If you’re anything like me, you’ve already started eyeing up your autumn and winter wardrobes. After the sky-high temperatures we’ve experienced this summer, it’s no wonder we’re all longing for the comfort and cosiness of our favourite knitwear. But before you shrug on your favourite cardie, you might notice they need a little TLC, or, more specifically – a little de-bobbling.
Jumpers develop little tiny bobbles, also known as pilling, when loose fabric fibres rub together and twist into tiny balls of fluff. Instead of falling away they cling on and make our knits look as though they’ve developed some sort of horrible infectious disease.
Luckily for us, it’s not terminal. Here are the quick and easy ways you can remove bobbles from your jumpers, and a couple of handy tips for how to prevent them from coming back.
How to remove bobbles from a jumper
There are a few ways you can remove bobbles/pilling from your jumpers, but each of them involve the same principles. Always lay the jumper flat and work gently – never pull at bobbles by hand, lest you quite literally tear holes in your knits.
A good rule of thumb is to always test your chosen method on a hidden area first, especially on wool, cashmere or delicate knits. Once you’ve selected your tool, use light strokes and avoid pressing too hard, which can cut or damage the fibres, and be sure to work slowly around seams, buttons, cuffs and loose threads. Keep the fabric taut but don’t stretch it excessively – and make sure the jumper is clean and completely dry before de-pilling. If the fabric starts to snag or look thinner, stop immediately.
A fabric shaver
The quickest and safest option is to buy a specifically designed fabric shaver for the job. Its rotating blades trim away loose fibres without pulling at the fabric, helping jumpers look smoother, fresher and less worn.
It’s also reusable, easy to control and suitable for refreshing larger areas quickly. Many models have adjustable settings, so you can use a gentler setting on delicate fabrics such as wool or cashmere. Always check the instructions and test it on an inconspicuous area first. The main downside is that a fabric shaver uses blades, so pressing too hard or going over one area repeatedly can damage the knit or create a hole. It can also catch on loose threads, seams, buttons and embellishments.
How to use it: Lay the jumper flat and smooth. Once you’ve tested it on your hidden area, using light, slow strokes, gently move it over the bobbles without pressing down or repeatedly going over the same area, taking extra care around seams, buttons and loose threads.
A jumper comb
A jumper comb gently lifts bobbles from the surface of the fabric without using blades, making it a great pick if you’re trying to tame your more delicate wool or cashmere pieces. It’s reusable, inexpensive and gives you plenty of control, although it can take longer than a fabric shaver and may not be as effective on larger areas. The comb can also catch on loose threads or roughen the fibres if used too forcefully, so use with great caution – just because it’s not a razor doesn’t mean it can’t cause some damage.
How to use it: Lay the jumper flat and smooth. Gently pull the comb over the bobbled areas in one direction, using light, even strokes and taking care around seams, buttons and loose threads. Don’t drag it back and forth or press too hard, as this could damage the knit.
A disposable razor
Possibly the most old school method (with the highest consequences), a disposable razor can be a quick, inexpensive way to remove bobbles when you don’t have a fabric shaver to hand. It skims away raised fibres from the surface of the jumper, leaving the knit looking smoother and fresher.
However, it’s the riskiest method, as pressing too hard or catching the fabric can cut the knit, create a hole or snap loose threads. It’s best avoided on very delicate, loosely knitted or textured jumpers, and only used with a very steady, very confident hand.
How to use it: Lay the jumper flat and smooth, then test the razor on a hidden area first. Holding the fabric taut, gently skim the razor over the bobbled areas in one direction, using almost no pressure. Avoid risky areas as before, and never drag the razor repeatedly over the same patch. This is best used if you just have one small patch you want to shift, rather than addressing an entire knit.
How to prevent bobbles on a jumper
- Reduce friction: While you can’t always avoid friction, you can be aware of it. When wearing your favourite or particularly bobble prone knits, be mindful of seatbelts, handbags, coat straps and rough surfaces rubbing against the same areas.
- Wash jumpers inside out: A super easy prevention tactic lies in the laundry. Always use a gentle cycle, cool temperature and a mild detergent designed for wool or delicates, and turn them inside out to prevent friction when rolling in the drum.
- Avoid over-washing: Unless you spill or sweat on a jumper, they really don’t need washing all that often. Air your knits properly between wears and only wash it when it genuinely needs cleaning.
- Don’t overload the machine: Clothes need room to move, otherwise extra rubbing can encourage pilling.
- Skip the tumble dryer: Heat and constant movement is a recipe for bobbles. It can damage fibres and create more friction. Instead air dry and make sure to reshape jumpers and dry them flat after the wash.
- Store them folded: Hanging can stretch knitwear and put strain on the shoulders, while folding helps it keep its shape.
- Choose tightly woven fabrics: Loosely spun, synthetic or fluffy fibres tend to pill more easily, although some pilling is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean a jumper is poor quality.
Tried and tested fabric shavers
Score: 90/100
Needing just two passes to fully de-bobble our cashmere and merino wool jumpers, our runner-up excelled when it came to tackling more delicate fabrics. Some light fluff escaped its bin storage, but we love the travel lock which stops it from turning on in your bag.
Score: 83/100
Unlike the others in our list, this is a manual debobbler, so it requires more work but you have more control over how much lint you remove. It also has three different heads to suit different fabrics. It's comfortable to hold and did a good job of freshening up our knitwear.
