Fuzz and Fluff, both are natural fabric faults that can even destroy your most loved garments, giving them a worn-out or untidy look. While most people use these words interchangeably, “fuzz” and “fluff” are not the same thing. The confusion regarding these terms and what they actually mean can not only boggle your mind, but also make it challenging to pick the right solution for your clothing.
In this blog, we will explain the key differences between “fuzz” and “fluff”, what causes them, and how can you get rid of them. Let’s get started!
What is fabric fuzz?
Fabric Fuzz is a term used for tiny annoying thread balls on the surface of clothes. Most commonly, it is known as pilling, and it makes your clothes look dull and worn-out. Now, the actual question is, why does it occur? The answer is simple: Friction.
When the clothes come in contact with any other surface / or the other piece of clothing, the fibres of threads can tangle and pull as their strength is tested, meaning the loose fibres are pulled to the surface of the clothing. Over time, these fibres gather and form small, tiny balls, particularly in high friction areas, like underarms, cuffs, and the sides of pants resulting in visible areas of pilling balls which give a rough and dull look to the clothing.
Common Culprits
1. Type of fabric
Some fabrics like cotton, wool, and synthetics are highly prone to fuzz and fabric pilling due to their textile structure. While you can easily get rid of pills from cotton fabrics by using a dedicated fabric care detergent such as BIORESTORE laundry powder, it can become trickly to tackle this challenge in synthetic fabrics.
2. Laundry care routine
For people who wash their clothing too often or use a heavy-duty detergent for every load, it’s more common to get pills and fuzz quickly on their fabrics. Similarly, running hot water cycles and using tumble-dryers (after each wash) can also lead to excessive abrasion. Improper laundry care is a key factor in fabric pilling and can prematurely age your clothing.
How does pilling affect your clothing?
As mentioned above, fuzz not only makes your clothes look worn out but also affects their texture, making them feel uncomfortable and rough. Due to fuzz, the delicacy of your favourite sweater will degrade quickly and fade away permanently. So, it’s extremely important to use a sustainable debobbler on time so your clothing can be revived before it gets too late.
Fabric Fluff – Lightweight Lint that sticks
Now comes Fluff- the condition of clothes when lint accumulates on their surface, often due to excessive washing and drying. Fluff happens when the fabric sheds off from the clothing which can happen naturally or due to improper fabric care practices.
Moreover, some detergent formulas that do not support soft fabric also contribute to fluff conditions. It symbolises that the fabric has started breaking down. If we compare the two terms, fluff is normally lighter than fuzz and is easier to remove.
Note: Fluff can transfer from one garment to another very easily in the washing machine, so keep an eye out for the culprit, and wash this separately.
Fabrics most prone to lint
1. Towels
Towels are notorious for being “lint” and “fabric pilling” shedders and commonly develop these fabric faults after only a couple of washes. Considering this, it’s crucial to always wash towels separately from other garments in your laundry pile. That way, you can prevent the fuzz from transferring onto the rest of the items in the washer.
2. Cotton
Cotton, being a natural fabric, is highly prone to lint and pilling. To prevent this from happening, start with buying only high-quality cotton such as Supima cotton. These fabrics have fibres with higher staple length, which makes them less prone to breaking and transferring to the surface of the clothing. On the other hand, cheap-quality cotton or cotton blends usually have shorter fibre staple length, making them highly susceptible to both fuzz and fluff.
PRO TIP: BIORESTORE cotton is the best fluff remover from clothes made of at least 70% cotton in only one home laundry wash. It is much more effective than any other lint removers and can extend the lifecycle of your clothing without any extra hassle. The best part is that it’s sustainable for both your clothing and the environment.
Simply pick your clothing with lint and pilling and add it in the washer with the recommended amount of BIORESTORE Re-Tergent. Then, using the instructions mentioned on the packaging, run a cycle for 2 hours and complete the process with tumble-drying. If the garment cannot be machine-dried, rinse it off with a small amount of your regular detergent and let it dry naturally.
Best Fuzz Remover – Practical Tips and Tricks
1. Turn your clothes inside out
Before washing your clothes, turn them inside out to avoid friction on the visible side of the clothing. This simple practice will go a long way in reducing both fluff and fuzz. Plus, it will keep your clothing looking and feeling it’s best for longer.
2. Keep the wash cycle minimal
Instead of running an hour-long laundry cycle, it’s best to stick to an express cycle that lasts for 20-30 minutes only…And if there are no visible stains on your clothing, you can also get away by simply airing it out instead of washing. Not only is it easier, but it’s also more sustainable.
3. Wash Similar Fabric together
Be wise while washing clothes. Washing similar fabrics together reduces the chance of friction. On the other hand, when you toss both lighter and heavier garments together in the washer, it can significantly increase the abrasion and result in lint and pilling.
4. Air Dry Whenever Possible
Dryers can be harsh on clothes, causing increased piling and lint accumulation. If you want to maintain the integrity of your clothes, then try using air drying practices such as line-drying. These methods are not only good for your fabrics, but also for the environment as you are consuming less power, and less electricity.