How to Remove Pilling from Clothes and Stop Bobbles Coming Back

Here is how to remove pilling from clothes: lay the garment flat, stretch the fabric gently and glide an electric fabric shaver, a disposable razor or a sweater stone over the bobbles in light strokes. Shave in one direction, empty the lint as you go and stop as soon as the surface is smooth. To slow pilling down, wash knitwear inside out on a cool, gentle cycle, skip the tumble dryer and let jumpers rest between wears.

Bobbles, also called pills, are tiny balls of broken fibres that tangle on the surface where fabric rubs: under the arms, on the sides and on cuffs. They do not mean a jumper is faulty. Almost every soft knit pills a little in the first weeks, and the right care keeps it under control.

How to remove pilling from clothes: four methods

1. Electric fabric shaver

The fastest and safest option for jumpers, cardigans and hoodies. Lay the piece on a flat surface, hold the fabric taut with one hand and move the shaver in small circles without pressing. Empty the lint chamber often. A battery shaver costs about the same as a takeaway and lasts for years.

2. Disposable razor

Good for smooth knits and sweatshirts. Use a new single-blade razor, keep it almost flat and shave downwards in short strokes. Do not use it on loose, chunky or open knits: the blade can catch a loop.

3. Sweater stone or pumice

A natural pumice block grips the pills and pulls them off. It suits chunky and cable knits where a shaver struggles with the texture. Brush lightly; heavy pressure thins the yarn.

4. Fine-toothed comb or Velcro

A lint comb or the hook side of Velcro works in an emergency on the go. It is slower but gentle.

Which fabrics pill the most

Pilling depends on fibre length and twist. Short, soft fibres break more easily:

Soft, cosy pieces like womens cardigans and hoodies for women are most likely to need a quick shave once or twice a season.

How to stop pilling coming back

1. Wash less often. Air knitwear overnight instead of washing after every wear.
2. Turn it inside out and close zips and hooks on other items in the load.
3. Use a wool or delicate cycle at 30°C or lower, with a low spin.
4. Wash similar fabrics together. Towels and denim act like sandpaper on soft knits.
5. Skip the tumble dryer. Dry flat on a towel, reshaping while damp.
6. Give pieces a rest. Fibres recover between wears; rotating two or three jumpers halves the rubbing.
7. Watch your bag strap. A cross-body strap rubs one spot every day; switch shoulders.

Mistakes that make bobbles worse

• Pulling pills off by hand: it drags more fibre to the surface.
• Pressing hard with a razor or shaver: it can cut a hole.
• Fabric softener on every wash: it loosens fibres on some blends.
• Hanging heavy jumpers: they stretch, and loose stitches pill faster.

Can you prevent pilling on new clothes?

You cannot stop it completely, but you can make the first weeks easier. Before the first wash, give a new jumper a light pass with a lint roller to lift loose fibres left from knitting. Wear a smooth layer underneath rather than another knit, because two soft fabrics rubbing together pill fastest. Choose tighter knits for pieces you wear under a backpack or seatbelt, and keep the fluffiest, brushed styles for relaxed days at home.

When to de-pill and when to leave it

A light fuzz on a brand-new piece often settles after the first couple of washes. Remove bobbles when you can see distinct balls, usually after two to four weeks of regular wear. For a winter-heavy wardrobe of jumpers, a ten-minute session every few weeks keeps everything looking new.

Men's knits pill in exactly the same places, so the routine works for mens jumpers and cardigans too. And if your weekend loafers need attention as well, see how to clean suede shoes.

From Maria and Denis: keep a small fabric shaver in the drawer with your scarves. Five minutes every few weeks and a jumper looks like the day it arrived.