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How to Stop Clothes From Pilling: Wash Them This Way Instead

Friction in the wash pulls fibers into pills. Turn knits inside out, wash gently in a mesh bag and dry low to keep sweaters, socks and sheets smooth.

By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read

Time
No extra time
Cost
Under $20
Difficulty
Easy
A gray knit sweater sleeve covered in small fuzz balls with a folded sweater beside it on a wooden table
In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Free vs. permanent fix
  3. What you'll need
  4. Why it happens
  5. Try this first (free)
  6. When free fixes aren't enough
  7. Buy the fix
  8. Why do my sweaters pill so fast? Why do my sweaters keep pilling?
  9. How to stop sweaters from pilling in the wash (and from getting fuzzy)
  10. How to stop bed sheets from pilling (and socks and towels too)
  11. What to skip
  12. FAQ
  13. Related problems

Quick answer

How to stop clothes from pilling: wash them inside out on a gentle, cold cycle, keep knits and sheets away from jeans, towels and zippers, and dry them on low or flat. Pilling is friction pulling short fibers into balls. A set of mesh laundry wash bags for delicates cuts that friction for sweaters, socks and pillowcases.

Free fix vs. permanent fix

Free fix · No extra time

Inside out, gentle cycle, sorted loads

  • Turn knits and socks inside out
  • Use the gentle cycle in cold water
  • Wash soft fabrics away from jeans and towels
  • Dry on low heat or lay flat

How long it lasts: Slows pilling on every wash. Pills already on the fabric stay until you remove them.

Most readers choose Permanent fix
Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates (illustration)
Illustration

Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates

Pills form when fibers rub on other fabrics and the drum. A mesh bag adds a barrier, so a sweater or sock tumbles against mesh instead of zippers and jeans. Inside out and gentle cycle still matter. The bag adds protection on top.

How long it lasts: Years. A zippered mesh bag keeps each item from rubbing on the rest of the load.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you'll need

  • Our pick
    Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates (illustration)
    Illustration

    Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates

    Large for sweaters, small for socks

    Check price

  • Flat drying rack or clean towel

    Dry knits flat. Hanging stretches them

    You have it

  • Mild detergent

    Use a little. Heavy dosing leaves residue

    You have it
  • Fabric shaver or sweater comb (illustration)
    Illustration

    Fabric shaver or sweater comb

    Removes pills you already have

    Check price

Why it happens

1

Friction in the washer

Fibers rub on other clothes and the drum. Short loose fibers pull free and knot into pills.

2

Washing with rough items

Jeans, zippers, hook-and-loop strips and towels scrape knits and sheets. One zipper can roughen a whole sweater.

3

Short or blended fibers

Wool, cashmere and cotton knits have short surface fibers that work loose easily. In polyester blends, the pills hold on instead of falling off.

4

Hot water, long cycles and high heat

Heavy cycles and a hot dryer rough up fibers faster.

5

Everyday rubbing

Bag straps, seat belts, underarms and the mattress all rub fabric as you wear and sleep.

Try this first (free)

Do these in order, starting with the simplest.

  1. 1. Sort by texture

    Wash knits, sheets and socks apart from jeans, towels and anything with zippers or hook-and-loop strips. Close zippers and fasten hooks.

  2. 2. Turn them inside out

    Pills form on the outside surface, so turn sweaters, leggings and socks inside out. Do the same for pillowcases.

  3. 3. Use a mesh bag

    Tool used: Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates

    Put each sweater, or a few pairs of socks, in a zippered mesh bag. Do not stuff it, so water can move through.

    Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates · Large for sweaters, small for socks

    Check price on Amazon

  4. 4. Pick gentle, cold and a light load

    Tool used: Mild detergent

    Use the delicate or wool cycle in cold water, and leave room in the drum. Use a little detergent. Extra soap leaves residue and keeps fibers loose.

  5. 5. Dry low or flat

    Tool used: Flat drying rack or clean towel

    Skip high heat. Lay sweaters flat on a clean towel or rack, and tumble sheets and socks on low.

  6. 6. Remove pills the right way

    Tool used: Fabric shaver or sweater comb

    Do not pull pills off by hand, which tugs more fibers loose. Lay the garment flat and use a fabric shaver or sweater comb with light strokes.

    Fabric shaver or sweater comb (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Fabric shaver or sweater comb · Removes pills you already have

    Check price on Amazon

When free fixes aren't enough

If a sweater pills again after a few washes in a bag on a gentle cycle, the fabric itself is the issue. Short-fiber wool, loose-knit cotton and polyester blends pill with any wear, and no wash method stops it fully. For those, remove pills now and then and expect it. Mesh bags earn their price on sweaters and socks, which pill fastest in mixed loads. For cashmere or a favorite sweater, hand wash in cool water.

