I'm bringing my old clothes back to life with this quirky $30 device

Conair Fabric Shaver

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Conair Fabric Shaver is a $30 device that keeps your old clothes looking new.
• I used it on a well-worn sweater and it cleaned it up in a pinch.
• I wish it worked a little faster.

$29.65 at Amazon

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I have trouble getting rid of clothing. In my closet, I have skirts from high school (over 10 years ago) and my fair share of hand-me-downs. I operate under the assumption that everything I own – whether currently in style or not – will eventually be back in style. Why get rid of it? 

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That doesn’t mean most of the clothing I own is in tip-top shape, though I have made resolutions to care for it better. One of the ways I’m doing so this year is by refreshing my raggedy sweaters with this Conair fabric shaver, an inexpensive gadget that is surprisingly efficient at improving the way my clothes look. 

Like long hair that has grown out without a chop from the hairdresser, sweaters become tangly and develop pills (those tiny fabric spheres that cling to your shirt) after several wears. Because I hate wearing things that look old and worn, I’ve neglected these sweaters due to the pilly buildup. 

Thankfully, I purchased the fabric shaver during a recent sale, and it’s already worked wonders on a sweater I haven’t worn in over two years. 

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The fabric shaver can be plugged into an outlet or, once fully charged, used wirelessly. 

Initially, I swiftly moved the fabric shaver around my sweater as one would an iron. But to get the most out of this device, you’ll need to keep it over the pilly area, moving in a circular motion for several seconds for a proper shave. 

It took around half an hour to do some major rehabilitation on my sweater. This was an especially pilly sweater, so I’d imagine it would take less time on other garments. I can confidently say I’m going to wear it now — and I wouldn’t have said that before today. 

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I’ll argue that most people are too eager to get rid of their clothing. They see a stain on a white shirt and choose to throw it out instead of bleach it, and they see a lint-filled sweater and take it to their thrift store instead of shaving it. You can get much more use out of your wardrobe if you care for the things you own, and a $30 device isn’t too expensive to stop you from doing that. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

I’d recommend Conair’s fabric shaver and lint remover to anyone looking to get more mileage out of the clothing sitting in their closet. It makes sweaters and other garments look new — and is a cheap way to breathe new life into old clothes. 

Seeing as it went on sale for $12 off the $30 asking price during Presidents’ Day, I’m sure this is a product that regular gets marked down if you want to purchase it for less than $30.