Testing for pilling is more important with which type of upholstery fabrics?

Testing for pilling is especially important with synthetic fibers due to their unique properties. Synthetic upholstery fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are made from plastics that can create a higher degree of friction against themselves or other materials during use. This friction can lead to the development of pills—small, tangled balls of fibers—on the surface of the fabric.

While natural fibers like cotton or linen can also pill, they typically do so to a lesser extent because their fibers are more likely to break down under stress rather than clump together. Wool blends can also experience pilling but are often treated or structured in ways that mitigate this issue compared to 100% synthetic materials. Therefore, given the propensity for synthetic fibers to pill, ensuring their quality and durability through pilling tests becomes crucial for upholstery applications where wear and tear are expected.