GBP
Correct washing is an important cashmere care skill for several reasons. It helps to maintain the fabric's softness, shape and overall longevity. It's also important to give your cashmere garments a proper wash from time to time, as though your sweater may not look dirty, traces of food, dust, skin and hair can still hide between the fibres and increase the chance of attracting moths and ruining your favourite cashmere sweaters.
Improper washing carries all sorts of risks, from shrinking and piling to a loss of integrity to the cashmere fibers which can damage the garment permanently. Our cashmere should last you for years, which is why it's so important to follow our washing instructions to get the most out of your garments.
Can You Wash Cashmere?
Cashmere can be washed, but does require special care to ensure the garment is not damaged. We would always recommend to hand wash cashmere rather than dry cleaning.
The best way to wash cashmere sweaters is by hand washing, which involves soaking the garment in tepid water using a gentle detergent as opposed to using the washing machine. Machine washing cashmere is not advised, as even using a delicate cycle can damage and stretch the natural fibers.
In most cases we would suggest to avoid dry cleaning, as the chemicals used can damage the cashmere fibers, causing them to lose their softness and warmth.
How Often Should You Wash Cashmere?
We all try to avoid washing cashmere whenever possible and often try to ‘spot-clean’ to prolong the life of the garment, this is fine for regular wear but before storing your cashmere clothing for longer periods of time we recommend to give it a good cleanse. It is better to wash cashmere sparingly rather than frequently, as this will help it to maintain its softness and shape.
Airing out cashmere is one of the best ways to keep it fresh between washes, as long as this is done away from direct sunlight. Our range of care products are a great way to keep your cashmere jumpers fresh as well. Our cedar products are so handy to have- they keep the moths away and leave your garments smelling lovely and fresh.
How to Hand Wash Cashmere
Hand washing can seem daunting, but it only really requires a few materials. To start you'll only need a clean sink, lukewarm water, mild detergent and a towel, all of which you'll likely already have at home.
We've made it so easy to care for your cashmere with this step-by-step guide on how to wash cashmere:
Step 1
Find a clean bowl or sink – please ensure that it is clean and there is no food, dirt, or cleaning products and residue that could harm your cashmere. It may be worth having a bowl you use solely for hand-washing your cashmere and knitwear.
Step 2
Soak in lukewarm water (30c) with shampoo added. Make sure the water is only lukewarm and importantly that the water is NOT hot. Cashmere knitwear and pashmina may be washed by hand using a small amount of gentle detergent or ideally our Cashmere Centre specially formulated shampoo.
You can use other gentle detergents, but for best results use the right shampoo designed for cashmere fibres. Make sure it is fully dissolved in the water before you start to add your clothing.
Step 3
Turn inside out and gently squeeze clean, try rolling it if this helps - do not rub or wring. Let the detergent do the work, do not apply any force through the garments.
- Wash each garment separately -
Step 4
Thoroughly rinse in lukewarm water. We suggest using water that is of the same temperature as the water you washed it in.
Make sure the bowl/sink is clean and free from anything that may have dislodged from the garment during the cleaning process.
For drying your cashmere, be gentle..
Step 1
Re-shape to its original shape and size. Dry on a flat surface over a towel away from direct heat, radiators and also avoid direct sunlight.
We don’t recommend hanging cashmere clothes to dry, as the weight of the water can stretch it out of shape.
DO NOT TUMBLE DRY! This is the fastest way to shrink your cashmere clothing!
Step 2
Press under a damp cloth on a low heat setting. Do not wring or twist the garment, be patient and treat it as it treats you, softly and caringly. Cashmere should get softer and improve with age.
Rotating your wardrobe and letting your cashmere knitwear rest for a couple of days after wearing, will help to extend it’s life.
You can leave your cashmere to soak for around 15-30 minutes before rinsing. We would suggest to rinse your garment thoroughly in lukewarm water.
There are a few easy mistakes to keep an eye out for when it comes to hand washing. Firstly, make sure to check the water temperature as extreme temperatures can cause damage to the garment. Also, make sure you choose the right detergent. This is such an important one as a harsh detergent can also ruin your cashmere. Lastly, make sure you treat the wet cashmere with care to ensure the integrity of it's natural shape.
Can You Machine Wash Cashmere?
We always recommend to wash your cashmere clothing by hand, even hand-wash settings on your washing machine can add to the risk of damaging the cashmere fibres, so we generally advise to roll up your sleeves and get involved!
How to Dry Cashmere Properly
The best way to dry cashmere is by lying the garment flat on a dry towel.
You should never wring out cashmere sweaters to remove excess water as it can damage and stretch the fibers. This can cause them to lose their shape, so that over time the whole garment can become misshapen.
The best way to dry cashmere is to air dry, and it can take a day or two to dry completely. When drying, it is best to avoid any direct heat, such as radiators, and also to keep the cashmere out of direct sunlight.
Caring for Cashmere After Washing
Ideally, garments should be stored inside out and kept in a dust free and well-aired area away from direct sunlight.
Before storing for any length of time ensure your garment is washed well as dirt, dead skin or dust can attract moths and other insects.
If you are storing it away for the summer then we recommend to give it a good clean, de-crease, de-pill, and gently put it away for hibernation.
The same is true for the place you will store it, ensure you have removed any dust and it’s not damp. Ideally you would use a storage bag to keep your cashmere looking like new!
Although we would recommend to store your cashmere folded in a storage bag, you can also store your cashmere sweaters by hanging them in your wardrobe. If you are going to do this, we would recommend to have a look at some of our care products, such as our garment covers and aromatic cedar hangers, to keep your cashmere items properly protected from dust and moths.
Sometimes knitwear will shed some fibres during initial wear and softer fibres such as cashmere are more prone to this.
They work their way to the surface and appear as small balls. Gently remove the pilling with your fingers before hand-washing and these pills will disappear.
Friction pilling may also occur when a garment, like a jacket, is worn on top of cashmere where the lining is a coarser material such as wool or synthetic fibre.
We recommend regular washing to minimise pilling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the main mistakes people make with cashmere is washing it using hot water, which can lead to shrinking. Using too harsh a detergent is also a common washing mistake to avoid, as this can strip the fibers and damage the garment. As well as this, avoid tumble drying or twisting the cashmere when wet, as this can cause it to lose its shape.
Shrinkage is sadly a permanent issue that is not reversible, but there may be a small way of gaining some extra size. Try soaking the garment in fabric conditioner and leaving it for a few minutes. This will soften the knit and allow you to stretch it and gain some size back. While the item is wet, stretch it to shape and pin it on a board, such as an ironing board, to dry. This can then be pressed to seal the stretched size. This is simply stretching the knit, not the damaged fibres, so it will shrink back to the smaller size when washed again.
Explore Our Cashmere Collection
Our cashmere knitwear and accessories are designed and manufactured by us using only the finest, softest pure grade A cashmere available. These beautiful styles are made from the finest yarns with great attention to detail, producing garments that, if cared for correctly, will last for years to come and like a fine wine, improve with age.
When properly cared for, well-made cashmere garments such as ours will retain their softness and structure for years to come. The high quality cashmere fibers are incredibly durable and resilient compared to cheaper alternatives that are more prone to pilling, stretching and other signs of wear.
To browse our luxury cashmere knitwear, see below:
From a super soft cashmere scarf to everyday essentials such as socks and gloves, check out our extensive range of cashmere accessories here!
We have everything you could possibly need to care for your garments properly, from cashmere shampoo to cedar and storage products. Browse our range of care products here.