Use a fabric shaver to spruce up your old clothes

One of the most effective ways to lower the impact of clothing is simply to use garments longer before replacing them. Not only does it save money, but research by the NGO WRAP shows that extending clothing lifespan by nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20%, saving £5 billion annually.

This means buying durable, high-quality clothes is important. But you can also extend the life of your existing clothes. A lot of clothing gets replaced not because it’s damaged, but because it looks worn. Pilling can make perfectly usable clothes feel old long before the fabric itself is finished. In these cases, using a fabric shaver can help older clothes stay wearable and visually appealing for longer, reducing textile waste.

Fabric shavers are a surprisingly effective way to refresh older clothes, and relatively low-effort compared to other forms of mending and upcycling. They’re handheld tools that remove pilling and fuzz from sweaters, hoodies, sweatpants, coats, and other fabrics, helping clothes look newer again in just a few minutes. They also work well on blankets, upholstered furniture, and even some car interiors. I initially got mine for upholstery, but I use it frequently on my clothes.

You can find both manual shavers as well as plug-in and battery-powered ones in a range of sizes. Many have special settings for different fabric types. Because it’s an inexpensive and reusable tool, it can pay for itself quickly if it helps save even one or two items from being replaced.

Fabric shavers can be manual or electric depending on your needs | Source: The Spruce

Here are a few options to consider:

• The Conair fabric shaver is cheap and highly rated
• Amazon’s $12 battery-operated shaver is another affordable option
• The Gleener Fabric Shaver & Lint Brush is a widely-recommended manual option

If you want to make things super-easy, look for a rechargeable or battery-powered fabric shaver. To get the hang of the tool, start with sweaters, joggers, scarves, or coats with visible pilling, and remember to use gentle pressure on delicate fabrics. Empty the lint compartment regularly to keep it running smoothly. Your old clothes will be good as new in no time.