Cashmere 101

As we all know, ladies, cashmere is one of the most luxurious and coveted fabrics for sweaters, scarves, and gloves to name a few. But it does require a bit of special care to keep your cashmere pieces looking their best. Check out these tips and techniques for storing, washing, and maintaining cashmere so your loved pieces are looking good for years to come.

Storage Tips

The way you store cashmere between wears plays an important role in keeping the fibers from breaking down over time. Always store cashmere folded versus hanging, as the weight of gravity can pull at the fibers and cause misshaping. Keep cashmere in a breathable garment or sweater bag, not an airtight plastic container or bag. This prevents moisture from being trapped and deteriorating the cashmere. Maintain the shape by folding intricately along existing seams or using acid-free tissue paper inside folds and crevices. Store in cool, dry spaces away from direct light.

Washing & Drying

It’s best to hand-wash cashmere as often as possible, especially for delicate accessories like gloves and scarves. Use cool or lukewarm water and a gentle detergent made specifically for delicates and cashmere. Never use hot water or regular detergent. Soak the item first to allow the detergent to fully penetrate the fibers, then gently squeeze — never twist, wring, or scrub, and rinse thoroughly with cool water. For cashmere sweaters and other garments, turning them inside out prior to hand-washing preserves the outer appearance. Using a mesh garment bag for the washing machine is definitely an option if it’s done gently on the delicate cycle.

Avoid the dryer whenever possible as exposing cashmere to high heat can cause irreversible damage to the delicate fibers. Instead, lay flat on top of a towel to soak up moisture, then reshape and air dry flat.

Dealing with Pills

Those pesky little balls that tend to accumulate on cashmere are called “pills.” As tempting as it may be, never use a traditional fabric shaver tool to remove pills. The sharp blades can do more harm than good. Instead, use a special cashmere comb, sweater stone, or pill razor. Gently brush the tool over the fabric in different directions to loosen and catch pills. Remove any pills and continue brushing until the surface is smooth again. Avoid over-brushing to prevent overly thinning the fibers.

Maintaining Appearance

There are also a few extra tips for keeping cashmere looking its best. Avoid contact with jewelry and hardware like zippers and buttons that could snag the delicate fabric. If you do get a pull or catch in the fibers, immediately and gently tweak the fabric back into place for the best damage-control results. You can also gently use a cashmere comb to restore fluffiness if items become matted or compressed.

With some special attention and TLC, your cashmere pieces will maintain their luxurious softness and beautiful appearance for years!