Washing and drying cashmere
How to care for fine cashmere wool
Cashmere wool is one of the most precious types of wool in the world. It is characterised by its cosy warmth and silky-soft feel. The lightweight fibres captivate with their elegant appearance and make every cashmere jumper a highlight of your winter wardrobe. However, this fine wool also requires special care. We’ll show you how to wash and care for cashmere so that you can enjoy your cashmere garments for a long time to come.
Washing cashmere: how to wash cashmere in the washing machine
In principle, there is no problem with washing cashmere in the washing machine. However, as cashmere wool is very delicate, there are two important things to bear in mind when machine washing to ensure your cashmere garments do not shrink and remain beautifully soft: wash cashmere exclusively on a delicate or wool cycle at a low temperature. These special wash programmes clean delicate fibres such as cashmere particularly gently. You should also use a wool or mild detergent, which gently cleans and protects the wool.
Checklist: Washing cashmere in the washing machine
Use the wool or delicate cycle.
Select the lowest possible wash temperature (max. 30° C).
Set the spin cycle to the lowest possible speed (max. 400 to 600 rpm)
Only half-fill the washing machine.
Turn cashmere garments inside out before washing.
Do not wash cashmere together with garments that have buttons or zips, or with heavy fabrics such as denim or corduroy.
Use a laundry bag for better protection of the fibres.
Warning: When washing cashmere, never use chemical detergents, heavy-duty detergents containing bleach or fabric softener. These can cause the fine cashmere fibres to felt or become damaged.
Tip: How to make cashmere soft again
Does your cashmere jumper no longer feel luxuriously soft? Simply put any items of clothing made of cashmere into a freezer bag and then pop it into the freezer for two days. This will help the material to soften up and your cashmere clothes will be nice and soft again.
How to handwash cashmere
Generally speaking, it is advisable to wash cashmere in the washing machine. However, if you do not have a washing machine with a suitable delicate cycle, you can also wash your cashmere garments by hand:
For handwashing, prepare lukewarm water and add a little wool detergent or a mild shampoo.
Clean your cashmere garment gently, without rubbing or brushing the fabric too hard.
Rinse everything thoroughly with clean water.
Finally, gently squeeze the cashmere jumper (do not wring it out!) and wrap it carefully in a towel to gently press the excess water out of the fibres.
Cashmere care: when or how often should you wash cashmere?
Cashmere is not only a very fine type of wool, but the fine fibres also have some very unique properties in comparison to other materials used for clothes. Cashmere is naturally odour and dirt repellent, thus more hard-wearing for everyday use. Therefore, you can just put your cashmere jumper outside to air it out after wearing it to remove any odours. It is recommended to avoid washing cashmere too often as this will help make it longer lasting. You should wash cashmere clothes after you have worn them around four times.
After wearing cashmere clothes leave them for around 24 hours as this gives the fine fibres time to go back to their original shape. This will help to keep your jumper feeling luxuriously soft.
Drying cashmere: how to gently dry cashmere clothes
After you have washed any cashmere clothes you should then handle them with care. Don’t wring or shake cashmere as the fibres become quite delicate after washing. The best way to dry cashmere is to spread it out on a towel and leave it at room temperature. You can turn the clothes over from time to time. Avoid hanging cashmere out in the sun or on a radiator to dry as this can cause cashmere clothes to lose their shape.
Storing cashmere: the best way to store cashmere
Cashmere needs to be kept in a dark, dry place. You should therefore store cashmere garments in a wardrobe rather than on open shelves. You should also make sure to always store cashmere flat, so that the delicate fibres do not become misshapen. It is best to fold your cashmere jumpers loosely and not squeeze them between other, heavy items of clothing. Ideally, cashmere garments should always be placed at the very top of the laundry pile.
In summer, it is best to store cashmere in an airtight storage box. Here too, it is important to place the garments loosely inside and not to crush them. Moth-repellent paper, lavender sachets or a long-lasting moth repellent made of cedar wood will protect your cashmere garments from insect infestation.
Ironing cashmere: here is how to gently iron cashmere
Does cashmere need to be ironed? Most cashmere clothes do not crease and therefore do not need to be ironed. However, if you have cashmere clothes that need to be ironed, you should make sure that the iron is on a low heat. It’s recommended to use a wool or silk setting on the iron. In addition, putting a cloth between the iron and the garment will help to protect the fine cashmere fibres whilst ironing.
Keeping cashmere clean: the best way to remove any stains
A moment's carelessness and oops you’ve got a stain on your cashmere jumper. Having a stain on cashmere clothes can be frustrating, but it is usually quite easy to clean. To remove the stain from cashmere, you can put a drop of shampoo containing no harsh chemicals on it and then pop it into the washing machine on a suitable wash programme as described above. It is important to treat the stain as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can leave the stain removal to professionals and take your cashmere clothes to a dry-cleaning service.
Cashmere & pilling: how do I deal with pilling?
Cashmere is made from the undercoat of cashmere goats, and it is a delicate product made from real hair. Pilling is unavoidable and it is also a sign that your cashmere clothes are made out of a high quality and pure fabric.
You can use special cashmere combs to help prevent pilling. These carefully remove any bobbles without damaging the delicate cashmere fabric. Do not pull, cut or pluck off any of the bobbles on cashmere clothes as this could damage the fine fibres. Fabric shavers are also not a suitable alternative because they can cause ladders.
However, pilling in cashmere will become less and less after two or three washes.
Conclusion: gentle cleaning to care for your cashmere garments
With the right care, you’ll enjoy your fine cashmere garments for a long time to come. It’s crucial to treat cashmere as gently as possible. Ideally, wash your cashmere garments on a wool cycle at low temperatures and use a special detergent for delicates or wool. Avoid vigorous rubbing, high spin speeds and exposure to heat so as not to damage the delicate fibres. When drying, you should lay the cashmere flat to help it retain its shape. This will preserve the luxurious look as well as the material’s dirt-repellent and odour-resistant properties for many years to come.
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