Can you get bobbles off a sweatshirt
Short answer: Yes, bobbles can be removed with a fabric shaver, a lint comb or, carefully, a razor. The jumper looks neater afterwards, but every bobble you remove takes a little fibre with it, so prevention is best.
What bobbles are
Bobbles, also called pills, are tiny balls of fibre that form when short fibre ends work their way out of the yarn and twist together through friction. They appear mostly where clothing rubs the most, such as under the arms, at the cuffs and on the sides where bags and armrests touch. Sweatshirts are prone to them because their fabric is often soft and loosely spun. Bobbling is not on its own a sign of poor quality but of wear, and almost any knit can bobble.
How to remove them
The gentlest method is an electric fabric shaver, which cuts the bobbles off without pulling on the yarn. Lay the jumper flat on a table, stretch the fabric slightly and move the shaver in small circles without pressing hard. A lint comb or a clean disposable razor also works, but with a light hand. Tape or a lint roller removes loose fluff but not bobbles that are firmly attached. Never pull bobbles off with your fingers, because that drags out new fibres.
Prevent them in the wash
Many bobbles form in the washing machine. Turn the sweatshirt inside out, wash at a low temperature on a gentle cycle and do not overfill the drum. Avoid washing it with towels, jeans and clothing with zips or hook and loop fastening, which rub hard. Do not use the tumble dryer unless the label allows it, since tumbling adds extra friction. The same applies to thinner garments such as a bamboo long sleeve T-shirt for men.
Prevent them in daily life
The wash is not the only source of wear. A shoulder bag, a rucksack and a rough seat belt rub the same spots every day. Rotate between several jumpers so the same one is not worn day after day, and let each one rest for a day between wears. Smooth fabrics and tightly spun yarn generally pill less than loose, airy yarn. Many brands, including Turiform, make basics where the type of fabric affects how much they bobble.
Fluff from other textiles
Sometimes what looks like bobbling is really fluff from other textiles. New towels are a classic source, as terry cloth sheds many loose fibres in its first washes. If you wash a sweatshirt together with bamboo towels or other new towels, the fluff can lodge in the surface of the jumper. Wash towels separately, at least the first few times.
When it is no longer worth it
If the jumper has become very thin where the bobbles were, repeated removal can eventually make holes. At that point it is better to keep it as a lounging jumper or use it for the garden and odd jobs. If it has only a few bobbles, removing them is quick work, and it can look almost new afterwards. Do it at regular intervals, before the bobbles get large and matted.
Frequently asked questions
Does removing bobbles make them worse
No, but every bobble removed takes a little fibre with it. Be gentle and do not do it more often than needed.
Does washing inside out help
Yes. The inner side wears instead of the outer side, so fewer visible bobbles form.
Can you remove bobbles with a razor
Yes, with a clean razor and a very light touch on stretched fabric. An electric fabric shaver is gentler, though.
See our range of men's bamboo sweatshirt.
