How to Get Rid of Pilling on Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

Your clothes are covered in little fuzz balls. Maybe your favorite sweater is covered in pills, or your leggings look old and worn. Those little balls are called pilling, and they make clothes look worn before their time. Here’s how to get rid of pilling on clothes without damage.

Pilling is the formation of small fuzz balls on fabric surfaces caused by friction. Short fibers tangle and form pills during wear and washing. Pilling is common on synthetic blends, fleece, and knitted fabrics. Removing pills requires cutting or shaving the fuzz balls without damaging the fabric underneath.

To get rid of pilling on clothes, use a fabric shaver for most fabrics, a sweater comb for delicate knits, or a disposable razor for sturdy fabrics. Wash clothes inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle to prevent more pilling. Don’t pull pills off by hand, don’t use scissors, and don’t wash pill-prone fabrics with rough items.

What Works

Use a Fabric Shaver

A fabric shaver is the best tool for removing pilling. It has a rotating blade that cuts pills without damaging the fabric. Run it over the fabric in circular motions. Empty the lint collector regularly.

Use a Sweater Comb

A sweater comb is a gentle tool for delicate knits like cashmere and wool. Comb in one direction to remove pills.

Use a Disposable Razor

For sturdy fabrics like fleece and cotton, use a clean disposable razor. Shave in one direction with light pressure. Don’t press hard.

Use a Pumice Stone

A pumice stone can remove pills from sturdy fabrics. Rub gently in one direction.

Use Velcro

Hook side of Velcro can catch and remove pills. Press gently and pull.

Wash Inside Out

Wash pill-prone clothes inside out to reduce friction on the outer surface.

Use Cold Water

Cold water reduces friction and prevents pilling. Hot water increases friction.

Use a Gentle Cycle

A gentle or delicate cycle reduces agitation, which reduces pilling.

Use Tide Free and Gentle

Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per regular load. Gentle detergent reduces fiber damage.

Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Vinegar softens fibers and reduces friction.

Air Dry

Air drying is gentler than machine drying and reduces pilling. If you use the dryer, use low heat.

Don’t Wash with Rough Items

Don’t wash pill-prone fabrics with jeans, towels, or items with zippers and Velcro. These cause friction and pilling.

Use the Right Products

For stains: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

For odors: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

For ink: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

For machine care: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

How to Prevent Pilling

Wash Inside Out

Turning clothes inside out reduces friction on the outer surface.

Use Cold Water and Gentle Cycle

Cold water and gentle agitation reduce friction and pilling.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Overloading increases friction between clothes. Fill no more than 3/4 full.

Don’t Wash with Rough Items

Wash pill-prone fabrics separately from jeans, towels, and items with zippers.

Use a Laundry Bag

Use a mesh laundry bag for pill-prone items to reduce friction.

Air Dry or Use Low Heat

Air drying is gentlest. If you use the dryer, use low heat and remove promptly.

Choose Quality Fabrics

Higher quality fabrics with longer fibers pill less. Look for tight weaves and high thread counts.

What to Avoid

Don’t pull pills off by hand. Pulling can damage the fabric underneath. Use a fabric shaver or comb.

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

Don’t wash pill-prone fabrics with rough items. Jeans, towels, and zippers cause friction and pilling.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water increases friction and pilling. Use cold water.

Don’t use the heavy duty cycle. Heavy agitation causes pilling. Use gentle.

Don’t use fabric softener. It can coat fibers and increase pilling on some fabrics. Use vinegar.

Don’t use high heat in the dryer. High heat causes friction and pilling. Use low heat or air dry.

FAQ

How do you get rid of pilling on clothes? Use a fabric shaver for most fabrics, a sweater comb for delicate knits, or a disposable razor for sturdy fabrics. Run the tool over the fabric in one direction with light pressure.

What causes pilling on clothes? Friction during wear and washing causes short fibers to tangle and form pills. Pilling is common on synthetic blends, fleece, and knitted fabrics.

Can you prevent pilling on clothes? Yes. Wash inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, don’t wash with rough items, use a laundry bag, air dry or use low heat, and choose quality fabrics.

Does a fabric shaver damage clothes? No, if used correctly. Run it over the fabric in circular motions with light pressure. Don’t press hard.

Can you use a razor to remove pilling? Yes, for sturdy fabrics like fleece and cotton. Use a clean disposable razor and shave in one direction with light pressure. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

References

1. Tide. “How to Prevent Pilling.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Pilling Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Fabric Care Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Consumer Reports. “Laundry Guide.” consumerreports.org.