My wool sweater is pilling, what can I do?
It happens to even the best sweaters. You wear it with love, day in, day out… and then suddenly: those little balls. Help! Is your sweater ‘ruined’ now? Do you have to give it up with a heavy heart? No way. Breathe, don’t stress. Wool pills — and that is completely normal. And luckily, there’s something you can do about it. As long as you know how.
Why does wool actually pill?
It's simple: wool is a natural material with fine, short hairs. When you wear your sweater (or rub against it, lean on it, or stuff it under a jacket), those hairs move. They rub against each other and form little balls. Especially in places with a lot of friction, such as armpits, forearms, the stomach, or bag straps.
The softer and looser the wool, the greater the chance of pilling. Think of cashmere, alpaca, or merino wool. Even the most luxurious fabrics suffer from this. So no, it is not a sign of poor quality — actually, it’s quite the opposite.
What can you do if your sweater pills?
Use a good fabric shaver. Really. Preferably one without blades that carefully removes fuzz without damaging your sweater. Such as the Gleener, which you can find in our webshop. And yes, we strongly advise against electric lint removers. Why? Because those things are absolute nightmares that sometimes don't just shave off your pills, but actually cut holes in your clothes. Plus: those things run on batteries (not sustainable!) and run out of juice constantly, exactly when you want to spend an evening "de-pilling."
And very important: never pick at them. No matter how tempting it is. Because then you actually pull the wool fibers loose, and your sweater will start pilling again in no time. So: don't pull, do comb.
Can you prevent pilling entirely?
Not entirely. But you can limit it. Here are some tips:
- Let new sweaters ‘rest’ for a bit before you wear them constantly
- Rotate what you wear (the same sweater every day = faster pilling)
- Wash it with a wool detergent like Lanalicious, and dry it flat
- Store your sweater folded, not hanging
- And treat your sweater like a delicate friend — gently, that is
Don't let it ruin your sweater
A bit of pilling is part of it. It’s not a defect, not a drama, it’s a characteristic. Just like leather shoes crease and linen blouses wrinkle. See it as a sign that you are living in your sweater. And with a little care, a good fabric shaver, and some love, it will remain beautiful for years: and that is what’s truly sustainable!
Pilling on other fabrics? Yes, that’s possible too
Wool is known for it, but did you know other fabrics can pill too? Think of viscose (like Ecovero), flannel, cotton, or even knitted jersey fabrics. They pill much less quickly than wool, but with intensive wear and high friction (under a jacket, along a bag, or sitting in the same spot at the table), those little balls can still form. You sometimes see this happen, especially on the stomach, armpits, or sleeves.
And even then, you don’t need to panic or immediately think it’s ‘ruined.’ With the right approach, you can get it looking neat and smooth again. The Gleener fabric shaver that we recommend (and sell in the webshop) has three interchangeable edges. For delicate fabrics like viscose or cotton, you use the white, super-fine edge. It clicks on easily and glides effortlessly over the fabric without damaging it.
An extra benefit: this tool also works great on flannel pajamas, baby rompers, and jersey dresses that have been washed just a little too often. You don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe — you just make your clothes beautiful again. And that naturally fits perfectly with how we like to treat our belongings: less waste, more care.
Frequently asked questions about wool pilling
What exactly is pilling?
Pills are small balls or fuzz caused by friction. The short wool fibers roll up into little balls, usually at stress points such as armpits or sleeves.
Is pilling a sign of poor quality?
No, certainly not. In fact: soft, high-quality wool like merino or cashmere actually pills faster. It simply belongs to the fabric characteristics, so those pills are just part of it.
What is the best way to remove pills?
Nothing is as tempting as sitting down to pick at them during your favorite Netflix series. But please, DON'T DO IT! Use a fabric shaver with care, such as the Gleener fabric shaver. Never pull them with your fingers, as that damages the wool and ensures the pilling process continues over and over again.
How often should I de-pill my sweater?
In the beginning, perhaps a bit more often (new sweaters shed loose fibers), afterward much less. It depends on how often you wear it. Some materials also pill more than others, so see what works best for your favorite wool sweater.
