How to Depill a Shirt

Sweater pills are a breeze to remove.

When fabric fibers become worn and damaged, they have a tendency to form small balls, or pills. While all types of fabrics tend to pill, natural and tightly woven materials tend to pill less. On the other hand, loosely woven and synthetic fabrics have a higher tendency to pill. Regardless of fabric type, however, pilled fabric detracts from the beauty of a shirt. They are not, however, difficult to remove.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Safety razor
• Pumice stone
• Clothing shaver

Instructions

1. Use scissors. If the pills are large and few, simply clip them, being careful not to snip the fabric.

2. Use a razor. Flatten the shirt out and pull it taut. With the other hand, draw the safety razor gently across the surface of the shirt. Repeat as necessary until the pills are gone.

3. Use a pumice stone. There are commercially available pumice stones made for depilling. Draw the stone gently across the surface of the pilled fabric until the pills are gone.

4. Use a shaver. Clothing shavers are made specifically to remove pills without damaging fabric. Simply turn it on and draw it across the fabric. Clear out the receptacle when necessary. If you own a lot of clothing that tends to pill, a clothing shaver may be a good investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Whichever method you choose to remove pills, be careful not to damage the fabric.

References

• Fabriclink: "Fabric Care Center: What Can Be Done to Minimize Pilling?"
• Martha Stewart: Removing Sweater Pills
• Dupont: DuMax Alta: Understanding the Science of Pilling: The Untold Story