Can you get rid of pilling

Sep 12, 2026

Short answer: Yes. A fabric shaver or blunt scissors removes the bobbles, and they return more slowly if the piece is washed inside out and without hard things in the machine. Never pull bobbles off with your fingers.

A fabric shaver is quickest

It cuts the bobbles off without pulling at the fabric. Run it lightly over the surface and hold the fabric flat with your other hand so it does not fold. It is faster than picking, and the surface becomes smooth again. See also the bamboo joggers for women if you want to replace a piece.

Never pull bobbles off

If you pull, fibres come with them and the hole begins. The bobble is anchored in the fabric, and tearing it loose takes some of the surrounding fibres along. The surface gets thinner where you pulled. Always use a shaver or scissors instead. That goes for bamboo sweatpants for women too.

Inside out gives fewer bobbles

Bobbles form where the fabric rubs against something hard. Turn the garment inside out, and the inside takes most of the rubbing in the machine while the good side is spared. It is a habit that costs almost nothing. Try it on a bamboo sweatshirt for women.

Blunt scissors work too

If you have no fabric shaver, small scissors can do the job. Hold the fabric flat and cut only the bobble, not the fabric beneath. It takes longer, especially on large areas, but works well on single spots. Use scissors with a blunt tip, so you do not catch the fabric by mistake.

Lay the fabric flat

Whatever you choose, lay the piece flat on a table in good light. That lets you see the bobbles clearly and work evenly from one end to the other. Look at the places where bobbles gather: elbows, sides and wherever the fabric rubs. They are also the first places where they return.

No hard things in the machine

Zips, hard buttons and hooks can rub against the fabric and create new bobbles. Close the zips and do not wash the garment with things that have hard parts. With a gentle wash, the bobbles take longer to return. A glance into the machine before you start is enough.

Where bobbles come from

Bobbles form where the fabric rubs against something hard, and that can happen in the machine as well as in daily life. Under the arms, along the sides and by pockets you often see them. When you know where they appear, you can cut them before they gather and keep the surface neater for longer.

Little and often is best

Remove the bobbles when they start to show, instead of waiting until the whole piece is covered. A few bobbles are quick to cut, and the fabric is strained less. Take out the shaver when you sort the laundry anyway. Then it becomes a habit that takes only a few moments.