Buy the fix

Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.

Our picks compared
PickProductFixesWho it's forBuy
Best pick
Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates (illustration)
Illustration
Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates
friction between delicates and the rest of the load Anyone who washes sweaters, socks, leggings or pillowcases in mixed loads. Check price
Upgrade pick
Fabric shaver or sweater comb (illustration)
Illustration
Fabric shaver or sweater comb
pills already on sweaters, throws and sheets Anyone with a pile of pilled knits to rescue. Check price
Best pick
Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates (illustration)
Illustration

Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates

Fixes: friction between delicates and the rest of the load

Look for: Fine mesh with a smooth zipper that stays shut; A set with large and small sizes; Sturdy seams that will not tear in the spin.

Who it's for
Anyone who washes sweaters, socks, leggings or pillowcases in mixed loads.
Honest downside
You wash only one soft item at a time. Inside out on a gentle cycle is enough.
Check price on Amazon
Upgrade pick
Fabric shaver or sweater comb (illustration)
Illustration

Fabric shaver or sweater comb

Fixes: pills already on sweaters, throws and sheets

Look for: Adjustable height or a guard so it does not cut the knit; A lint chamber that is easy to empty; Fast to charge, or a comb that needs no power.

Who it's for
Anyone with a pile of pilled knits to rescue.
Honest downside
The knit is very loose or delicate. Use a sweater comb with light strokes instead.
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.

How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on garment care guides from clothing makers, washer manuals, and what owners report about pilling and mesh bags. We do not test products by hand.

Why do my sweaters pill so fast? Why do my sweaters keep pilling?

Short fibers are the usual answer. Wool and cashmere have fine surface fibers, so a wool sweater or cashmere sweater pilling in its first few wears is normal. If you ask why do my sweaters pill so much, look at where: when a sweater keeps pilling at the underarms, sides or under a bag strap, it is being rubbed there. In acrylic or polyester blends, the pills hold on instead of falling away, so a sweater that gets fuzz balls quickly often has synthetic fiber in it.

How to stop sweaters from pilling in the wash (and from getting fuzzy)

  • Turn the sweater inside out and put it in a mesh bag.
  • Use the wool or delicate cycle in cold water, or hand wash.
  • Do not wash it with jeans, towels or anything with a zipper.
  • Dry flat. A hot dryer is the fastest way to get fuzzy.

To prevent a sweater from getting fuzz balls in the first place, wash it less often and air it out between wears.

How to stop bed sheets from pilling (and socks and towels too)

  • How to stop bed sheets from pilling: wash them alone in cold water with a little detergent, and dry on low.
  • How to stop socks from pilling: turn them inside out and put pairs in a small mesh bag.
  • How to stop towels from pilling: wash them apart from clothes, skip softener and dry on medium.

What to skip

Pulling pills by hand and hot washes

Pulling pills tugs more fibers loose, so more pills form. Scissors can snip the knit. Hot washes and a high-heat dryer roughen fibers faster. Use a shaver or comb and wash cold.

Frequently asked questions

Do mesh bags really stop pilling?
They lower friction but cannot make a pill-prone fabric pill-proof. Use one item per bag, zip it and do not overstuff. Pair it with inside out and a gentle cycle for the best result.
Why is my cashmere sweater pilling? Is it a bad sweater?
Cashmere has fine, short fibers, so early pilling is normal. Remove the first round with a sweater comb. It often slows down after that. Hand wash in cool water and dry flat.
Why are my bed sheets pilling? Bed sheets keep pilling
Sheets pill from friction with your body and the mattress, and from rubbing in the washer and dryer. Polyester blends and short-fiber cotton pill most. Wash them alone in cold water with a little detergent, and dry on low.
Why is my wool sweater pilling after one wash? My sweater keeps pilling
A new wool sweater often pills in the first few washes as loose short fibers work free. That is normal and usually settles. Remove the pills with a sweater comb, wash inside out in a mesh bag, and dry flat. If it keeps pilling after that, the yarn is short-fiber or blended. Never pull pills off by hand, which tugs more fibers loose.
Towel keeps pilling. How to stop towels from pilling?
Towels rub on each other and on other laundry, and softener coats the fibers. Wash them alone, skip softener, and dry on medium. A fabric shaver can clear pills on towels too.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure

Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates (illustration)
Illustration

Our pick: Mesh laundry wash bags for delicates

Check price