top of page

Maybe your sofa isn't dirty...


…maybe it needs to be de-pilled.


With over two decades in the interior design industry I've seen it all, and I can tell you two things with confidence; 1) nothings surprises me, and 2) there's a solution to every problem. One thing I've noticed over the years in homes is the state of fabric upholstered sofas. It could be new or old, high end or retail and it looks dirty - but it's been cleaned it, sometimes professionally cleaned, and yet it still looks haggard. The issue is that the fabric has pilled and many people aren't sure what to do about it or may not realize they even can do something about it. The dirt or discoloration is trapped in these tiny knotted, matted fibers and simply cannot be removed by cleaning only.





First, let me tell you that pilling fabric is absolutely normal. It happens to synthetic and natural fibers alike and occurs over time from the friction and rubbing on the upholstery with use. It's not a defect or a sign of poor quality. Rugs shed, sofas pill - it's a part of life. But there is a simple solution! If you've experienced pilling on any of your fabric upholstered furniture it's time to set yourself up with the proper tools to maintain your sofa and keep it looking like new for years to come.


The above is an example of a sofa before and after de-pilling. The difference is undeniable. For reference, this ivory fabric upholstered sofa is two years old and lives in a home with a toddler and a shedding dog. With a thorough de-pilling it looks like new again. This was two years of built-up pilling, but it doesn't have to get to this state with regular maintenance.


 

DE-PILL YOUR SOFA IN 5 EASY STEPS


1 Remove all cushions from the sofa so you can easily access all sides. (Tip: You can do this for throw pillows that need maintenance too!)


2 Use a lint roller to remove any surface fuzz, crumbs, pet hair, etc. before you attempt de-pill your sofa.


3 Be sure you use a quality electric and/or battery operated fabric shaver that is light-weight and has a large shaving head as well as a large lint collector. This way you can cover more surface space for a longer amount of time at once.


4 Press the shave head firmly and evenly onto the fabric surface. Not too hard, because it could jam the shaver but not to loosely because it could snag and pull the fabric causing damage. (Tip: You want to de-pill on a smooth, even surface. If your cushions are plush, firm and tightly upholstered, this is ideal. If your cushions are more fluffy, soft and loosely upholstered, pull the area you are working on taut to get an create a smooth, even surface.)


5 Try a test spot on an inconspicuous area first to get feel for how it works. Work side to side and then up and down until you get a thoroughly de-pilled, smooth surface and you are pleased with the results. Repeat as needed.



 
Fabric shavers

コメント


コメント機能がオフになっています。
bottom of page