Caring for cashmere doesn’t have to be difficult. While it is recommended to hand-wash cashmere, machine-washing can also be done with caution.
Spot-Treat Cashmere
Spot treating is a useful technique for maintaining cashmere between washes.
It can effectively address stains and prevent the buildup of environmental and body soils that can make cuffs and collars look dull.
To spot-treat cashmere, you will need liquid laundry detergent or a stain treatment product and a light-colored cloth.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Apply Detergent to Stain.
Dilute the liquid laundry detergent or use the appropriate stain treatment product.
Dip a light-colored cloth into the solution and gently dab at the stain or discolored area. Avoid scrubbing or rough handling of the fibers to prevent fabric damage like fraying or pilling.
It’s recommended not to use a laundry brush on cashmere.
Step 2: Rinse Detergent.
Rinse the cloth in Clean Water and gently go over the spot-treated area several times to remove any remaining detergent residue.
Rinse the cloth as needed until all the detergent is removed.
Step 3: Allow Cashmere to Dry.
Ensure the cashmere is completely air-dried before wearing or storing the garment.
This allows the fabric to dry naturally and retain its quality.
Steps for Machine-Wash Cashmere
If you have a front-loader or a Top-Loading Washing Machine without a center agitator, you can safely and effectively machine-wash cashmere.
However, it is not recommended to machine-wash delicate fabrics like cashmere in a top-loader with a center agitator, as the plastic fins on the agitator can cause damage.
Step 1: Place Cashmere in a Protective Bag.
Put the cashmere garment inside a mesh washing bag to protect it from friction with other garments and the drum of the machine.
It’s best to wash cashmere with other delicate or lightweight items such as undergarments and light pajamas. Avoid washing cashmere with bulky or heavy items like jeans, sweatshirts, or towels.
Step 2: Select Cycle and Temperature Settings.
Set the washing machine to a delicate or gentle cycle with cold water.
If your machine allows you to adjust the cycle length, choose the shortest available option. It’s important to minimize friction and exposure to water during the wash to prevent damage to the cashmere.
Step 3: Air Dry Cashmere.
After washing, reshape the cashmere garment to its original form and lay it flat to air dry.
Ideally, use a flat mesh drying rack, but you can also lay it flat on a towel. Remember to rotate the garment occasionally to ensure even drying.
Avoid hanging wet cashmere, as the weight of the water can cause stretching or distortion.
Hand-wash Cashmere
When hand-wash cashmere, it’s important to be gentle and avoid prolonged exposure to water.
Here’s how to hand-wash cashmere:
Step 1: Choose a Washing Area.
Select a spacious area, such as a kitchen sink, utility sink, bathtub, bucket, or wash basin, where you can comfortably move your hands and accommodate the cashmere garment.
Step 2: Fill the Basin.
Fill the basin halfway with cool water, leaving enough space for the garment and your hands to move.
Add a small amount of no-rinse detergent, following the dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Step 3: Wash and Soak the Cashmere.
Place the cashmere garment carefully in the detergent solution, ensuring that it is fully submerged.
Use your hands to gently agitate the garment, allowing the water and detergent to penetrate the fibers and remove dirt and grime. Let the garment soak in the detergent solution for about 10 minutes.
Afterward, drain the wash water.
Step 4: Air Dry the Garment.
While the cashmere is still in the basin, gently press down on it with your hands to remove excess water.
Avoid wringing the cashmere, as this can cause stretching and fraying. Lay the garment on a dry towel and roll it up to further squeeze out water.
Finally, place the sweater flat on a dry towel or a flat drying rack to air dry. Avoid hanging a wet cashmere garment, as the weight of the wet fibers can stretch the item.
Taking Care of Cashmere
Taking care of cashmere involves a few basic steps to ensure its longevity.
The recommended method to wash cashmere is by hand, which is a straightforward process that takes about 15 minutes or even less. To minimize handling, it is advisable to use a no-rinse detergent like Soak Wash.
If you prefer machine-wash cashmere, some precautions should be followed.
However, it’s important to note that cashmere should never be dried in a dryer. Instead, always air-dry cashmere to prevent shrinking, fraying, or pilling.
In between washes, you can employ spot-treating techniques to address stains and light soiling.
Spot treating helps to prolong the time between washes since excessive handling and water exposure should be avoided with cashmere.
Before storing cashmere, it’s crucial to ensure that the fibers are clean.
Even the smallest stains can become more difficult to remove over time, and scents from personal care products can attract pests. When storing natural fibers like cashmere, opt for protective bags made of breathable materials like linen or cotton.
This allows the fabric to breathe and maintains the quality of the garments.
*The information is for reference only.