[that mad man (OP)]

I have had a sweatshirt top for several months now and have noticed its starting to get bobbles on it. By "bobbles" I mean tiny round bits that are on the surface of the material but made from the same stuff.

This seems to happen to some types of clothes after repeated washing and gets worse over time.

What causes this? Is it the the washing powder, the type of material washed, the washing machine or a bobble fairy?


PS: I tried shouting "I don't believe in fairies" at the washing machine but it still happens! []

[rosalind dna]

I have often wondered at this question too, but it could static causing these "bobbles/lumps on the wool"

It is not likely to be the washing powder because it's always happened ever since I was a kid (years ago) lol@me

[paul.fr]

Isn't it caused by the friction between the clothes in the washing machine, and the friction between the clothes and the inside of the drum? Loose fibres and all that. This would also explain why it is more noticable in fabrics such as wool and acrylic.

You could always try shaving the bubbles away.

[rosalind dna]

Isn't it caused by the friction between the clothes in the washing machine, and the friction between the clothes and the inside of the drum? Loose fibres and all that. This would also explain why it is more noticable in fabrics such as wool and acrylic.

You could always try shaving the bubbles away.

Paul last time I did that then I got holes in the softer fabrics so it was a clothes shopping trip which I hate doing now.

[that mad man (OP)]

Thanks rosalind and paul.

My daughter-in-law said its simple just turn the clothing inside-out!
So, it looks as though it is to do with the friction and the way modern washing machines work.

That seems to make sense now as it don't seem to happen when hand washing so, the next new top I buy I will reverse it when washing and give it a try. I don't mind if the bobbles then appear on the inside.

@ paul. Shave them off, sorry no shaving equipment as I am a bearded one (der)! I must admit I have seen someone using sticky tape to remove them.

[techmind]

Hmmm... certain t-shirts are highly prone to gaining bobbles when you wear a rucksack over them.  []
I've no-doubt it's the same cause, but why are a few t-shirts far worse for it than others?

[Karen W.]

Paul is right about the rubbing.
Also You must never wash terry cloth with sweaters or t-shirts as the threads are more fibrous and the fibers glum together and grab onto woolens and sweaters like velcro so your sweaters etc end up with the looser towel fibers etc on them in little linen balls. They do make little grabbers and clothing shavers for this problem...

wash like materials together never mix your fuzzy stuff with other loads..

[paul.fr]

@ paul. Shave them off, sorry no shaving equipment as I am a bearded one (der)! I must admit I have seen someone using sticky tape to remove them.

Bee, I always had you pegged as a beardie...

[Don_1]

@ paul. Shave them off, sorry no shaving equipment as I am a bearded one (der)! I must admit I have seen someone using sticky tape to remove them.

WHAT BEARDS!!!!!!!!! YEOOOOUUUCH

[that mad man (OP)]

Quote by karen

"They do make little grabbers and clothing shavers for this problem..."

I though that was a joke at first but its true!

@paul, only in the winter as its warmer, the beard that is.

[Karen W.]

Hey! You are right about the sticky tape, its great for pet hair! They make rollers that Have a large spool of tape, When one layer is covered with hair and no longer usefull, you peel it off,to reveal new tape! It is specifically designed for clothing!

[that mad man (OP)]

@ Don_1 hehe, just realised what I wrote and what you said.

Oche indeed!