Cashmere pieces are a staple in your wardrobe that you will have for life. However, cashmere does fall into the hand wash and dry clean only category and there are harsh consequences to washing your cashmere incorrectly.
To ensure that you get the most out of your cashmere, follow our step by step guide on how to care for your cashmere.
Step 1. Use Cool Water
It is best to use a clean sink or basin and make sure there is no residue of cleaning products on the surface. Fill the basin with cool to tepid water and add a small amount of gentle cashmere or knitwear detergent. We recommend using Laundress cashmere shampoo, Ecover delicate, or Woolite. Briskly swirl the shampoo in the water with your hand for even distribution and to generate suds.
Step 2. Wash Your Cashmere Inside Out
When hand washing your cashmere, turn the item inside out and submerge in the water. Ensure that you do not mix any colours together. It is very important to gently message the soapy water through each fibre. Do not rub, wring or twist the fabric while washing as this can damage the garment. Set a timer and allow the garment to soak for 5-10 minutes.
Step 3. Roll Your Cashmere
The next step is to drain the bowl or sink and rinse until the water runs clear. Be sure to use the same temperature water as you used to wash. Do not wring or twist your cashmere to remove excess water. Instead, lay the item out on a towel, gently roll it up (as seen in the picture) and lightly press it. Remove the sweater from the towel and reshape by hand. Lay the cashmere on a dry clean towel and let it air dry. Button up cardigans and pull pockets straight. Your cashmere should be kept away from heat sources like radiators and sunlight, allowing it to air-dry naturally.
Step 4. Fold Your Cashmere
Once your cashmere is dry, it must be folded carefully. It can be gently steamed to remove any creases, but an iron should never be laid flat on cashmere. If possible, we recommend that you wrap your cashmere in acid-free tissue paper. This preserves the original colour and protects your cashmere against damp and dust. Cashmere garments should be stored in a well-aired area that is dust free and covered away from sunlight.
Cashmere Tips
Tip 1. How to avoid Moths
Moths love cashmere and they are particularly attracted to the natural oils we produce when wearing our cashmere. They love our dirty clothes, so to keep the dreaded moths away we recommend hand washing your sweaters regularly. It is also recommended to line your chosen storage area with fragranced anti-moth paper. If you are storing your cashmere in a wardrobe, invest in some cedar balls or scented sachets.
Tip 2: How to prevent Pilling
Cashmere is a fine fibre and pilling will happen depending on the amount of wear and your cashmere experiences. This is not symptomatic of inferior quality, but rather an inevitable consequence of the careful processing of this fine fibre. To prevent pilling avoid any rubbing motions with your handbag & purses. Also try to keep your knits away from jewellery as it can cause snags.
Pilling can easily be removed using a de-bobbling comb or even a standard razor, though you need to be very careful not to cut the fabric if doing so.
Your Castanea cashmere is a garment for life that improves with age if cared for properly. Find out more about our cashmere garments in our recent blog post ‘Will Cashmere…’ which answers our most frequently asked questions.
Have a look at our current range of luxury cashmere garments to add to your wardrobe.