How to Remove Pilling From Clothes Without Ruining Them

To remove pilling from clothes, lay the garment flat, keep the fabric taut, and take the pills off with a tool that suits the fabric: a fabric shaver for sturdy knits and woven fabrics, a sweater stone or comb for delicate fibers like cashmere, or a soft toothbrush for fuzzy knits and fleece. Use light pressure, test a hidden spot first, and change your wash and dry habits so the pills do not return.

This guide covers why pills form, which tool to pick, how to use each one step by step, what to do with polyester, and how to keep a favorite sweater looking new.

TL;DR

• Pills are tangled loose fibers, so removing them is safe when you work gently on a flat, taut surface.

• Match the tool to the fabric: shavers for sturdy knits and tightly woven fabrics, stones or combs for delicate knits, a soft toothbrush for fleece.

• A new disposable razor works in a pinch, but it is the tool most likely to cut the garment.

• Prevent repeat pilling: do not overload the washer, wash on gentle, skip fabric conditioner on knitwear, and dry flat.

• Pilling usually slows down after the first few washes, and removing pills is not a sign the garment is poorly made.

Table of Contents

• Why Clothes Pill in the First Place
• Choose the Right Tool for the Fabric
• How to Remove Pilling Step by Step
• How to Remove Pilling From Sweaters
• Removing Fuzz and Pills From Polyester
• What to Do With Wool Coats
• Stop Pills From Coming Back
• Our Perspective on Pilling
• Shop Pieces Built for Everyday Wear
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• FAQ
• Sources

Why Clothes Pill in the First Place

Pills are small balls of fiber that form on the surface of a fabric. Short or loose fibers work their way out of the yarn, and friction rolls them into tight little knots. Friction comes from everyday wear: a bag strap on a shoulder, the inside of your arms against a sweater, a seat belt, or other clothes rubbing together in the washer and dryer.

Two details help you plan your fix:

• The pills were going to come off anyway. They are made of fibers that were already loose, so removing them neatly leaves a smoother surface rather than weakening the garment. Most garments also pill less after the first few rounds, because the surplus short fibers have gone.

• Fiber type changes how pills behave. In natural fibers, the weak anchoring fibers tend to break and the pills fall off. In synthetics such as polyester, the fibers are strong, so pills often cling to the surface until you cut them away. That is why a polyester-blend polo can look fuzzy sooner than you expect and stay that way.

Knits, soft loosely spun yarns, and blends of long and short fibers pill most readily, and the spots that rub the most (underarms, sides, cuffs, and the area under a bag strap) go first.

Choose the Right Tool for the Fabric

The most common mistake is using one tool on everything. Wirecutter’s guide to fabric shavers advises matching the tool to the fabric: manual sweater combs or pumice-based stones for delicate items like cashmere, and electric shavers or new disposable razors for sturdier fabrics like wool or polyester.

Fabric shaver or sweater stone?

Electric shavers use rotating blades to cut pills off, so they suit sturdy, dense knits and cover large areas quickly. Sweater stones use an abrasive surface to grab and lift pills, which gives more controlled, gentle abrasion for delicate, fine-fiber pieces. The guidance above is consistent with a local TV consumer test of pumice removers, which found battery-operated shavers tend to work better on non-knit, tightly woven fabrics, while pumice can leave a softer finish on cashmere and other knits with fine, soft hairs.

A simple rule: if you would hand wash it, reach for a stone or comb. If it is a thick sweater, a wool-blend coat, or a woven fabric, a shaver is fine.

How to Remove Pilling Step by Step

The steps share the same core: a flat surface, a taut fabric, and light pressure.

1. Check the care label and the fiber. Knowing whether the item is wool, cotton, polyester, or a blend decides your tool. If you are unsure what the symbols mean, our laundry symbols guide explains them in plain English.

2. Test a hidden spot. Try the tool on an inside seam or hem before you work on the visible area.

3. Lay the garment on a hard, flat surface. A table or ironing board works. Do not do this on your lap or over a bed. Wirecutter recommends a hard, flat surface, a taut fabric, and gentle pressure so the blades do not bite into the fabric.

4. Work one small section at a time. Stretch the fabric lightly with one hand and treat only that patch.

5. Finish with a lint roller. Pick up the loose bits so they do not settle back into the knit.

Using a fabric shaver

Turn it on and run it gently over the fabric in circular movements, keeping the fabric flat and taut, as Vogue’s guide to removing pilling describes. Let the weight of the tool do the work. Pressing harder will not clear pills faster, but it can pull fabric into the blade head. Empty the lint chamber often so it keeps cutting cleanly.

