How to Remove Pilling from a Sweater

What is pilling – and why does it happen?

Pills (also called bobbling or pilling) are small balls of tangled fibres on the surface of a knit. They form through friction: where a bag or backpack rubs the side, under the arms, on the cuffs, and where a jacket scrapes. Short fibres and loosely spun yarn pill more easily than long, tightly spun ones, and soft qualities like merino and cashmere often pill a little at first before they 'settle'. Important: pilling is not the same as a moth hole or felting. Pills sit on top and can safely be removed; a hole or a felted patch is another matter. Removing pills won't harm the sweater as long as you cut them away rather than tear them loose.

Tools for removing pills

Several tools work – the choice depends on how delicate the sweater is:

• Fabric shaver (electric): a battery 'razor' with a guard that cuts the pills and collects them in a chamber. Fast and gentle on most sweaters, and the easiest to control the pressure with.
• Pill comb or pumice stone: a toothed comb or a light pumice that lifts the pills as you draw gently. Fine control, good on fine-gauge knits and delicate qualities.
• Disposable razor: cheap and effective, but the riskiest – a dull or angled blade can cut the knit itself. Use a light hand and a fresh blade.
• Tape or a lint roller: won't remove pills, but picks up loose fibres and lint afterwards, so the result looks clean.

How to remove pills safely

Whatever the tool, the technique is the same – calm and in sections:

1. Lay the sweater flat on a table, don't hold it in the air. A flat surface stops you catching folds you might cut into.
2. Stretch a small area lightly smooth with one hand, and work only that patch at a time.
3. Move the tool in one direction with light pressure. Don't dig or press – let the tool do the work, and make several light passes rather than one hard one.
4. Empty the shaver or brush the pills away regularly, so you can see where you've been.
5. Finish by lifting loose fibres with a lint roller or a little tape, and let the sweater rest before wearing it again.

What not to do

The most common mistakes do more harm than the pills themselves:

• Don't pick or pull pills off with your fingers. That tugs on whole fibres, which can create thin spots or small holes over time.
• Don't use a dull or dirty razor, and don't press hard – that's how you cut holes in fine knits.
• Don't work on a wet or freshly washed, still-damp garment – fibres are weaker when wet.
• Don't mistake a moth hole or a felted patch for pilling. Those need repair or other treatment, not a fabric shaver.

Prevent pilling in the wash and in wear

Much of the pilling you can avoid through how you wash and wear the sweater:

1. Turn the sweater inside out before washing, so the rubbing in the machine happens on the inside.
2. Wash gently and cold, ideally in a wash bag, and avoid mixing fine knits with rough items or hook-and-loop that abrades the surface.
3. Skip fabric softener and choose a mild wool or delicates detergent; harsh mechanical handling is a main cause of pilling.
4. Dry the sweater flat, and let it 'rest' a couple of days between wears, so the fibres can recover.

When should you send the sweater to us?

If the sweater is expensive or has sentimental value – think cashmere, a hand-knitted favourite or a fine wool jumper – and you're afraid of cutting it wrong, you can let professionals handle it. And if you discover it isn't really pilling but a moth hole, a dropped stitch or a worn elbow, we can repair that, as well as clean and care for the garment gently. You order online from anywhere in Norway, and you see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions