How to Remove Pilling from Clothes

Fabric bobbles (pills) form from friction, not from bad washing. They can be removed entirely with a fabric shaver, razor, or pumice stone — and the garment will look new again.

Removal Methods

Fabric shaver (lint shaver)

Best overall

Lay the garment flat on a hard surface. Stretch the fabric taut with one hand. Move the shaver in slow, circular motions, letting the rotating blades cut the pill heads without pulling the fabric. Empty the collection chamber regularly.

✓ Best for: All fabrics with light to heavy pilling⚠ Avoid on: Loosely knitted items — the blade can catch loops

£8–25 one-time purchase

Disposable razor

Good — free option

Use a cheap disposable razor (not a multi-blade cartridge razor). Lay fabric flat and stretch it. Shave in one direction with very light pressure. Works like a fabric shaver but requires more care to avoid cutting threads.

✓ Best for: Cotton, polyester, denim⚠ Avoid on: Wool, cashmere, silk — too high risk of snags

Free (use an old razor)

Pumice / lint stone

Good for wool and knitwear

Use a dedicated fabric stone or pumice stone. Brush lightly in one direction across the pilled area. The abrasive surface removes pills without sharp blades, making it safer on loosely knitted fabrics.

✓ Best for: Wool, cashmere, heavy knits⚠ Avoid on: Delicate weaves — can thin the fabric

£3–8

Lint roller tape

Quick fix only

Lint rollers remove loose debris and minor surface fuzzing, but cannot cut established pill balls. Use as a follow-up after shaving to collect the removed pills.

✓ Best for: Finishing step after shaving⚠ Avoid on: Primary removal — it won't cut established pills

£2–5

Velcro laundry ball (in the wash)

Gentle prevention method

Velcro laundry balls tumble in the drum and pull loose fibres before they ball up. They work as prevention rather than removal. Add to every wash with pilling-prone items.

✓ Best for: Synthetics, polyester blends⚠ Avoid on: Wool — use wool wash bag instead

£3–6

Where Pills Form First

UnderarmsHigh friction from arm movement against the body

Inner thighsFabric-on-fabric rubbing while walking

Collar and cuffsRepeated contact with skin and surfaces

Bag contact areasShoulder bag straps rub against shoulders and back

Seat (trousers)Friction with chair surfaces

Pilling Risk by Fabric

Wool / CashmereHigh risk

Short, fine fibres break off easily and tangle into balls with friction

→ Pumice stone or fabric shaver (carefully)

PolyesterHigh risk

Strong synthetic fibres resist breaking — they migrate to the surface and form tight balls

→ Fabric shaver

Cotton blend (poly-cotton)High risk

The synthetic component pills heavily while the cotton component holds the pills in place

→ Fabric shaver or razor

Cotton (100%)Medium risk

Pills form but tend to break off more easily than synthetics

→ Fabric shaver or razor

LinenLow risk

Long, stiff fibres resist tangling. Minor pilling on lower-quality linen only

→ Fabric shaver

DenimLow risk

Tight weave prevents surface fibre migration in most conditions

→ Razor (careful)

NylonMedium risk

Smooth surface helps, but abrasion areas (inner thighs, underarms) pill

→ Fabric shaver

SilkLow risk

Long continuous filaments rarely pill; surface snags are more common than pill balls

→ Very careful fabric shaver — test first

Prevent Pilling

✓

Turn garments inside out before washing

Reduces surface-to-surface friction in the drum, which is the primary cause of pilling during laundry.

✓

Use a mesh laundry bag

Encloses the garment and limits abrasion with the drum and other clothes. Essential for wool, cashmere, and delicate knitwear.

✓

Use the delicate cycle

Less agitation = less friction. The delicate/gentle cycle significantly reduces the rate of pill formation.

✓

Wash similar fabrics together

Mixing rough fabrics (denim, towels) with delicates creates high-friction contact. Rough fabrics accelerate pilling on softer items.

✓

Air-dry flat instead of tumble drying

Tumble dryers cause significant friction. Air-drying (especially flat, for knitwear) removes a second high-friction event.

✓

Wash less frequently

Every wash cycle generates friction. For wool and cashmere, spot-clean and air out rather than washing after every wear.

FAQ

What causes pilling on clothes?

Pilling is caused by friction. Short or weak fibres break off and tangle with neighbouring fibres, forming pill balls on the surface. High-friction areas (underarms, inner thighs, collar, bag strap contact points) pill first. Synthetic fibres and wool are most prone because their fibres are strong enough to stay attached rather than breaking off.

Does a fabric shaver damage clothes?

Used correctly, no. The shaver cuts pill heads at the surface without damaging the base weave. The risk is on loosely knitted fabrics where the rotating blade can catch loops. Keep the fabric stretched flat and move slowly. Avoid using fabric shavers on silk or lace.

Can you remove pilling with a disposable razor?

Yes. A cheap disposable razor works effectively on cotton and polyester. Stretch the fabric flat and shave lightly in one direction. Avoid multi-blade cartridge razors as they are too aggressive. Do not use razors on wool or cashmere — use a pumice stone instead.

Why do polyester clothes pill so badly?

Polyester fibres are strong and resist breaking, so when they migrate to the surface through friction they stay there and tangle into tight pill balls. Natural fibres like cotton eventually break off, but polyester pills persist. Polyester blends (poly-cotton) are especially prone because the polyester component pills while the cotton holds the pills in place.

Got a stain to remove?

Use the stain picker →