This Fuzz-Busting Gadget Is the Key to Keeping Your Clothes Looking Brand-New

Of all the tools in my clothing-care arsenal, the Homeasy Fabric Shaver delivers the biggest impact. For those who aren’t already familiar with this marvelous gadget: A fabric shaver is a motorized handheld device that uses rotating blades, concealed behind a protective mesh cover, to safely slash through and suction up unsightly fluff. To use it, simply lay your garment flat, turn on the shaver, and glide its head over the pilled surface while gently pulling the fabric taut. Then watch, in delight, as tired, fuzzy wardrobe rejects transform into like-new style standbys.

There was a time when I would have said that any fabric shaver would do. But that was before I got my hands on the Homeasy model. It has six whirring blades—rather than the typical three—so it’s especially good at removing stubborn pills. Its head is considerably wider than most, so it covers more area in less time and helps to smooth out the section of fabric that you’re working on. And unlike battery-powered options, which are annoying to maintain, the rechargeable Homeasy shaver doesn’t require you to keep a stash of AAs on hand. Its digital display clearly indicates how much battery it has left, and a full charge will last for three to six hours, depending on which of the three speed settings you use. Even I can’t de-pill for that long.

The Homeasy shaver can work on most fabrics, particularly synthetic materials, which hold on to pills more stubbornly than natural fibers do. The main offenders in many wardrobes are garments such as yoga pants, sweatshirts, and—of course—sweaters.

My sister, who bought the Homeasy shaver as soon as she read about it in our guide to cheap(ish) laundry aids, is now an initiate into the cult of sweater shaving. “It’s one of the joys of fall,” she gushed. “[The Homeasy shaver] has never caused any rips or noticeable fabric thinning. And I love how it vacuums away fluff, so it does the job of a lint roller, too.”

You can also use it on lighter knits. “It really brightens up cotton and jersey garments,” reports Wirecutter supervising editor Hannah Morrill. “One of my favorite ways to use it is for the light pilling on my daughter’s leggings.”

I’d be remiss not to mention that the Homeasy shaver isn’t just for clothes; I use mine on home textiles like couch cushions, throw blankets, and pillow covers, too. If it’s made of (or covered in) fabric—and a little snag wouldn’t break your heart—you can fabric-shave it.

Speaking of potential snags, keep in mind that experts don’t recommend using motorized fabric shavers on delicate items like cashmere sweaters—they’re so effective at cutting through fluff that they can thin out finer fabrics, which leads to holes. Instead, for those pieces, use a cashmere comb, which is gentler though more labor-intensive. (That said, I’m such a daredevil that I’ve used the Homeasy shaver on cashmere anyway, with great results. Just go slow, keep the fabric flat, and don’t press too hard.)

I’ve been made fun of for my devotion to my fabric shaver, but hear me out. It’s more than just a (breathtakingly effective, ruthlessly efficient) gadget. It’s irresistible ASMR, clearing forests of pills with a pleasant hum. It’s self-care, of the caliber that could easily serve as the main event for a night in. In a pinch, you could even repurpose the futuristic-looking Homeasy shaver as a prop in a community-theater sci-fi production.

Most of all: It offers the smug satisfaction of holding on to cheap clothes years past their expiration dates. Take that, fast fashion.

This article was edited by Rachelle Bergstein and Catherine Kast.