Do not make this a weekly habit. Wirecutter suggests using a shaver only when needed, typically once or twice a year, to protect the garment’s structure over the long run.

Using a sweater stone

Place the fabric flat and hold the pilled area taut. Rub the stone gently in one direction with short strokes, then rub across the fabric at a 90-degree angle, as Reader’s Digest explains. Shake out the dust, then lint-roll the area. Stones are slower than shavers, but they leave knitwear with a softer finish.

Using a soft toothbrush on fleece and fuzzy knits

For fuzzy knits and fleece, use a clean, dry soft toothbrush. Brush in one direction over the pilled section to loosen and sweep away the pills while keeping the fabric taut, a method Vogue also lists. It is the least risky option, so start here if you are nervous about a garment you love.

Using tape or a lint roller

Press sticky tape or a lint roller onto the area and pull it away. Maytag’s pilling guide lists this as the low-caution option for loose pills. It will not shift pills that are firmly anchored, but it is a good last pass after any other method.

Can you use a razor?

Yes, with care. Vogue notes that a disposable razor can be used gently, but it calls for extra caution and a taut fabric so you do not cut into the garment. Use a new, plain razor without moisture strips, glide it lightly with no downward pressure, and never use it on loose, open knits where a slip can make a hole. If a garment matters to you, a shaver or a stone is the safer choice.

How to Remove Pilling From Sweaters

Sweaters pill the most because knits have loose, lofty yarns that rub easily. Match your approach to the yarn:

• Cashmere, merino, and fine wool: use a sweater stone or comb with short, light strokes. Work in good light so you can see whether you are only lifting pills or thinning the knit.

• Thicker wool and wool blends: a shaver works if you keep it moving and the fabric taut.

• Cotton and cotton blends: a shaver or a very light razor pass handles most cases.

• Acrylic and polyester knits: a shaver usually works best, since the pills are tightly anchored.

If you are choosing a new knit and want fewer pills, read the label before you buy. Our guide to wool blend versus pure wool explains how the fiber mix affects feel, warmth, and wear. A fine merino piece like our men’s 100% merino wool pullover is a good example of a knit that deserves a gentle stone or comb rather than a blade.

Removing Fuzz and Pills From Polyester

Polyester is tricky because its fibers are strong. Pills do not fall off on their own, so they stay and collect. The good news is that the fabric is usually tough enough for a shaver.

1. Check the label for heat limits, then lay the garment flat.

2. Use an electric shaver in circular movements on a taut surface, working in small patches.

3. Lint-roll the area afterward.

4. Use a stone or toothbrush instead on thin, stretchy, or brushed polyester, such as fleece-backed fabrics.

Washing is half the fix. Heat and friction cause synthetic pills to form and cling, so wash inside out, use a gentle cycle, and avoid high heat in the dryer. We cover this in detail in our guide to washing polyester clothes without ruining them. If you are weighing fabrics for shirts and tees, the cotton versus polyester comparison shows how blends behave in wear.

What to Do With Wool Coats

A pilled wool coat needs more care than a tee. Wool can felt when it meets heat and agitation, so do not toss it in a hot wash to “fix” it. Remove pills dry, with a stone or a comb, along the sleeves, under the arms, and where a bag rubs. Then follow our advice on wool coat care at home. For a coat that needs a deeper clean, the soak method for vintage wool coats keeps the process short and gentle.

Stop Pills From Coming Back

Removal is a repair. Prevention is where you save the garment. Most of it comes down to reducing friction.

In the wash

• Do not overload the machine. Overloading makes clothes rub together excessively, Vogue notes.

• Use the gentle cycle or hand wash for clothes prone to lint balls, as The Spruce advises.

• Turn knits inside out and use a mesh laundry bag for anything delicate. Maytag also suggests a mesh bag and slower spin speeds.

• Try a detergent with cellulase. Maytag notes that these enzymes target weakened fibers that lead to pilling, though they will not clear pills already formed. Cellulase is meant for cotton and other plant fibers, so do not use it on wool or silk.

• Keep fabric conditioner away from knitwear. It coats and softens the surface, which makes the fibers more likely to work loose.

• Wash less often. Air out a sweater between wears. Every wash is friction.

