How to Get Rid of Pilling on Clothes Quickly and Safely

Even the most thoughtfully cared-for wardrobe pieces can begin to show signs of wear over time. Soft sweaters develop fuzz along the sleeves, leggings collect tiny fiber balls at the thighs, and well-loved tees lose their smooth finish. Pilling is one of the most common forms of everyday fabric wear, but it does not have to shorten the life of your clothes.

With the right tools and a gentle approach, you can restore your garments and help prevent that fuzz from forming in the first place.

What Is Pilling—and What Causes It?

Pilling occurs when loose fibers on a fabric's surface rub together, twist, and form tiny, rounded clusters. These small balls cling to the fabric rather than shedding, making garments appear textured in areas where friction is constant.

Everyday movement encourages pilling—the swing of a handbag against your side, the natural brushing of arms along a sweater, even sitting and standing. Laundry is another major contributor, as garments tumble, twist, and rub against one another during cleaning. Heat, abrasion, and detergent residue can additionally make fibers more prone to breaking free and tangling.

Fortunately, pilling is almost always a surface issue. With proper care, garments can be smoothed and refreshed many times over their lifespan.

The Fabrics Most Prone (and Resistant) to Pilling

Some fabrics naturally pill more than others, depending on their fiber length, softness, and construction.

Soft knits like wool, cashmere, cotton, and acrylic are more likely to pill because their cozy, fluffy fibers are so loose and plush. Blended fabrics can pill, too, since some fibers break more easily than others. Fleece and other brushed materials, like those used in sweatshirts, are also prone to pilling since their fuzzy surfaces tend to shed. 

Almost any fabric can pill under the right circumstances, but some are more resistant to it than others. Silk and linen are not especially prone to heavy pilling. Tightly woven fabrics, such as denim, usually remain smooth because fewer fibers protrude from the surface. Fabrics made with longer or more tightly spun fibers, like 100 percent Egyptian cotton, hold together better and resist wear. Some smooth synthetics, like nylon or microfiber, tend to stay relatively pill-free because their surfaces are smooth and durable.

Knowing which fabrics are most prone to pilling can help you tailor your care routine and occasionally adjust your wardrobe choices.

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Three Tried-and-True Methods for Removing Fabric Pills

A little bit of pilling is inevitable, but proper care can keep it minimal. It all comes down to reducing friction: Turn clothes inside out before washing, choose gentle cycles and mesh laundry bags, sort laundry by texture and weight, use mild detergent with minimal softener to prevent buildup, and air-dry when possible or use low-heat. Also, be mindful of purse straps, seat belts, and armrests that can repeatedly rub against the same area of a garment. 

When pills do occur, try one of three simple methods below.

Fabric Shaver 

For most knitwear, a fabric shaver offers the smoothest, quickest results. These handheld tools use gentle blades behind a protective screen to trim pills from the surface without harming the base fabric on sweaters, leggings, tees, fleece, and cotton knits.

Lay the garment flat, hold the fabric taut, and glide the shaver slowly with light pressure. Empty the chamber frequently to keep the tool cutting cleanly.

Sweater Comb or Pumice Stone 

When working with delicate or premium knits, a sweater comb or sweater stone provides greater control. They manually lift and collect pills without disturbing the surrounding fibers too aggressively.

As with the fabric shaver, lay the sweater flat, hold it taut, and use gentle strokes in one direction. Gather and remove collected pills as they appear. This method is particularly effective on sleeves, cuffs, hems, and underarm areas.

Lint Roller or Tape 

For garments that have just started to pill, a bit of wide tape or a lint roller can lift loose fibers before they clump into larger pills. Press a piece of tape or a lint roller firmly onto the surface and lift it repeatedly until the fuzz is removed. This is a simple, low-risk way to maintain tailored garments, coats, dress pants, and lightweight knits.