A guide to debobbling your cashmere knitwear

Why does cashmere bobble?

Bobbles, or pills, are small balls of loose fibre that form where a knit rubs against itself or something else. Cashmere fibres are fine and relatively short (depending on quality), so the loose ends work their way to the surface and tangle together. You'll usually see them under the arms, on the cuffs, sides and wherever a bag strap sits.

Pilling doesn't mean a jumper is poor quality. Even the best cashmere bobbles, especially in its first few wears as the shortest fibres shed. The good news is that removing bobbles carefully leaves the knit looking close to new, and it gets easier each time.

This guide covers the main ways to debobble cashmere: combs, rakes, electric shavers and a few other methods, with what each is best for.

1. Cashmere combs

A cashmere comb is a small, fine-toothed comb, usually wood or plastic with metal teeth, that catches pills and lifts them off the surface. It's the most popular hand tool for cashmere because it's gentle, cheap and needs no power.

How to use a cashmere comb

1. Lay the jumper flat on a table with no folds or creases under the area you're working on.
2. Hold the fabric taut with one hand.
3. Glide the comb in short, light strokes in one direction, following the knit.
4. Clear the comb of fluff every few strokes so it keeps catching.
5. Work in sections, checking as you go. Stop once the bobbles are gone rather than combing the whole garment.

Best for: fine and mid-weight knits, regular upkeep, and anyone who wants full control.

Watch out for: pressing too hard. Heavy strokes pull out healthy fibres and thin the knit over time.

Discover our Beechwood Cashmere Comb here.

2. Pilling rakes and debobbling brushes

A pilling rake (sometimes called a sweater rake or knitwear brush) has a wider head than a comb, often with a fine metal mesh or short wire bristles set into a wooden handle. It covers more ground in each stroke, which makes it quicker on the body and back of a jumper.

How to use a rake

1. Lay the garment flat and smooth it out.
2. Brush lightly in one direction. Let the tool's weight do the work.
3. Lift the rake off at the end of each stroke rather than dragging it back.
4. Tap out or brush off the collected fluff regularly.

Best for: larger, flatter areas and chunkier knits where a comb feels slow.

Watch out for: coarse or stiff bristles on fine-gauge or loose-knit cashmere. Test on an inside seam first, and switch to a comb for delicate or loosely knitted pieces.

3. Electric fabric shavers (debobblers)

An electric fabric shaver has small rotating blades behind a perforated guard. Bobbles poke through the holes and get trimmed off into a collection chamber. It's the fastest way to debobble a heavily pilled jumper.

How to use an electric debobbler

1. Check the blades are clean and the battery is charged. A weak motor tugs rather than cuts.
2. Lay the jumper flat on a hard surface, with no seams or buttons underneath.
3. Move the shaver in small, slow circles with almost no pressure.
4. Keep it flat against the fabric. Tilting it lets the blades bite into the knit.
5. Avoid seams, ribbing and any loose or thin areas.
6. Empty the lint chamber often.

Best for: heavy pilling, thicker knits, and getting through several garments quickly.

Watch out for: holes. A shaver can't tell a bobble from a raised stitch, so it's riskier on fine-gauge, textured or loose knits. If your shaver has an adjustable guard, use the highest setting on cashmere.

4. Other ways to remove bobbles from cashmere

Sweater stone. A block of lightweight pumice-like stone that you stroke gently across the surface. The rough texture grips pills and rolls them away. It works well on mid to heavy knits but can be too abrasive for very fine cashmere, so go lightly.

By hand. For a handful of bobbles, simply pinch each one and pull it away gently. It's slow, but it's the safest method for a delicate or much-loved piece.

Lint roller or tape. Useful for picking up the loose fluff after combing or shaving. It won't remove bobbles that are still attached.

What to avoid: disposable razors (very easy to cut the knit), Velcro, rough kitchen sponges, and pressing hard with any tool.

Which debobbling method is best for cashmere?

For most cashmere, a comb is the safest everyday choice; save an electric shaver for heavy pilling on thicker knits.

How to prevent and slowdown cashmere bobbling

You can't stop pilling completely, but you can slow it down a lot.

• Wash less, and gently. Hand wash in cool water with a wool or cashmere detergent, or use a delicate wool cycle with the jumper inside out.
• Don't wring it. Press water out, roll the jumper in a towel, then dry it flat away from direct heat.
• Rest between wears. Giving a jumper a day or two off lets the fibres recover.
• Watch what rubs. Bag straps, rough coats and desk edges cause most bobbles in the same few spots.
• Fold, don't hang. Hanging stretches the shoulders. Store folded, with cedar or lavender to deter moths.
• Debobble little and often. A quick comb every few wears is gentler than a big session once a season.

Debobbling cashmere: FAQs

Does debobbling damage cashmere? Used gently, no. Every method removes a few fibres, which is why light pressure and debobbling only when needed matter most.

Can I use an electric shaver on cashmere? Yes, with care. Keep it flat, use no pressure, avoid seams, and choose a comb instead for fine or open knits.

Will my cashmere stop pilling eventually? Often, yes. Pilling is usually heaviest early on, as the shortest fibres work loose, and tends to ease over time, especially with higher quality cashmere.

Is a cashmere comb or a sweater stone better? A comb is gentler and suits most cashmere. A stone works faster on thicker knits but can be too rough for fine-gauge pieces.

How often should I debobble? Whenever you notice pills, usually every few wears in high-friction areas. Little and often is kinder to the knit.

Keeping cashmere in use for longer

A few bobbles are a sign of a jumper that's being worn and loved, not one that's past its best. With a comb and five minutes, most cashmere looks smart again.

At Second Cashmere, every piece stock is secondhand cashmere that has been given a new life. Looking after your knitwear, and debobbling it when it needs it, is one of the simplest ways to keep good fibre in use and out of landfill.

Browse our collections of secondhand Women's Cashmere and Men's Cashmere.