, you can move on to the next step.
10 Easy Steps on How to Remove Pills From Couch
Step 1: Vacuum The Fabric
The first step is to vacuum the fabric of your couch using the vacuum cleaner. This will help loosen and remove any existing pills from the surface. This may take a few minutes, depending on how long it has been since you last vacuumed your couch.
Step 2: Brush Off the Pills
Once you’ve vacuumed the fabric, you can use a cloth or brush to brush off any remaining pills gently. You’ll want to ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure, as this can cause damage to the material. Try to focus on removing any large clumps of pilings and work your way down from there.
Step 3: Use a Hair Dryer
If brushing off the pills hasn’t completely removed them, you can try using a hair dryer. Place the dryer approximately 12 inches away from the couch and move it back and forth steadily. This will help get rid of any leftover pills or fibers that may be embedded in the fabric.
Step 4: Use a Razor (Optional)
If you still have trouble removing all the pilling from your couch, try using a razor blade to scrape off any stubborn areas. However, it is important to only use this method as a last resort and with extreme caution. Use a light touch, and never force the razor too hard against the fabric.
Step 5: Keep on Vacuuming
Regularly vacuuming the couch is a great way to help prevent pills from building up in the first place. Make sure to vacuum your couch at least once every two weeks or more often if necessary. This will help keep the fabric looking fresh and debris-free for longer periods.
Step 6: Revisit Brushing
After vacuuming, it’s advisable to revisit brushing the couch fabric periodically. This aids in dislodging any new pills that may have formed since the last cleaning.
Using a soft-bristled brush, gently stroke the fabric in one direction, not applying excessive pressure to the material. This process helps keep the fabric pill-free while giving it a neater appearance. Repeat this process as needed.
Step 7: Air Dry Your Couch
After brushing the couch, it’s important to let the fabric air dry completely. Leave your couch near an open window or a fan to speed up the drying process. Avoid using the couch until it’s fully dried to prevent any new pills from forming. This step also ensures that any residual moisture from the cleaning process is thoroughly evaporated, keeping your couch fresh and clean.
Step 8: Spot Cleaning
If any spills or stains appear on your couch, cleaning them up quickly is essential to prevent them from setting into the fabric and causing damage. Use a clean cloth and a gentle, fabric-safe cleaning solution to dab at the stain. Avoid rubbing the fabric, as this can lead to pilling. Once the stain is gone, blot the area with a dry cloth to remove any residual moisture.
Step 9: Regular Maintenance
Keeping your couch free from pills isn’t just a one-time task – it requires regular upkeep. Just like your vacuum and brush the fabric, remember to inspect the couch for any signs of pilling. Try to address these as soon as they appear, using the steps above. Regular maintenance helps keep your couch looking its best and extends its lifespan.
Step 10: Professional Cleaning
If you’ve followed all the steps above and are still dealing with persistent pilling, consider professional upholstery cleaning. Professionals have specialized tools and expertise to deal with stubborn pills and can restore your couch to its original condition. Remember, it’s an investment in the longevity and aesthetics of your furniture.
Following the steps outlined above, you can quickly and easily remove pills from your couch quickly and easily. With a few basic supplies and patience, your furniture will be as good as new!
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you’re wearing a pair of gloves when removing the pills from the couch. This will ensure that your hands don’t get itchy or irritated.
- Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment can make removing the pills easier and more efficient. Vacuum in one direction over and around the pill-covered area to pick up as many of them as possible.
- A lint roller or tape can also quickly remove pills from the couch. Roll the lint roller or press the sticky tape onto the pills’ location. Then gently peel away and discard.
- If your couch is made of microfibers, use a fine-toothed comb to brush away pills carefully. Start at the base of the pile and work up to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Lastly, to prevent further pilling, make sure you’re using a lint brush or roller on clothing before sitting on the couch. Additionally, rotate cushions regularly so they wear evenly and don’t become overloaded in one area.
Following these steps, you can easily remove pills from your couch and keep it looking new!
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Do not use rough or abrasive materials to remove pills, as this can damage the fabric of your couch.
- Avoid using a high-powered vacuum cleaner on delicate fabrics, as it may cause the fabric to fray or tear.
- Never rub or scrub hard at the pills to remove them; this will only worsen the situation and may even damage the fabric.
- Avoid using lint removal treatments, such as chemicals or sprays, on your couch fabric; these could cause discoloration or staining.
- Pay attention to pilling; it’s important to address it quickly to ensure that the fabric of your couch lasts longer and looks better.
By avoiding these steps, you can ensure that your couch continues to look its best for years!
Does Pilling Go Away?
Pilling can be a pesky problem, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to last forever. Proper care and maintenance can help reduce pilling and keep your couch looking like new.
Regular vacuuming, gentle brushing or combing of fabrics, using a lint roller or tape regularly, and rotating cushions all help reduce pilling and keep your couch looking great for years to come.
You can also purchase special cleaning products that help reduce pilling, such as fabric shavers or electric lint removers. These can be used periodically to help maintain the overall look of your couch and prevent further pilling from occurring.
No matter how persistent the problem may seem, pilling doesn’t have to ruin the look of your furniture or make it unusable. Following these tips and tricks, you can quickly and easily remove pills from your couch and keep it looking new!
Conclusion
To remove pills from the couch, it’s important to start with the most effective method and work your way away from there. Vacuuming will be your best option as it is both easy and effective. Believe it or not, this simple task can make all the difference in bringing a new life into a tired-looking sofa.
There’s more to cleaning than just vacuuming, so don’t forget to use some lint rollers, spot-treat any stubborn spots with laundry detergent, and brush the fabric regularly. This way, you can make pillowy lounging possible for you and your guests again in no time!
Take these tips under advisement to keep your couch pill-free for years to come. Now go forth and get those pesky cushions clean!
Hopefully, the article on how to remove pills from couch has been helpful! If you’ve got any tips or tricks of your own that you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments section below. We’d love to hear what you have to say. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your cleaning endeavors!
