A fleece that's been worn and washed many times often develops small bobbles of fibre across the surface, especially under the arms and along areas that rub against other clothing. This pilling doesn't mean the fleece is worn out, but it does make it look considerably older and scruffier than it actually is. A little attention with the right tool can make a real difference.
The fleece is laid out flat on a table, giving a clear, well-lit view of the whole surface before starting. Working on a flat surface rather than while the fleece is being worn makes it far easier to see exactly where the pilling is worst.
Comb the surface gently and in one direction
A fabric comb is drawn across the surface in short, gentle strokes, always following the same direction rather than working back and forth. This lifts the loose bobbles away from the fabric without pulling too hard on the fibres underneath.
The comb should be cleared of collected fluff regularly during the process, since a clogged comb quickly becomes far less effective. Working in manageable sections, rather than trying to cover the whole fleece in one long pass, gives a more even result.
Once the front has been done, the fleece is turned over and the back given the same treatment, since pilling often builds up there too from contact with bags or car seats. A final light shake removes any loose fibres left sitting on the surface.
With the pilling removed, an old fleece looks noticeably smarter and feels smoother against the skin once again. The whole process takes only a short while but extends the useful life of a garment that's otherwise still warm and perfectly wearable. Repeating this every so often keeps pilling from building up too heavily between sessions.
