Guidelines and advice on garment pilling

Schoolwear has many social advantages and has become an important part of a growing child's wardrobe. However, the fabrics and yarns that are used in these garments have to be cared for correctly

Most schoolwear is worn eight hours a day and approximately forty two weeks of the year. The garments are occasionally not just used for wearing but as goal posts, in games of tug of war and general playground and leisure time activities.

To help maintain the appearance and longevity of your garments, we offer the following advice:-

• Always wash the garment inside out. This will help to reduce any pills or bobbles that may form, as loose fibres come to the surface and if pilling does occur, remove by hand or purchase a machine for this purpose.
• Always wash the garment separately or with similar coloured garments.
• Always use a cool wash (40°C) using a mild detergent at reduced machine actions and dry flat.
• The use of fabric conditioner is not recommended.
• Do not tumble dry, but if there is no alternative only use a cool setting. If the garment is subjected to high temperatures, the fabric will looses its elasticity and the garment's appearance and longevity will deteriorate.
• Do not iron the garment but if necessary use a cool iron on a dry garment. A hot iron can cause glazing (A shiny surface) especially on damp garments, and also breakdown of the fibres used.

It is a recognised fact that knitted goods are prone to pilling, some more than others. The main reason is friction or rubbing against another object. This does not necessarily mean that the garment is faulty. Pilling can be caused by any of the following :-

• External friction i.e. movement against another fabric or object;
• Heat generated by the individual when the garment is worn;
• Washing the garment at the incorrect temperature and/or with other fabrics that will rub against the garment;
• Tumble drying the garment at too high a temperature, which caused the heat to draw out the fibre.

Some garments appear to have 'fluffed up' after a short period of wear and this is due to surface fibre from the yarn coming to the surface. The yarn in these cases is slightly hairier than usual and the hairs disappear after a period of wear and washing. This is similar to a carpet, where when first laid, the loose fibres come to the surface and are vacuumed away. If the fibres do not wash away, a pilling machine can be used to remove the excess fibre to enhance the look of the garment. Once the fibre is removed the garment is unlikely to pill again.