How you remove bobbles from clothes with a fabric shaver

Freshening your clothes and removing bobbles by using a fabric shaver is easier than you think. Below is a guide that shows you how.

Text: Mimmi Ljungblad
Photos: Ted Olsson

Published 2022-01-01

How to use a fabric shaver:

STEP 1. CLEANING THE FABRIC SHAVER

Begin by making sure that the machine is properly cleaned, remove all lint and old shaved fabric.

STEP 2. PREPARE THE GARMENT

Place the garment on a flat, clean and dry surface.

STEP 3. REMOVE THE BOBBLES

Press the on/off button and begin by slowly hovering the machine over the garment. Increase the pressure slowly, but don’t push the machine into the garment.

STEP 4. EMPTY THE FABRIC SHAVER

If you fabric shave a garment with many bobbles, then it is important to check if the machine gets full and then try to empty the catcher at regular intervals. This is clearly noticeable when the appliance starts to work more slowly, or switches itself off.

WHAT IS A FABRIC SHAVER?

A fabric shaver is an appliance that effectively removes bobbles from textile surfaces. Since today, in our range, we only choose to offer the fabric shaver from Steamery, this guide will be based on the model Pilo Fabric Shaver.

HOW DOES A FABRIC SHAVER WORK?

There are three precision razor blades in this model. These are covered by a metal cover with many holes which you slowly drag along the surface of the fabric, without forcing it into the fabric. The high frequency reduces the risk of bobbles and fluff getting stuck in the fabric shaver membrane. In other words, you can feel safe, even when you use it on your finer garments.

THIS IS HOW YOU CLEAN YOUR FABRIC SHAVER

If you feel like the fabric shaver isn’t working as fast and as effectively as it normally does, or if it doesn’t start, even if the battery light is green, then the catcher needs to be emptied. Begin by unscrewing the plastic ring around the metal cover, then you can lift the metal cover carefully off. Be mindful that metal cover is protecting the sharp razor blades. When the razor blades are showing, you should be careful. When the catcher has been made visible, you can remove the contents with the help of a small brush. Then replace the parts properly.

WHICH MATERIAL CAN I USE THE FABRIC SHAVER ON?

The short answer is all kinds of materials. However, it is important to test the fabric shaver in a smaller area that is less visible at first, and not to press the front against the material as the razor blades risk accessing the fabric and not just the bobbles. Feel free to use the fabric shaver on furniture fabrics, but start from the same principle. For delicate materials such as cashmere, we recommend carefully cleaning the fabric with a clothing brush from Kent Brushes.