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Home / How to Get Rid of Pilling on Sweater

How to Get Rid of Pilling on Sweater

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To get rid of pilling on your clothing, you can try household items, like a sandpaper sponge, a shaving razor, or a strip of Velcro. You can also use store-bought tools, such as a sweater comb, an electric sweater shaver, or a sweater stone. To prevent future pilling, wash garments inside out on a gentle cycle, then hang them or lay them flat to dry.

  1. 1

    Use a sandpaper sponge. If you scrub your clothing with this sponge, your pilling will be gone!

  2. 2

    Trim with scissors. Depending on the number and size of the pills, you may be able to trim them away with a pair of scissors. Lay the garment on a flat surface. Pull up individual pills trim away with your other hand. You may also put your hand inside the garment in order to pull it taut, and then gently trim away the pills.

    • Make sure to hold the scissors close to the fabric. Be gentle and slow, so you do not damage the fabric.
    • Small nail scissors are safer to use. They are duller and more precise, and are less likely to damage the fabric. [1]

  3. 3

    Use a shaving razor. Take a disposable razor and lay the garment on a flat surface. Pull the fabric near the affected area taut with one hand. This will prevent you from cutting through the garment. Gently shave upward with the razor in small strokes. [2] Start with the lightest contact possible and increase as necessary.

    • Once you have accumulated a pile of pillings, use tape to remove from the fabric. Wrap a large loop of packing tape around your closed fingers, sticky side out. [3] Press against the fabric to pick up the accumulated pillings. Replace tape when it becomes full of pills. If you do not have packing tape, small strips of masking tape will also work.
    • Make sure to use a sharp, new razor. This will most effectively remove the pills. Avoid using shaving razors that have moisture strips or soap bars on either side. This will likely cause more pilling when rubbed against the fabric.

  4. 4

    Use Velcro hair rollers. Hair rollers are very gentle, making them ideal for use on delicate fabrics like wool and cashmere. Lay the garment on a flat surface and pull it taut. Lay the roller flat on the affected area. Gently roll upwards and out until the area is pill-free. The pilling will get caught in the hair roller. Pick it up and move it to another area if the garment is pilled in several areas.

  5. 5

    Use a strip of Velcro. [4] If you have a piece of Velcro you can also use this to remove pillings. Consider using Velcro found on a shoe or wallet. Apply the Velcro hook-side down to the affected area of the garment. Gently pull up and repeat until the pilling is gone.

    • This method can damage very delicate fabrics, so do not use on cashmere or wool.

  1. 1

    Buy a sweater comb. A sweater comb is a small, fine toothed comb made specifically for removing pilling. It is different from a hair comb because the teeth are smaller and closer together. Pull the fabric taut and scrape the affected area gently. Be careful not to damage the fabric.

  2. 2

    Use an electric sweater shaver. An electric pill remover is more expensive than other tools, but the fastest, most effective method. Insert batteries and lay the garment on a flat surface. Apply to the garment in small, circular motions. Start with the lightest contact possible and increase as needed. Continue until the pills disappear. They will accumulate in the shaver's barrel, which you can empty as it fills up.

  3. 3

    Try a sweater stone. A sweater stone is made especially for removing sweater pills. To use, lay the garment on a flat surface and pull flat. Gently rub the stone against the affected area. Drag it across the fabric and pull off the extra pills as they accumulate, using tape or your fingers.

  1. 1

    Shop for fabrics that are less likely to pill. Fabrics made of fiber blends are more susceptible to pilling. Fiber blends combine natural and synthetic fibers, and they are more likely to rub together and form pills. This is especially true for fabrics with three or more different types of fibers. [5]

  2. 2

    Look for tightly knit sweaters. Check the fabric before you buy. Tightly knit fabrics are less likely to pill, whereas looser weaves or more susceptible to pilling [6]

  3. 3

    Turn your garment inside out. Turn the garment inside out before washing. This will prevent noticeable pilling as the fabric rubs against itself and other garments in the wash. You can also try storing the garment inside out by turning it inside out before hanging or folding it. [7]

  4. 4

    Wash gently. Use a delicate cycle when washing in the washing machine. Delicate cycles are shorter and gentler, causing less abrasion in the garments.

    • Consider hand washing garments like sweaters that are more likely to pill. This is the gentlest way of washing. Look for detergent made especially for handwashing and wash in a sink or bathtub. [8]

  5. 5

    Avoid the electric dryer. When possible, hang garment to dry rather than using the drying machine. This will cause less abrasion to the fabric and prevent pilling. [9]

  6. 6

    Use liquid detergent. Powder detergent rubs against the fabric as it dissolves. This makes it more likely to cause pilling during the washing cycle. Liquid detergents are the most gentle solution for delicate fabrics. [10]

  7. 7

    Brush with a lint roller regularly. Be sure to regularly brush delicate sweaters with a lint roller or lint brush to prevent pilling. Consistently using a lint roller will prevent pills from accumulating on the fabric. [11]

Add New Question

  • Question

    How do I keep my hoodie from pilling?

    Community Answer

    I bought a sweater shaver - runs on AC/DC - that has a container attached for the pills and lint that it removes. Now my older hoodies and sweaters look like new, and it cost less than $5.00.

  • Question

    How do I remove pilling off my sofa?

    Community Answer

    As long as the couch is fabric, try one of the methods below.

  • Question

    How can I remove pilling from a coat?

    Community Answer

    Use a lint roller. If you don't have one at the moment, you can make your own, by using a rolling pin or even just your hand and tape and make sure the sticky part is facing out.

  • Question

    I have a new black fleece jacket that is pilling heavily despite two washes and brushing. How can I prevent this?

    Community Answer

    Turn the jacket inside out while it is being washed. Use liquid detergent. Use the gentle cycle on your washing machine if you feel you cannot get your jacket clean by hand washing or spot cleaning.

  • Question

    Could I use an electric razor instead of a fabric shaver?

    Community Answer

    You could, but fabric shavers are made especially for fabric. A tool made for hair may damage your clothing.

  • Question

    What could I add to the washing machine to stop or reduce pilling?

    Community Answer

    A good fabric softener does wonders!

  • Question

    How do I remove pilling from my shirt?

    Community Answer

    Use a lint roller. If you don't have one at the moment, you can make your own. Use a rolling pin or even your hand and some tape, just make sure the sticky part is facing out. You could also just put the tape on the area, and pull it off. This will allow you to take off any pilling or lint.

  • Question

    Where would I buy a fabric shaver?

    Community Answer

    In addition to online sites like Amazon and eBay, you can find them at any Bed, Bath & Beyond store.

  • Question

    What are easy options to remove pillings from clothing?

    Community Answer

    I tried using a razor and it worked perfectly. You could also use a cashmere comb that is easy as well. Any of the ones listed above also work.

  • Question

    How can I safely remove pilling from a cashmere sweater?

    Community Answer

    Using a sweater brush or comb is your best bet. Or, use more professional remedies (like the brushes/combs/electric pill removers) to remove pilling from cashmere because it is so delicate, but in case you don't have these on hand, start by trying a lint roller.

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Article SummaryX

To remove pilling from clothes made from tough materials like cotton, lay the fabric flat and pull it taut, then use a new disposable razor to shave upwards in short strokes. Once you have a stack of pillings, pick it up with the sticky side of a loop of tape. You can also try snipping pillings off with a pair of small nail scissors. For more sensitive fabrics like wool and cashmere, roll a Velcro hair roller over the area. To learn more about how to prevent pilling from even happening on your clothes, keep reading the article!

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How to Get Rid of Pilling on Sweater

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Pilling-From-Clothing