How to Remove Bobbles from a Blanket or Throw

Blankets and throws get heavy use — draped over sofas, used daily, washed regularly — and pill faster than almost any other fabric item in your home. A bobbly blanket that looked cosy when you bought it can look worn out within a year.

The good news: it's completely reversible, and it takes less than 5 minutes.

Why blankets bobble so badly

Most blankets are made from acrylic, polyester fleece, or wool blends — all fabrics that pill heavily. The combination of heavy use (constant friction from movement), frequent washing, and the large surface area means pills accumulate fast. Acrylic blankets in particular can become visibly pilled within just a few washes.

The fastest method: electric fabric shaver on Speed 3

Lay the blanket flat on a bed or large table. Set LintGone Pro to Speed 3 — the highest setting designed for heavy fabrics. Work in slow, overlapping strokes across the surface. The 6 floating blades cover area quickly and catch every pill in a single pass.

Empty the lint chamber when it gets full — on a heavily pilled blanket this can happen once or twice during the session. A standard throw takes 3–5 minutes. A large double blanket 8–10 minutes.

What about delicate or wool blankets?

For fine wool or cashmere throws, use Speed 1 instead. The lower speed is gentler on delicate fibres while still removing pills effectively. Always test on a small corner first if you're unsure about the fabric.

How to keep blankets pill-free for longer

• Wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C
• Avoid tumble drying acrylic blankets — the heat accelerates pilling
• Wash inside a large mesh laundry bag if it fits
• Run the fabric shaver every couple of months as maintenance — catching pills while they're small is much faster than dealing with heavy buildup