How It Works

Three minutes, and a jumper looks new

Pilling is not damage. When fabric rubs against fabric — a sleeve against a bag strap, a coat against a seatbelt — loose fibres work their way to the surface and tangle into little balls. The weave underneath is completely intact. It just stopped looking that way.

A fabric shaver cuts those balls off flush with the surface and catches them in a chamber. That is the whole mechanism.

Using it

1. Charge it first

Give it a full charge before the first use. It is rechargeable, so there are no batteries to keep buying.

2. Choose your height

This is the step people skip, and it is the one that matters. The height setting controls how far the blades sit from the fabric.

  • Lowest — cashmere, merino, fine knits, anything you would hand wash
  • Middle — everyday jumpers, cardigans, cotton and acrylic blends
  • Highest — coats, blankets, throws, upholstery, anything thick or textured

When in doubt, start low. You can always go up. You cannot undo a pass that was too aggressive.

3. Lay it flat and hold it taut

Put the garment on a flat surface. Loose fabric can get pulled into the head; taut fabric cannot. If you are working on a sofa or a fitted sheet, smooth the area with your free hand as you go.

4. Slow circles, no pressure

Move in slow, overlapping circles. Do not press down — the blades do the cutting, your hand just guides them. Pressing harder does not remove more, it just risks catching the weave.

5. Empty the chamber

The lint chamber fills faster than you would expect on a badly pilled piece. Tip it into the bin when it is around three quarters full — an overfull chamber makes the head less effective.

What to use it on

Jumpers, cardigans, coats, scarves, leggings, blankets, throws, cushion covers, sofas, armchairs, car seats, pet beds, and the inside of a bag lining that has started to bobble.

What to avoid

  • Loose weave and open knit — anything you can see through. The blades can catch a thread.
  • Anything with a snag or pull already — fix the snag first, or you will make it bigger.
  • Delicate lace, sequins, beading and embroidery — work around them, not over them.
  • Damp fabric — always let a garment dry fully first.

One habit worth building

Test on a hidden area first — an inside hem, the underside of a cushion. Thirty seconds of testing has saved a lot of jumpers.