How to Stop Clothes from Pilling

Pills are those small, fuzzy balls of tangled fiber that form on fabric surfaces — on sweaters, leggings, the inside of jacket arms, anywhere fabric experiences repeated friction. They make clothes look old and worn-out far faster than they actually are. Pilling isn't random — it's caused by specific washing and wearing habits that can be changed.

Here's why it happens, which fabrics are most vulnerable, and the exact steps that prevent it.

Why Pilling Happens

Pilling occurs when short or broken fibers on the surface of fabric rub against each other — in the washing machine, in the dryer, or during regular wear. The friction causes loose fibers to break free, twist together, and form a tangle anchored to the fabric by longer fibers that are still intact.

Fabrics with short fibers, loose weaves, or blended fiber lengths are most prone because they have more loose fiber ends on the surface to begin with. Once pilling starts, it typically accelerates — each existing pill catches more loose fibers as it tumbles in the wash.

Main causes of pilling

• Agitation in the washing machine — clothes rubbing against each other and the drum walls
• Tumble drying — continuous friction and the tumbling action loosens fibers
• Wearing under bags, seatbelts, or tight outerwear — fabric-on-fabric friction during the day
• Abrasive materials in the same wash load — jeans with rivets, items with velcro or zippers
• Overwashing — each wash cycle contributes cumulative friction damage

Which Fabrics Pill the Most

How to Prevent Pilling in the Wash

Turn clothes inside out

The outside surface (the one you see) experiences the most friction during normal wear. Turning items inside out redirects the friction to the inner surface during washing, protecting the visible exterior from abrasion. This is especially important for printed tops, dark knits, and activewear.

Use a mesh laundry bag

A mesh laundry bag confines delicate or pill-prone items during the wash cycle, significantly reducing surface-to-surface friction. Use bags for sweaters, leggings, sports bras, and any fine knits. Bags also prevent zippers and clasps from catching on other items.

Separate by weight

Washing heavy items (jeans, towels) with lightweight knits dramatically increases pilling on the lighter items. The heavier items act as an abrasive against delicate fabrics. Wash your sweaters, knits, and activewear separately from denim, towels, and other heavy-duty items.

Fasten all zippers and velcro

Open zippers and exposed velcro are highly abrasive in the wash drum. The metal zipper teeth and velcro hooks snag and pull on other fabrics, creating pilling and even pulls. Always fasten zippers and press velcro closed before washing.

Use the gentle or delicate cycle

The gentle cycle uses less agitation and a slower spin speed, which significantly reduces the friction that causes pilling. High-speed agitation cycles are the primary driver of wash-related pilling.

Use cold water

Cold water reduces fiber swelling during the wash cycle. Swollen, softened fibers are more vulnerable to friction damage than fibers washed in cooler temperatures.

Reduce the load size

Overfilling the washing machine increases friction between items. A half-full load allows clothes to move freely through the water rather than grinding against each other. Pile-prone items are best washed in smaller loads.

Air dry instead of tumble drying

Tumble drying creates constant friction and is a major contributor to pilling, especially for sweaters and knits. Lay flat or hang to air dry pill-prone items. If using a dryer, select low heat and remove items promptly when the cycle ends.

What Actually Doesn't Help

Fabric softener

Commonly believed to prevent pilling, fabric softener actually makes the problem worse over time. It coats fibers with conditioning agents that make them softer — which sounds helpful but actually makes fibers more likely to break loose and tangle. Softener weakens the surface bond between fibers and reduces the cohesion of the weave structure.

More detergent

Using extra detergent doesn't protect against pilling. Excess detergent builds up in fabric, which can make fibers stiffer and more brittle over time — potentially increasing surface abrasion damage.

How to Remove Existing Pills

If your clothes have already pilled, the good news is that existing pills can be removed without damaging the fabric.

Fabric shaver (best option)

An electric fabric shaver (also called a lint shaver or de-piller) is the most effective tool. It uses a rotating head with a fine mesh guard to shave pills off the surface without cutting the underlying fabric. Run it gently over pilled areas with light pressure. Use in the direction of the weave, not against it.

Brands like Gleener, Remington, and Conair make reliable fabric shavers in the $10–$30 range. They're a worthwhile investment if you have multiple items that pill.

Sweater stone or pumice stone

A sweater stone is a natural pumice block that works by gentle abrasion. Effective for light pilling on knits. Use light strokes on a flat, taut surface. Not suitable for very delicate or loosely woven fabrics.

Disposable razors (emergency option)

A standard disposable razor can shave pills off fabric in a pinch. Keep the blade at a very shallow angle and use very light pressure — cutting too deeply can damage the fabric weave. Works reasonably well but requires more care than a dedicated fabric shaver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pilling mean the fabric is low quality?

Not always. Pilling depends on fiber type and construction more than overall quality. Expensive merino wool sweaters will pill if washed incorrectly; cheap linen tops may never pill. That said, very low-quality acrylic and synthetic blends are generally more prone to heavy pilling regardless of care.

Will pilling get better or worse over time?

It depends on the fabric. Acrylic and polyester blends tend to get worse over time with each wash. Some wool items actually improve — as loose fibers are washed away, the remaining fibers are the longer, more stable ones that pill less. Merino wool is a good example of a fabric that often pills initially and then stabilizes.

Can I wash a pilled sweater to fix it?

Washing alone won't remove pills — it will likely create more. Remove existing pills with a fabric shaver first, then wash with the gentle techniques above to prevent new ones.

Why does my brand-new sweater already have pills after one wash?

New garments often shed loose surface fibers in the first few washes — this is normal for knits and fleece. The initial pilling should slow down after 2–3 washes as the excess loose fibers are shed. If pilling continues at the same rate, adjust your washing method using the tips above.

Do dryer sheets help prevent pilling?

No — dryer sheets have a similar effect to fabric softener. They coat fibers with conditioning substances that may make individual fibers softer but increase the rate of fiber breakage over time. Skip dryer sheets on pill-prone items and air dry instead.

The Bottom Line

Pilling is caused by friction — and the most friction happens in the washing machine and dryer. The single most effective change: switch pill-prone items (sweaters, leggings, knits) to a mesh laundry bag on the gentle cycle, and air dry instead of tumble drying. For existing pills, a fabric shaver removes them cleanly without damaging the fabric. Fabric softener and dryer sheets make pilling worse, not better — skip them for any item you want to stay smooth.

Related reading: how to wash workout clothes and how to wash wool sweaters for fabric-specific washing guides.