How to Remove Pilling from Fabric and Prevent it From Happening

Follow these tips for getting rid of fabric pills so you can keep wearing your favorite sweaters.

Updated on November 28, 2023

What Causes Fabric Pilling?

Depending on if it's clothing, furniture, or bedding, as fabric is worn or sat on, its fibers begin to loosen and clump together to form pills. Some fabrics pill more than others, though this doesn't necessarily mean that those that pill more are of lower quality. Synthetic fabrics and garments made from a blend of multiple fibers are more likely to pill, as are those made with a looser weave.

You might also notice that the pills on your sofa or sweaters are slightly darker than the original fabric color. This is caused by dirt and dust getting into the pills and darkening them.

How to Prevent Fabric Pilling

Although much of fabric pilling is the natural result of everyday use and abrasion, there are steps you can take to lessen and, in some cases, even prevent it.

When it comes to clothing, start with how you do laundry. The best option is hand-washing. However, that's not always feasible for everything in those heaping laundry piles, so hand-wash delicate items or those made from fabric likely to pill. Although it might be tempting to throw shirts, sweaters, and jeans in the same load, sorting your laundry is critical, as more abrasive materials can cause damage and pilling on softer garments.

When using your washer, set it to a gentle cycle and turn items inside out before throwing them in to minimize surface contact. Put extra-delicate pieces in mesh laundry bags for added protection.

Despite the majority of clothing being dryer-safe, heat and garments coming into contact with one another for an extended amount of time can cause pilling. Hanging laundry to dry is a good way to prevent pills. If you do use the dryer, make sure the loads aren't oversized, dry like items together, and pull out those that are more likely to pill as soon as they are dry.

As for pilling on upholstered furniture, there really is no way to prevent it since regular use naturally leads to fabric pilling. There are, however, simple and inexpensive ways to remove the pills and restore your sofa or armchair to their pill-free condition.

How to Remove Pilling

If you're unsure how to remove pilling, the best and easiest way is to use an electric fabric shaver specifically designed for this task. Many versions are available at retailers and online, some for less than $20. The best fabric shavers have multiple speeds intended for different types of fabric and a compartment to hold the shaved pills for easy, mess-free disposal. Gently use the shaver in a circular motion over the pilled areas. Press gently so as not to damage the fabric.

Another way to remove pilling is by using a disposable razor without any liquid. If you're de-pilling a cardigan, for example, place it on a flat surface and hold the area you're working on. Pull it taut with one hand and use the razor with the other. Be careful not to cut or snag the fabric. Once you're done removing pills from clothing, use a lint roller to pick up all the shaved fuzzballs.

Use a pumice stone for a less common but very affordable and effective method of how to remove pilling. Softly glide the pumice stone over the pilled surface and repeat until the fabric becomes smooth, then pick up the pills with a lint roller.

If you use one of these tools to de-pill fabric, make sure that you don't do it too frequently. Wait until there are enough pills to complete a large area. While these tools don't damage the fabric, they can begin to weaken it over time if used too often.