How to Remove Lint Balls from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You have lint balls on your clothes and want to remove them. Maybe your favorite sweater is covered in pills, your leggings have fuzz balls, or your shirt looks worn out. Lint balls (also called pills) are small balls of tangled fibers that form on the surface of fabric. Here’s how to remove lint balls from clothes without damaging the fabric.

Lint balls (pills) are small balls of tangled fibers that form on the surface of fabric due to friction, washing, and wearing. They form when loose fibers tangle together and ball up on the surface. Pilling is common on synthetic fabrics, blends, and fleece. The key to removing lint balls is using a gentle method that cuts or lifts the pills without damaging the underlying fabric.

To remove lint balls from clothes, use a fabric shaver, a disposable razor, a pumice stone, or tape. For prevention, wash clothes inside out, use the gentle cycle, add vinegar to the rinse, and air dry. Don’t pull pills off by hand, don’t use scissors, and don’t use high heat in the dryer.

Methods to Remove Lint Balls

1. Fabric Shaver

A fabric shaver is a battery-operated device with a rotating blade that cuts pills from the surface. It’s the safest and most effective method.

How to use: Lay the garment flat on a table. Turn on the fabric shaver and move it in circular motions over the pilled areas. Empty the lint collector regularly.

Best for: Sweaters, fleece, cotton, polyester, blends.

2. Disposable Razor

A disposable razor can remove pills by gently shaving the surface.

How to use: Lay the garment flat on a table. Pull the fabric taut. Gently shave the surface with a disposable razor in one direction. Don’t press hard. Remove the collected pills from the razor regularly.

Best for: Sweaters, fleece, cotton.

Caution: Don’t use on delicate fabrics like silk or lace. Don’t press hard, which can cut the fabric.

3. Pumice Stone

A pumice stone can remove pills by gently rubbing the surface.

How to use: Lay the garment flat. Gently rub the pumice stone over the pilled areas in one direction. The stone catches and lifts the pills.

Best for: Sweaters, wool, fleece.

Caution: Don’t rub hard, which can damage the fabric.

4. Velcro Hair Curlers

A Velcro hair curler can catch and remove pills.

How to use: Roll a Velcro hair curler over the pilled areas. The Velcro catches the pills and lifts them.

Best for: Sweaters, fleece, cotton.

5. Tape or Lint Roller

Tape or a lint roller can remove loose pills and fuzz.

How to use: Press tape (sticky side down) or a lint roller on the pilled areas. Peel off to remove the pills.

Best for: Light pilling, loose fuzz.

6. Sweater Comb

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

How to use: Lay the garment flat. Gently comb the surface in one direction. The comb catches and lifts the pills.

Best for: Sweaters, wool, cashmere.

7. Sweater Stone

A sweater stone is a natural stone designed to remove pills from sweaters.

How to use: Lay the garment flat. Gently rub the sweater stone over the pilled areas in one direction.

Best for: Sweaters, wool, fleece.

Step-by-Step: Removing Lint Balls

Step 1: Lay the Garment Flat

Lay the garment flat on a clean, hard surface. Pull the fabric taut to make the pills stand up.

Step 2: Choose the Right Method

Choose the right method based on the fabric type:

• Fabric shaver: Most fabrics
• Razor: Sturdy fabrics (cotton, fleece)
• Pumice stone: Sweaters, wool
• Tape: Light pilling
• Sweater comb: Wool, cashmere

Step 3: Remove the Pills

Gently remove the pills using your chosen method. Work in one direction. Don’t press hard.

Step 4: Remove Loose Fibers

Use a lint roller or tape to remove loose fibers after removing the pills.

Step 5: Wash the Garment

Wash the garment with Tide Free and Gentle to remove any remaining fibers.

Step 6: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Vinegar helps prevent future pilling by removing detergent residue.

Step 7: Dry Appropriately

Air dry the garment or use the dryer on a low heat setting. Don’t use high heat, which can cause more pilling.

How to Prevent Lint Balls

Wash Clothes Inside Out

Wash clothes inside out to reduce friction on the surface. This is the most effective way to prevent pilling.

Use the Gentle Cycle

Use the gentle or delicate cycle to reduce friction and agitation.

Use Cold Water

Use cold water to reduce fiber damage and pilling.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Overloading increases friction between clothes, which causes pilling. Load loosely.

Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Vinegar removes detergent residue that can contribute to pilling.

Don’t Use Fabric Softener

Fabric softener can coat fibers and contribute to pilling. Use white vinegar instead.

Air Dry or Use Low Heat

Air dry clothes or use the dryer on low heat. High heat damages fibers and causes pilling.

Don’t Wash with Rough Fabrics

Don’t wash soft fabrics (sweaters, fleece) with rough fabrics (towels, jeans), which cause friction and pilling.

Use the Right Detergent

Use Tide Free and Gentle, which is gentle on fibers and helps prevent pilling.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Clean the washer monthly with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to remove lint and residue.

Additional Products for Laundry Care

Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for stains.

Use Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for grease.

Use Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam for food stains.

Use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover for ink.

Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for disinfecting.

Use Arm and Hammer Baking Soda for deodorizing.

What Not to Do

Don’t pull pills off by hand. Pulling pills can damage the underlying fabric. Use a fabric shaver or razor instead.

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

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

Don’t press hard with a razor. Pressing hard can cut the fabric. Gently shave the surface.

Don’t use a razor on delicate fabrics. Razors can damage silk, lace, and fine knits. Use a sweater comb instead.

Don’t wash soft fabrics with rough fabrics. Rough fabrics cause friction and pilling. Wash separately.

FAQ

How do you remove lint balls from clothes? Use a fabric shaver, disposable razor, pumice stone, sweater comb, or tape. Lay the garment flat, pull the fabric taut, and gently remove the pills in one direction.

What causes lint balls on clothes? Lint balls (pills) are caused by friction from wearing and washing, loose fibers tangling together, and rough fabrics rubbing against soft fabrics. Pilling is common on synthetic fabrics, blends, and fleece.

How do you prevent lint balls on clothes? Wash clothes inside out, use the gentle cycle, use cold water, don’t overload, add vinegar to the rinse, don’t use fabric softener, air dry or use low heat, and don’t wash soft fabrics with rough fabrics.

Can you use a razor to remove lint balls? Yes. Gently shave the surface with a disposable razor in one direction. Don’t press hard. Don’t use on delicate fabrics like silk or lace.

Does washing inside out prevent pilling? Yes. Washing clothes inside out reduces friction on the surface, which is the most effective way to prevent pilling.

References

1. Tide. “Fabric Care Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Lint Balls from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Pilling Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Whirlpool. “Fabric Care Guide.” whirlpool.com.