Cashmere can last for years, but figuring out how to care for it can be a daunting task – you may be wondering if you have to dry clean it, if you have the option to hand wash it, or how to store it.
What Is Cashmere?
Cashmere is wool derived from cashmere and Pashmina goats, mainly from China, Mongolia and Iran. Not only is it considered a high-end fiber, but the production of cashmere garments is also one of the reasons for its price increase. Cashmere is graded from A to C, with grade A considered the absolute best (and often the most expensive). The structure of a cashmere product can tell you a lot about the quality of a cashmere product: if it can stretch and deform, and you are able to stroke it with your hands without falling off, then you are making a good cashmere product.
Cashmere is a fairly sustainable knitwear option due to its long-lasting qualities, but you can also choose to make it more eco-friendly: brands like Stella McCarthy, Naadam, Reformation, and Everlane use recycled materials to make cashmere pieces. Additionally, if you have items that need to be recycled, Ralph Lauren recently partnered with Re-Verso to launch a cashmere recycling program that makes it easy to ship items to Prato, Italy, to help support the circular economy.
Cashmere is a fairly sustainable knitwear option due to its long-lasting qualities, but you can also choose to make it more eco-friendly: brands like Stella McCarthy, Naadam, Reformation, and Everlane use recycled materials to make cashmere pieces. Additionally, if you have items that need to be recycled, Ralph Lauren recently partnered with Re-Verso to launch the Cashmere Recycling Program, which makes it easy to ship items to Prato, Italy, to help support the circular economy.
Can Cashmere Be Machine Washed?
Machine washing cashmere is often a risky idea because the agitation of the machine can damage the cashmere fibers and the shape of the garment. In most cases, you’ll need to dry clean or hand wash, and you can do a topical treatment between thorough washes.
However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as machine-washable cashmere. These pieces may make the maintenance process a little easier, but it’s crucial to be extra careful along the way. All you need to do is wash gently with cold water, protect the sweater with a mesh laundry bag, skip the dryer, and lay the sweater flat to air dry.
How to Care for Cashmere
Do Not Store Dirty Cashmere
In order to avoid cashmere being eaten by insects, the key is not to store your clothes dirty. Moths eat tiny particles on the skin of clothing. To avoid this problem, we recommend placing worn but clean items in a separate chair in the room until they are ready to be washed, and purchasing moth-proof care tools, such as Total Wardrobe Care’s products.
Follow the Label’s Cleaning Instructions
Reading labels and following instructions is key to keeping any of your favorite items looking their best, and this tip is especially true for cashmere. Cashmere products are very special, so caring for them in the right way is crucial to ensure that their beauty lasts forever. The instructions on the label are tailored specifically to the product and material, so it’s important to follow these instructions – not all kinds of cashmere require the same care. For example, we recommend storing SilkCash flat and folded up, because if hung up, it will stretch and lose its shape over time. However, PureCash may be suspended. Over time, small things can have an impact.
Do Not Over-Wash
Cashmere does not need to be washed after each wear. In fact, due to the fragile texture of cashmere, it should be avoided washing it too often, and it is recommended that you wash it about every four times.
If you have stains on your cashmere sweater, you can easily fix the problem by simply applying a topical treatment without having to wash it thoroughly. When it’s finally time to wash cashmere, dry cleaning is an option, and it can be ideal for high-priced heirlooms. You can also hand wash your clothes often with delicate detergents, but be sure to double-check the brand’s washing recommendations first.
When washing cashmere products by hand, avoid soaking for too long (up to 30 minutes). Also, when taking out the inlet water, never wring it out. Instead, what I do is roll up my pieces like burritos and gently press the water out.
Invest in Pilling Tools
In fact, pilling is a normal part of cashmere’s life, and there are a few things you can do to get rid of it. Cashmere is generally more prone to pilling, not because of its quality, it’s just a natural process that happens when the fibers in the yarn rub against each other, and it usually happens when you’re wearing it regularly. If pilling occurs over time, the best way to rejuvenate them is to use an electric fabric razor.
Always Fold and Store Your Creations
Hanging cashmere like any other knit may be the best way to store it, but the best thing to do is to always fold it up. The gravity of the suspension will pull it away from its original position. When folding a cashmere [sweater], fold your arms under the [sweater] and fold them in half horizontally to reduce creases. In addition, when storing cashmere for a long time, it can be placed in a cotton or linen bag with a proper closure. This allows air to still enter while avoiding the risk of moths ruining your work.
At Last
The care of cashmere is not as complicated as it may seem at first glance: as we have explained, there are a few key practices that follow when caring for your garment that will help keep it looking its best. While it’s true that you have to pay special attention to cashmere products compared to many other materials, things aren’t too complicated if you follow the instructions on the label as well as the tips here.
