Pilling on jumpers is a real bugbear.
Most often found under the arms, along the side seams, or, in the worst cases, simply all over after a couple of washes, the tiny bobbles instantly make knitwear look worn out and tired.
While a pure fabric tends to less easily succumb to the irksome fluff than blended, no fibres are completely safe - even the holy grail, cashmere, can’t fully fight the fuzz (yelp!).
Enter the fabric shaver, the easy solution that will maintain your clothes so they always stay looking as fresh as the day you bought them. Better yet, you can use them on the likes of bedding and furniture, too, so your interiors stay just as sharp as your wardrobe.
From traditional manual cashmere combs to automatic electric shavers, we’ve researched the best on the market so you, and your knits, are left looking your best.
Best fabric shavers at a glance
- Best for overall performance: Steamery Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver, £55, John Lewis
- Best for interiors: Liphier Rechargeable Fabric Shaver Lint Remover, £24.99, Amazon
- Best for battery-powered: Philips Fabric Shaver - bobble remover for clothes, £9.98, Amazon
- Best for value for money: Homeasy Fabric Shaver Lint Remover 2 in 1, £12.99, Amazon
- Best for substantial pilling: Cosicosy Rechargeable Lint Remover Debobbler, £19.99, Amazon
- Best for delicates: Gleener Fuzz Remover 2 in 1 Clothes De-Piller and Lint Brush, £19.99, Lakeland
- Best for cashmere: The White Company Beech Wood Pilling Comb, £8, The White Company
Electric
Steamery Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver
Best for: overall performance
As a brand that was founded for clothing care, Steamery is a go-to for garment maintenance.
With a sleek design, this shaver is an electric option that features six precision blades which gently yet effectively remove lint and bobbles. Not only is it rechargeable, but it’s also super easy to use.
Buy now £55.00, John Lewis
Liphier Rechargeable Fabric Shaver Lint Remover
Best for: interiors
Treat your home to a makeover with Liphier’s double-headed shaver. Ultra-efficient, it works well for blankets, carpets and cushions.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Philips Fabric Shaver - bobble remover for clothes
Best for: battery-powered
For a shaver that’s cheap, cheerful and also reliable, Philips has you covered. With an adjustable blade, a removable pill container and a cleaning brush, it ticks all of the boxes.
Buy now £9.98, Amazon
Homeasy Fabric Shaver Lint Remover 2 in 1
Best for: value for money
In a jolly green design, Homeeasy’s rechargeable shaver features a powerful three-blade construction and a manual lint brush on the back to keep you looking pristine post-debobble. For just £15.99, it’s a no-brainer.
Buy now £13.96, Amazon
Cosicosy Rechargeable Lint Remover Debobbler
Best for: substantial pilling
Larger in size, Cosicosy’s green-hue de-bobbler is perfect for larger garments that have experienced substantial pilling - and the iron-like handle upgrades the entire experience.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Manual
Gleener Fuzz Remover 2 in 1 Clothes De-Piller and Lint Brush
Best for: delicates
If using an electric style is too much for you, Lakeland’s fuzz-removing brush offers a more gentle approach. It may take you longer, but it’s certainly a more eco-friendly option. And, with a lint brush included, it’s essentially a buy one get one free!
Buy now £19.99, Gleener
The White Company Beech Wood Pilling Comb
Best for: cashmere
To help your cashmere pieces last longer and look fresher, a pilling comb is a great option that removes fluff in the least vigorous way. Our favourite is The White Company’s wooden design.
Buy now £8.00, The White Company
Clothes/Lint Brush and Cashmere Comb
Keep a trusty brush on standby for when you need a quick cashmere spruce up. This brush can be used to clean cashmere, wool, velvet and suede, making it the perfect pick for pet owners or parents prone to muck. The lint brush bristles are made from wild boar hair that gently lifts fibres or hair from clothing, ensuring you look camera-ready at all times.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
