Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To keep a sweater in shape, follow its care label, wash it only when needed using a permitted method, handle it gently while wet, dry it flat when instructed, and fold it for storage. Pilling is a normal result of friction on many knits; remove pills carefully rather than pulling them off.

Start with the sweater’s care label

“Read and follow the care label instructions,” advises the American Cleaning Institute in its sweater-care guidance. That matters because wool, cashmere, cotton, synthetics, blends, trims, and embellishments may have different washing and drying limits. The label on your specific garment takes priority over general advice or instructions for another brand’s sweater.

If a label does not specify a water temperature, the American Cleaning Institute recommends cold water. For machine washing, use a detergent formulated for delicates when the label allows machine washing. A mesh laundry bag may help protect a knit in an approved gentle machine cycle, but it does not make a hand-wash-only sweater machine washable.

Wash only as often as needed

Air a sweater between wears when it does not need washing. Clean it before putting it into seasonal storage, and deal with visible soil or stains according to the garment’s label. Avoid rubbing or wringing knitwear, which can stress the fibers and distort the shape.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
BEAUTURAL Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover, Portable Sweater Defuzzer
  • Easily remove lint, fluff, fuzz balls and bobbles from your favorite garments and fabrics
  • Suitable for sweaters, jerseys, blankets, bed sheets, upholstery and much more, but not for removing Pet Hairs
  • Sharp and durable blades that last for years and are easily replaceable with 2 included extra blades
  • 3 shaving heights, 2 speeds and 3 shaving hole sizes for different types of fabric and bobble sizes
  • The adjustable height spacer safeguards wool sweaters and delicate fabrics from cuts or snags

For a hand-wash-only sweater

  1. Fill a basin with water at the temperature allowed by the care label, and use a suitable delicate-wash detergent.

  2. Gently swish the sweater. Do not rub or wring it.

  3. Rinse as directed, then roll the sweater in a towel and press gently to remove excess water.

  4. Dry it flat, supporting the garment as you move it.

Soft hand-wash-only sweaters can lose shape in washing. If you are comfortable reshaping yours, the American Cleaning Institute suggests tracing its outline before washing so you have a guide for laying it back into shape.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
Sale
Electrolux Rechargeable Fabric Shaver | 3-Speed Lint Remover for Clothes & Furniture | Eliminates Fuzz & Pilling | Electric Lint Shaver with LED Display & Type-C Fast Charging Port - Blue
  • Adjustable 3-Speed Precision - Featuring three adjustable speed settings, this lint remover adapts to delicate fabrics, thicker garments, and durable upholstery with ease. Say goodbye to pilling, fuzz, and lint without damaging the fabric.
  • Rechargeable with Type-C Fast Charging - Powered by a 2000mAh lithium-ion battery, this clothes shaver offers up to 180 minutes of use on a single charge. The Type-C charging port ensures faster, more convenient recharging for uninterrupted performance.
  • User-Friendly LED Display - The smart LED screen shows battery life, speed level, and charging status at a glance, making it easy to monitor and adjust for the best results. Enjoy smooth and hassle-free fabric care with this fabric pilling remover.
  • Gift-Ready Packaging - This clothing shaver comes in a stylish, reusable storage box, making it ideal for gifting or keeping accessories organized. It includes an extra blade, a cleaning brush, and a protective cover for safe handling.
  • Premium Fabric Care - Engineered for performance and durability, this pilling remover by Electrolux delivers top-tier performance with durable construction for long-lasting use. A must-have for keeping clothes and furniture looking fresh.

For a machine-washable sweater

Use only a machine cycle and detergent permitted by the garment label. Some brands recommend turning knits inside out before washing to reduce friction on the visible surface. That can help limit rubbing during the wash, but it cannot guarantee a pill-free sweater.

Brand directions can differ even for cashmere. FTC Cashmere’s care guide permits a cold wool machine cycle for its garments, while Porsche Design’s cashmere guidance says its cashmere should only be hand washed and only when visibly stained. These are instructions for those brands’ garments, not universal rules for cashmere. Check your own label.

Dry knits flat to protect their shape

A wet sweater is heavier and more vulnerable to stretching. Woolmark recommends drying wool sweaters flat unless the garment’s care claim permits tumble drying. After gently pressing out excess water, lay the sweater on a pale, lint-free towel or a flat mesh drying screen, shape it gently, and let it dry away from direct sunlight.

  • Do not hang a wet sweater or dry it on a line: the retained water can pull the knit out of shape.

    What’s actually slowing this PC down?

    Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
    Rank #3
    Fabric Shaver, Lint Remover Rechargeable, Electric Portable Sweater Defuzzer with 3 Speeds, 6 Leaf Blades, Digital LED Display to Remove Pilling for Clothes, Furniture, Sweater, Couch, Blanket
    • 【Portable Fabric Shaver】-- Special designed for removing fuzz, pills, and lint from sweaters, blankets, curtains, carpets, furniture, couch, and more; compact and portable, 2.4x2.3x6inch, great for home use or travel to keep your garments looking pristine
    • 【Innovative Blades】 -- Upgraded 6 Leaf Blades, razor-sharp, double cleaning efficiency compared to the 3-blade cutter head, with 3 speeds to cater to different fabric types and pilling intensities without damaging your beloved textiles. Tips: It is recommended to use it by laying the garment flat on a hard surface
    • 【Digital LED Display】-- Stay in control with our intuitive digital LED display. Easily monitor the battery level and speed setting, ensuring you always have the power you need for your fabric Shaver; Long last working time, 1200mAh battery, 2 hours quickly charging, work up to for 3.5 - 4.5 hours
    • 【Multi-Protection】-- Fabric Protection, bionic honeycomb mesh ensures fabric safety; Safety Assurance - If the grid becomes loose, the safety switch will promptly deactivate the device, protect your hand; Charging Security - Our sweater remover will cease charging automatically upon reaching full charge
    • 【Removable Lint Collection Container】-- Upgraded visible and removable Lint Collection Container, you can take apart the container to wash cleaning, easy to keep the lint remover clean
  • Avoid direct heat and radiators, which can damage or discolor wool.

  • Use a tumble dryer only when the care label specifically allows it, and follow the label’s settings.

If a sweater has already stretched

For a local area distorted by a hanger, Woolmark describes gently massaging the area after dipping it in warm water at 30°C to 40°C, then letting it dry. This is a limited reshaping option, not a guaranteed repair. A severely felted garment that was machine washed against a dry-clean-only or hand-wash instruction may not recover.

Why sweaters pill—and how to remove pills

Pills are small fuzzy balls on a knit’s surface. FTC Cashmere explains that friction among fine fibers causes pilling. Color, spinning, knit tightness, washing, and wear can also influence how much appears. Pilling is a natural characteristic of knitwear and does not by itself prove that a sweater is defective.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Sale
Electrolux Rechargeable Fabric Shaver | 3-Speed Lint Remover for Clothes & Furniture | Eliminates Fuzz & Pilling | Electric Lint Shaver with LED Display & Type-C Fast Charging Port - Black
  • Adjustable 3-Speed Precision - Featuring three adjustable speed settings, this lint remover adapts to delicate fabrics, thicker garments, and durable upholstery with ease. Say goodbye to pilling, fuzz, and lint without damaging the fabric.
  • Rechargeable with Type-C Fast Charging - Powered by a 2000mAh lithium-ion battery, this clothes shaver offers up to 180 minutes of use on a single charge. The Type-C charging port ensures faster, more convenient recharging for uninterrupted performance.
  • User-Friendly LED Display - The smart LED screen shows battery life, speed level, and charging status at a glance, making it easy to monitor and adjust for the best results. Enjoy smooth and hassle-free fabric care with this fabric pilling remover.
  • Gift-Ready Packaging - This clothing shaver comes in a stylish, reusable storage box, making it ideal for gifting or keeping accessories organized. It includes an extra blade, a cleaning brush, and a protective cover for safe handling.
  • Premium Fabric Care - Engineered for performance and durability, this pilling remover by Electrolux delivers top-tier performance with durable construction for long-lasting use. A must-have for keeping clothes and furniture looking fresh.

To remove pills, lay the sweater flat and use a sweater or cashmere comb carefully in the direction of the knitting. Do not pluck pills from delicate cashmere; pulling can disturb fibers in the knit. A comb removes pills that have already formed—it cannot prevent all future pilling.

Reduce avoidable friction by following the wash instructions and, if the garment’s care guidance recommends it, turning it inside out before washing. No reliable universal pill threshold or guarantee that a particular sweater will never pill is established by the cited care guidance.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Store sweaters clean, dry, and folded

Fold sweaters rather than hanging them; hanging can stretch knitwear. Before seasonal storage, clean the garment so soils do not attract insects and stains are less likely to darken over time. Choose a cool, dark, dry, well-ventilated place, and avoid sealed plastic bags or bins that can trap moisture.

For longer storage, FTC Cashmere recommends keeping knits flat in a cloth bag and suggests natural moth repellents such as lavender or cedarwood. These are optional storage choices; the priorities are a clean, dry sweater and protection suited to your storage conditions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover, Battery-Operated Portable Clothes Shaver with 3 Settings, Fuzz Remover for Sweaters, Clothing and Furniture, Large 2-Inch Shaving Head, White
  • FABRIC DE-FUZZER: Your go-to fabric shaver, the battery-operated and portable-power Conair Fabric Shaver safely removes fuzz, lint, and pills from your favorite fabrics. From socks to sofas, this lint shaver is safe for use on most household fabrics.
  • EASY OPERATION: This easy-to-use fuzz remover fabric shaver features a comfortable ergonomic grip and 3 depth settings to shave fuzz, pilling, and lint from sweaters, clothing, and furniture.
  • VERSATILE DESIGN: Adjustable for a variety of fabric types, the Conair fabric shaver and lint remover features a large 2" shaving head for efficient use and detachable lint catcher for easy cleanup. Requires 2 AA batteries (not included).
  • GREAT FOR TRAVEL: With its compact size and cordless operation, this fabric shaver for clothing is portable and stores easily in a drawer, suitcase, or wardrobe travel kit. It's perfect for travel and home use.
  • CONAIR GARMENT CARE: From fabric shavers and traditional irons to garment steamers, both handheld and full size/upright, Conair makes innovative, high-quality garment care tools for all users to look their best.

Useful care tools and their limits

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.