How to Fix Picks on Sweaters

Return your favorite sweater to its original quality by regularly removing stray picks and pills.

Picks and pills in sweaters are unsightly collections of fuzz or fabric that build up over repeated wearings and washings, or just over time. Rather than replacing your sweater or buying unnecessary gadgets to remove these blemishes, you can easily do it yourself with tools you probably already have around the house.

Things You'll Need

• Disposable razor
• Lint roller

Instructions

1. Lay the sweater on a flat surface, such as an ironing board. Smooth the sweater with your hand to make sure it lies flat.

2. Drag the razor lightly across the fabric, making sure to catch the unwanted, raised fuzz in the material. Take care not to apply too much pressure or you might catch and tear the sweater itself, rather than the picks and pills.

3. Repeat as necessary across the garment until you are satisfied that you have removed all of the picks and pills.

4. Run a lint roller across the garment to remove any stray fuzz.

Tips & Warnings

• Real Simple Magazine also suggests using the hook side of Velcro, which attaches to the pills and pulls them away easily, or even lightly rubbing a piece of sandpaper across the surface of the sweater.

• All of these methods also work well for removing picks and pills caused by pet damage on bedspreads, upholstery and carpets.

References

• Martha Stewart: Removing Sweater Pills
• Real Simple; Easily Remove Pills on Sweaters; Valerie Stivers

Resources

• Vintage Vixen: How To Prevent And Avoid Pilling and Pulling
• Sweater Stone: Free Offer