How to Remove Pilling From Sweaters and Shawls in Pakistan: 4 Safe Methods and 5 Habits That Stop It

To remove pilling (the small fuzz balls) from a sweater or shawl, lay it flat and shave the balls off gently with a fabric shaver, a sweater comb or a new disposable razor, always in one direction. Do it on a dry garment. To stop new pills, wash inside out on a gentle cycle and dry flat in the shade. Pills come from rubbing during wear, so they cannot be avoided completely, but they can be removed and slowed down.

Pilling shows up first on the elbows, under the arms, on the sides and on the front where a bag strap or desk rubs. Woolmark, the wool industry's own body, lists those same spots and says rubbing during wear is the cause. This guide gives four removal methods, the mistakes that damage a sweater, and the care habits that keep winter clothes smooth for longer.

If your sweater needs washing first, follow our wool and cashmere washing guide. Read the label using our care label symbols chart.

Why sweaters and shawls pill

Pilling happens when short fibres work loose from the yarn and tangle into small balls. Rubbing causes it: sitting at a desk, carrying a bag, or arms moving against the body. Soft, loosely knitted yarns and blends with polyester or acrylic pill most.

Woolmark notes that more activity and longer contact with rough surfaces raise the chance of pilling. That is why a school sweater pills on the forearms and an office cardigan on the elbows.

Pills on a pure wool sweater often reduce after the first few washes once the loose fibres are gone. Pills on acrylic tend to keep coming, because the strong fibres hold the balls in place.

Four ways to remove pills safely

A battery fabric shaver is the quickest and safest for most sweaters. A sweater comb works well on wool. A disposable razor is a cheap option for flat knits. Picking by hand suits a few pills on a fine shawl. Always work on a dry garment laid flat on a table.

1. Fabric shaver (de-piller). Lay the sweater flat on a table. Stretch a small area gently with one hand. Move the shaver in small circles with light pressure. Empty the lint box often. Woolmark calls these devices low cost and very effective.
2. Sweater comb or stone. Brush in short strokes in one direction, very gently, as Woolmark advises for combs. Good for wool and cashmere, slower on large areas.
3. New disposable razor. Hold the fabric taut and glide the razor lightly over the surface, the same way as the knit runs. Use a fresh blade and never press. Skip this on very loose or fluffy knits.
4. By hand. Pull pills off one at a time between finger and thumb. Woolmark says small amounts can be removed by hand, ideally after drying or just before ironing.

A strip of packing tape or a lint roller lifts loose fuzz after shaving. It will not lift pills that are still attached, so use it as the last step.

Mistakes that damage a sweater

Pressing too hard, shaving a wet garment, shaving over seams and buttons, and using a blunt blade cause holes. Work slowly, test on an inside seam first, and stop when the surface looks even rather than trying to remove every last fibre.

• Too much pressure: a shaver can cut the yarn and leave a thin patch.
• Wet fabric: wet fibres stretch and are easier to cut. Wait until fully dry.
• Seams, ribs and embroidery: go around them, because the blade can catch the thread.
• Blunt razors: they pull fibres out instead of cutting the pill, which makes more fuzz.
• Scissors on many pills: fine for one large pill, too slow and risky for a whole sweater.

Care habits that slow pilling

Wash less, wash inside out, use the gentle or wool cycle with cold water, never tumble dry, and dry flat in the shade. Each of these cuts down rubbing, and rubbing is what makes pills. Rest a sweater for a day between wears.

Woolmark also says wool needs washing less often than other fibres because it resists odours and creases. Airing a sweater overnight is often enough. If your winter clothes smell after months in storage, our stored clothes smell fix covers that.

Shawls, hoodies and kids' school sweaters

Shawls need the gentlest touch: pick pills by hand or use a comb, never a razor on a fine pashmina. Hoodies and cotton fleece suit a fabric shaver. Kids' acrylic school sweaters pill fastest, so shave them every few weeks on a low setting.

A real pashmina is very fine, so test any tool on a corner first. If you are not sure your shawl is real, our pashmina check guide explains six tests. For school sweaters, wash them inside out with other knits, not with school trousers or bags, which rub the surface.

Common questions

How do I remove pilling from a sweater at home?

Lay the dry sweater flat and use a fabric shaver, a sweater comb or a new disposable razor with light strokes in one direction. Finish with a lint roller.

Does pilling mean my sweater is poor quality?

Not always. Woolmark says nobody can guarantee pilling will not occur. Soft wool and cashmere pill too. Constant heavy pilling is common on acrylic.

Can I use a razor on a woollen shawl?

Avoid it on fine shawls such as pashmina. Pick pills by hand or use a soft comb instead. A razor can cut the fine yarn.

Will pilling come back after I remove it?

Yes, if the garment keeps rubbing in the same places. On pure wool it often reduces after the loose fibres are gone. On acrylic it keeps returning.

Does washing inside out really help?

Yes. It keeps the outer face from rubbing against other clothes in the drum, and rubbing is the cause of pills.