How to remove pilling from clothes and stop it returning
Short answer: Here is how to remove pilling from clothes: lay the garment flat and use a fabric shaver or a fine comb with a light hand, so you take only the pills and not the fabric. Then wash inside out with a mild detergent so they do not come back.
How to remove pilling from clothes step by step
Many people search for how to remove pilling from clothes when a favourite jumper is suddenly covered in tiny balls. Pills are loose fibres that have tangled together through rubbing, and they can be removed without ruining the garment. All it takes is the right tool, a little patience and a light hand.
Why pilling happens
Pilling happens when short fibres in the fabric work loose through rubbing and tangle into balls on the surface. It is most common under the arms, along the sides and where a bag or seat belt rubs. New and soft fabrics can pill at first because loose fibres escape, and that is not necessarily a sign of poor quality.
Tools that work
An electric fabric shaver with a round blade is the first choice for many people, and a pilling comb or a clothes stone can also do the job. Use a tool made for textiles on items such as bamboo hoodies for women, and avoid razors, which easily cut holes. Read the instructions before you start.
How to do it in practice
Lay the garment flat on a table and stretch the fabric with one hand so the surface is taut. Move the tool lightly over the pills in short, calm strokes without pressing. Work one area at a time, check as you go, and stop if the fabric starts to thin, so you do not wear a hole.
What you should not do
Do not pick the pills off with your fingers, because that can pull at the yarn and make loops. Do not cut into the fabric with scissors either, unless you are very careful, since it is easy to cut too deep. Take care at seams and edges too, where the fabric is thinner and more fragile.
How to keep them away
Wash clothes inside out with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle, and do not overfill the machine, so that nothing rubs. Keep them away from rough items such as jeans and zips, and choose a low tumble dryer setting or hang them up. Softener does not always mean fewer pills either.
Everyday care
Everyday rubbing also gives pills, so choose your bag with care and avoid letting straps rest hard on the same jumper. A bamboo jogging suit for women washed with soft items pills less than one washed with rough ones. Rotate between several jumpers so they get rest and wear more slowly.
When pills are part of the fabric
Even with good care some fabrics will pill a little again, and then you simply remove them when they appear. If the fabric looks thin or gets a hole, it is time to think about a new one. A women's long-sleeved bamboo T-shirt under the jumper can take some of the strain.
Frequently asked questions
How often can I remove pills?
As often as needed, but with a light hand; each time you take a little fabric with you, so remove only visible pills and check after every stroke.
Can I use a razor?
It is not recommended, since it is easy to cut holes; use a fabric shaver or pilling comb instead, as they are made for textiles.
Does washing inside out help?
Yes, it reduces rubbing on the surface, so fewer pills form; use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent.
