Shaving Pilled Sweaters

Updated on February 08, 2012
A.C. asks from Atlanta, GA
11 answers

I recently saw on TV someone advising someone else to shave the pills off their sweaters. I mean this literally, as in taking an old razor and running it over the sweater until all the pills come off. Has anyone tried this before? I have a beautiful (relatively new) sweater that just began pilling, and I would like to clean it up somehow. Thanks!

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K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

I have done it, do it very gentle otherwise you start to shave away the fabric making it thinner.

You can also use velcro, it may take a little longer but I find it safer then using a razor. Take the "sticky" part and go over till all the pills or off.

Some times I do the velcro but if there is an area it is not working on I will pull out the razor.

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A.P.

answers from Austin on

Yes, I have used a regular old disposable razor on a cashmere sweater I got for Christmas last year. (Apparently cashmere pills horribly - who knew?!) It worked great.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Austin on

I've had some success with a pumice stone, mostly with synthetics.

Not on all materials, though. I might have to look into using a razor on some of the things that the pumice stone didn't help with.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

You can get a little battery powered gadget to do this and it works pretty well. I have never tried with just a razor.

1 mom found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

You need a sweater brush!
I have one of these and it works WAY better than the battery operated thingy.
http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/080819.html?cmp=jelly...
I think you should be able to get one at Hancock or JoAnn's.
HTH!

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I have a clothes shaver I bought at Walgreens. There are usually 2 different sizes. They are very easy to use but be careful not to get super close to the material. I have extended the life of many sweater and baby pjs, even making them look brand new and only takes a minute or 2. I tried the "old razor" thing and got too close so don't trust myself with that one.

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C.K.

answers from Cleveland on

If you have a sweater that absolutely resists all of these suggestions, my mom suggested sandpaper on a brown sweater that went thru the dryer with something white. I tried all of the other things, the sandpaper worked.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I have used disposable Lady Shick razors and it works really well.

My mom got a battery operated contraption and tested it on an old sweater she didn't reallly care about. You have to be careful. She ended up with a couple of holes in it.

The razor works well for me.. Just be gentle.

Best wishes.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

The little battery-operated gizmo will work, but you have to be patient doing it! If you press too much, the gizmo will munch on the sweater and not the pills. Be gentle and take your time.

I think the same thing would apply if you used a razor, so you might try that first. But I would try it first on a sweater I could live without before I did it to one I loved.

1 mom found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Go to Amazon and look up Battery Operated Fabric Shavers.

I have a few of these. They work great! And they're cheap!

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

gentle is the key and yes, this does work but it can mess them up just as fast if you are not gentle. I am not, so I have a friend do this for me I just do not have a soft touch ;)

1 mom found this helpful
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