Pilling, how to remove it

Short answer: Use a fabric shaver or a blunt razor with a light hand. Lay the fabric flat and pull in one direction. It takes about a minute per garment, and the clothes look neater straight away.

Why pilling happens

Pills are small balls of loose fibre ends that have been rubbed out of the fabric surface and tangled together. They form where clothing rubs against something, such as under the arms, along the sides and where a bag hangs. It is a normal result of wear and happens in every fabric.

Lay the fabric flat first

Pills are easiest to remove on a smooth, hard surface. Lay the T-shirt on a table and smooth it out by hand so there are no folds or creases. A fold can easily catch on the blade, and then you risk a small hole. This applies to most items in men's most popular.

Choose the right tool

An electric fabric shaver is easy to use and gentle on the fabric, because the blades sit behind a fine mesh. A blunt razor also works but needs a steady hand. A textile brush suits thicker fabrics. Whatever the tool, the same rule applies: light pressure, calm movements and enough time to see what you are doing.

Pull in one direction

Going back and forth tears at the fabric and can pull up new fibre ends. Move the same way every time, in short and calm strokes. Work one area at a time and empty the shaver along the way so it does not clog. This applies to the most popular Copenhagen Bamboo pieces and anything else in your wardrobe.

Let the tool do the work

It is tempting to press hard to finish quickly, but that is when damage happens. Heavy pressure can cut into the fabric itself instead of only removing the pills. Let the shaver glide lightly over the surface and go over the same spot twice if needed. That way the fabric keeps its thickness and softness.

Prevent pilling with the right wash

Wash clothes inside out so the surface does not rub against the drum and other items. Skip the tumble dryer and hang things up instead. Avoid washing with zips, Velcro or rough fabrics like denim. This reduces pilling on everything in women's bamboo joggers, where the soft fabric is easily worn by harder materials.

Where pills appear most often

Pills gather where there is the most friction in daily life. On trousers that is usually between the thighs and on the seat, on tops under the arms and at the sleeves. If you carry a shoulder bag or a backpack, pills can also form where the strap rests. Knowing the spots helps you keep an eye on them.

A regular habit keeps clothes looking good

It is easier to remove a few pills often than many at once. Take a quick look at your most worn pieces when you fold them after washing, and remove the few pills you see. That keeps it a quick job instead of a bigger task, and your clothes look cared for longer.

Frequently asked questions

Does a fabric shaver damage the fabric

Not if you use a light hand. Do not press, let the shaver do the work, and keep the fabric flat so no folds get caught under the blades.

Will the pills come back

Yes, but fewer. The loosest fibre ends are gone after the first treatment, so there is less material to form new pills as the clothes are worn and washed.

Is pilling a sign of poor quality

No. Pills form wherever there is friction, and that happens in all fabrics. Soft fabrics may show them sooner, but that alone says nothing about quality.