The same habits apply to anything you wear hard, including costumes and party outfits. This washing guide for costumes shows how gentle handling protects fabric that rubs and gets heavy use.

In the dryer

Avoid the dryer where you can. The Spruce recommends line drying woven fabrics and drying knitted garments on a flat surface. Tumbling is pure friction, so even a low-heat cycle works against you on a knit.

When you wear and buy

• Rotate sweaters so one never takes all the wear.

• Carry a bag on a different shoulder now and then.

• Read the care label, especially on something new, as Consumer Reports advises.

• Choose tighter knits and smoother yarns when you want a piece that stays smooth. Fiber matters too; for a side-by-side on a different pair of fibers, see our linen versus cotton breakdown.

Our Perspective on Pilling

We sell sweaters, polos, coats, and jackets, so we hear the same worry from shoppers: “Did I buy something poorly made because it pilled?” Not necessarily. Almost every knit pills a little at first, because loose fibers surface and roll up. Pilling mostly tells you where the garment rubs, not how well it was sewn.

What we focus on is the comfort-and-quality balance in fabric selection. Wool blends, cotton blends, and polyester blends each trade something: warmth, softness, durability, and price. Pure natural fibers can feel luxurious but need gentle handling. Blends are often easier to live with, but synthetic content means pills hold on until you remove them. Neither is wrong. You just need to know which one you are wearing and care for it accordingly.

Our advice is simple. Read the label, wash on gentle, dry flat, and keep a stone or a shaver for the occasional touch-up. A garment you maintain will outlast one you replace every season.

— Joseph Kvarnstrom

Shop Pieces Built for Everyday Wear

If a favorite piece is past saving, or you simply want something new that fits your routine, browse our full collection of coats and jackets, polos, dresses, suits, shoes, and sweaters. For a knit with a clean, classic look, try the round neck striped sweater. If you want a warmer blend, the wool and mulberry silk half-zip sweater is worth a look. We offer a wide range of sizes for men, women, and kids, so you can find a fit that works for you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Pulling pills by hand. This can drag more loose fibers to the surface and stretch the knit.

• Pressing hard. Pressure is the leading reason shavers and razors cut holes.

• Working on a soft surface. A bed or sofa lets the fabric bunch into the blades.

• Using shavers constantly. Repeated shaving thins the fabric. Treat it as an occasional fix.

• Skipping the test spot. Fabrics vary, and a hidden hem will tell you what the tool does.

• Washing again before de-pilling. Remove the pills first, then wash gently, since a spin cycle only creates fresh ones from what remains.

FAQ

How do you depill clothes without a special tool?

A clean, dry soft toothbrush brushed in one direction works on fleece and fuzzy knits, and tape or a lint roller lifts loose pills. Keep the fabric taut and flat, and use light pressure.

Is a fabric shaver or a sweater stone better?

It depends on the fabric. A shaver is faster and suits sturdy, dense knits and woven fabrics, while a stone gives a gentler, softer finish on cashmere and other fine knits.

Can I use a razor to remove pilling?

Yes, a new disposable razor can work on sturdy fabrics if you keep the fabric taut and use almost no pressure. It carries the most risk of cutting the garment, so choose a shaver or stone for items you care about.

What fabrics pill the most?

Knits and loosely spun yarns pill most readily, and polyester pills hold on because the fibers are strong. High-friction spots like underarms, cuffs, and bag-strap areas pill first, whatever the fabric.

Will removing pills damage the garment?

Not if you do it gently. The pills are made of loose fibers that were going to come off anyway, but overuse of a shaver can thin the fabric, so use it only when needed.

Sources

• Read This Before You Take a Fabric Shaver to Your Favorite Sweater (Wirecutter)
• How to Remove Pilling From Clothes (Vogue)
• How to Depill Sweaters and Other Clothes (Reader’s Digest)
• Pumice fuzz and pill removers: Do they work? (KATU)
• How to Get Rid of Pilling From Your Clothes (The Spruce)
• A Rookie’s Guide to Doing Laundry (Consumer Reports)
• How to Prevent & Remove Fabric Pilling (Maytag)

Recommended

• Wool Coat Care at Home: Keep Heat and Agitation From Felting Wool
• Save Vintage Wool Coats: Clean Safely with a 10–15 Minute Soak
• How to Wash Polyester Clothes Without Ruining Them
• Laundry Symbols Meaning: A Plain-English Care Label Guide