How to Get Lint Balls Off Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

Your clothes are covered in lint balls. Those little fuzzy balls on the surface of your shirts, sweaters, and pants make clothes look old and worn. Lint balls (also called pills) are caused by friction and loose fibers tangling together. But they can be removed without damaging the fabric. Here’s how to get lint balls off clothes.

Lint balls (pilling) are small balls of tangled fibers that form on the surface of fabric due to friction and wear. Pilling happens when loose fibers break and tangle together on the fabric surface. It’s common on synthetic fabrics, blends, and areas that get a lot of friction (underarms, sides, where a bag rubs).

To get lint balls off clothes, use a fabric shaver for best results, a disposable razor for a quick fix, or a lint roller for loose balls. Wash clothes inside out to prevent pilling. Don’t pull pills off by hand, don’t use scissors, and don’t use too much pressure with a razor.

Methods for Removing Lint Balls

Method 1: Fabric Shaver (Best for Most Clothes)

A fabric shaver is a battery-operated device that safely removes pills from the surface of fabric.

Step 1: Lay the garment flat on a clean surface.

Step 2: Turn on the fabric shaver and move it in circular motions over the pilled areas.

Step 3: Empty the lint container when full.

Step 4: Wash with Tide Free and Gentle to remove any remaining loose fibers.

Pros: Safe, fast, effective on most fabrics. Cons: Costs money, needs batteries.

Method 2: Disposable Razor (Best for Sweaters)

A disposable razor can remove pills from sweaters and thick fabrics.

Step 1: Lay the garment flat on a clean surface and pull it taut.

Step 2: Gently shave the surface with a disposable razor using light pressure.

Step 3: Shave in one direction, not back and forth.

Step 4: Remove the collected pills with a lint roller or tape.

Pros: Cheap, effective on thick fabrics. Cons: Risk of cutting fabric if too much pressure is applied.

Method 3: Lint Roller or Tape (Best for Loose Balls)

A lint roller or packing tape can remove loose pills.

Step 1: Roll a lint roller over the surface of the garment.

Step 2: Or press packing tape sticky-side down on the pilled areas and peel off.

Step 3: Repeat until all loose pills are removed.

Pros: Cheap, easy, no risk of damage. Cons: Only removes loose pills, not attached ones.

Method 4: Sweater Comb (Best for Delicate Fabrics)

A sweater comb is a small comb designed to remove pills from delicate fabrics.

Step 1: Lay the garment flat on a clean surface.

Step 2: Gently comb the surface in one direction.

Step 3: Remove collected pills from the comb.

Pros: Gentle, safe for delicate fabrics. Cons: Slower than a fabric shaver.

Method 5: Pumice Stone (Best for Thick Sweaters)

A pumice stone can remove pills from thick sweaters.

Step 1: Lay the garment flat.

Step 2: Gently rub the pumice stone over the pilled areas in one direction.

Step 3: Remove collected pills with a lint roller.

Pros: Cheap, effective on thick fabrics. Cons: Can damage thin or delicate fabrics.

How to Prevent Lint Balls

Wash Clothes Inside Out

Washing clothes inside out reduces friction on the outer surface, which prevents pilling.

Use a Gentle Cycle

A gentle cycle reduces friction and agitation, which prevents pilling.

Use Cold Water

Cold water is gentler on fabric than hot water and reduces fiber breakage.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Overloading increases friction between clothes, which causes pilling.

Use the Right Detergent

Tide Free and Gentle is gentle on fabric and doesn’t leave residue that can contribute to pilling.

Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse to soften clothes and reduce friction.

Air Dry Instead of Using the Dryer

Air drying is gentler on fabric than machine drying. If you use the dryer, use a low heat setting.

Add Baking Soda

Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash to soften clothes and reduce friction.

Use Lysol for Odor Control

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for heavily soiled loads to kill bacteria.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly to keep the machine clean.

What Not to Do

Don’t pull pills off by hand. Pulling pills can damage the fabric and leave loose threads.

Don’t use scissors. Scissors can easily cut the fabric. Use a fabric shaver or razor instead.

Don’t use too much pressure with a razor. Too much pressure can cut the fabric. Use light pressure.

Don’t wash clothes with rough fabrics. Washing soft fabrics with rough fabrics (like towels or jeans) increases friction and pilling.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water weakens fibers and increases pilling. Use cold or warm water.

Don’t use the dryer on high heat. High heat weakens fibers and increases pilling. Use low heat or air dry.

FAQ

How do you get lint balls off clothes? Use a fabric shaver for best results, a disposable razor for sweaters, or a lint roller for loose balls. Wash clothes inside out to prevent pilling. Don’t pull pills off by hand or use scissors.

What causes lint balls on clothes? Friction and wear cause loose fibers to break and tangle together on the fabric surface, forming pills. It’s common on synthetic fabrics, blends, and areas that get a lot of friction like underarms and sides.

Does a fabric shaver damage clothes? No, a fabric shaver is designed to safely remove pills without damaging the fabric. Use it on a flat surface and move in circular motions. Don’t press too hard.

Can you use a razor to remove lint balls? Yes. Gently shave the surface with a disposable razor using light pressure. Pull the fabric taut and shave in one direction. Don’t use too much pressure or you may cut the fabric.

How do you prevent lint balls on clothes? Wash clothes inside out, use a gentle cycle, use cold water, don’t overload the washer, use Tide Free and Gentle, add vinegar to the rinse, air dry instead of using the dryer, and don’t wash soft fabrics with rough fabrics.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Pills from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Pilling Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Lint Ball Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Consumer Reports. “Fabric Care Guide.” consumerreports.org.