If you’ve ever noticed little fuzzy balls appearing on your baby’s clothes, or even your own jumpers, you’ve come across fabric bobbling (also called pilling). It’s one of those everyday fabric quirks that can leave things looking a little worn – but don’t worry, it’s completely normal and not a fault in the fabric.

Let’s look at why bobbling happens, how to prevent it, and what you can do if bobbles appear on your baby’s clothing or bibs.

Why Do Fabrics Bobble?

Bobbles form when fibres from the surface of a fabric tangle together through friction (rubbing). Over time, these tangles form small balls that cling to the surface.

There are two main reasons this happens:

1. Surface Friction – Whenever fabric rubs against another surface (clothing, car seats, washing machines), fibres loosen and twist into bobbles.

2. Fabric Construction – Softer, blended fabrics (like cotton or bamboo mixes) are more prone to bobbling because their fibres are shorter and move around more easily.

👉 Sometimes, what looks like bobbling is actually the lighter fibres underneath a printed or dyed fabric becoming more visible as the fabric naturally wears. For example, on darker fabrics, the white base fibres may show through with heavy use, giving a “bobble-like” look.

When Baby Clothes and Bibs Might Bobble More

Babies’ clothing and accessories can bobble more quickly because they experience a lot of friction during daily life. Some common situations include:

• 👶 In a baby carrier – constant rubbing against clothing and straps.

• 💤 During naps on you – fabric rubbing against your chest, arms, or sofa cushions.

• 🚼 In car seats or pushchairs – buckles and harnesses press against fabric.

• 🍼 While feeding – bibs rubbing repeatedly against highchair trays or your baby’s arms.

• 🧺 Washing and drying – clothes and bibs tumbling together in the machine cause friction.

How to Prevent Bobbling

While you can’t stop bobbling entirely (it’s a natural part of wear and tear), you can slow it down:

• Wash with care: Turn garments inside out, wash on a gentle cycle, and avoid overloading the machine.

• Avoid high heat: Tumble dryers can increase friction; air-dry when possible.

• Wash similar fabrics together: Rougher fabrics (like jeans or towels) can cause bobbles on softer items.

• Choose quality fabrics: Natural fibres like bamboo are softer and more resilient, but like all fabrics, they still need gentle care.

How to Treat Bobbles

If bobbles do appear, don’t panic – it doesn’t mean the product is faulty. Here are some simple fixes:

• Fabric shaver or depiller: A small handheld tool designed to gently remove bobbles.

• Sweater comb: Works well for delicate fabrics.

• Sticky tape trick: For a quick fix, press sticky tape onto bobbles and lift them away.

Removing bobbles every so often helps keep fabrics looking fresh and new.

Final Thoughts

Bobbling is a completely normal part of fabric life – especially for items that work as hard as baby bibs and clothing. While it can be reduced with careful washing and use, it’s often a sign that the item has been well-loved and well-used.

At Bibbilyboo, our bamboo-Cotton blend bibs are designed for everyday life with babies – soft, absorbent, and durable. And while they may show some fluffing on darker colours over time (especially with heavy use in baby carriers or pram straps), they’ll still do their job brilliantly: keeping your little one clean and comfortable.