Every winter the same thing happens: your favourite sweater, that warm shawl from Swat, the kids' school jumpers — all covered in tiny fuzzy balls. They're called pills, and they make even good clothes look old.
The fix takes about five minutes.
Why fabric pills
Friction breaks short fibres loose, and they twist into little balls on the surface. It happens most on wool, acrylic, fleece and blends — usually under the arms, on sleeves, and wherever a bag strap rubs.
Lint roller vs lint remover — what's the difference?
A sticky lint roller picks up loose fluff and hair. A lint remover (also called a fabric shaver) has small rotating blades behind a guard that cut the pills off cleanly. For bobbles, you need the shaver.
Our household fabric lint remover is rechargeable and has a built-in collector, so the fuzz doesn't go everywhere.
How to use a lint remover, step by step
- Lay the garment flat on an ironing board or table. Never do it while wearing it.
- Smooth it out so there are no folds — folds get cut.
- Glide gently in small circles. Don't press down.
- Empty the collector when it's full; performance drops otherwise.
- Finish with a lint roller for any loose fluff.
Fabric-by-fabric tips
- Wool and cashmere: lightest touch possible. Test inside a hem first.
- Fleece and hoodies: fine to go a bit quicker.
- Knit with loose weave: be careful — blades can snag open knits.
- Sofa and cushions: works great on fabric upholstery and car seats too.
- Avoid silk, delicate embroidery, lace, and anything with sequins.
How to stop pilling in the first place
- Wash sweaters inside out on a gentle cycle.
- Use a laundry bag for knits.
- Air dry flat instead of using a dryer.
- Don't wash knits with towels or jeans.
FAQs
Will a lint remover damage my clothes?
Used gently and flat, no. Pressing hard or going over folds is what causes holes.
How often should I de-pill?
Whenever pills appear — once a month for most winter wear.
It's one of those small gadgets you'll wonder how you lived without. See more useful tools in our trending home gadgets guide or the full gadgets collection.