How to Care for Cashmere
How to Care for Cashmere
Cashmere is one of the best investments you can make in your closet. Learning how to care for cashmere can keep your favorite pieces going strong for years to come. Cashmere is a natural fabric that gets softer with age, famous for being the epitome of glamour and sophistication. Like all luxuries, cashmere requires a little love and care.
With a little extra TLC, your cashmere sweater can become a classic heirloom piece. The key to caring for your cashmere is to be gentle in every step of the cleaning process, from using lukewarm water to choosing a delicate detergent and investing in a cashmere comb.
At Imperial Cashmere, we’re passionate about educating our community on the everyday luxury of this fabric and how to care for cashmere. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about maintaining the condition of your cashmere scarves and shawls.
Our Cashmere at Imperial Cashmere
We’re proud to sustainably source our cashmere from Monfolian Albas White Mountain Goats using ecologically beneficial techniques. Learning how to care for cashmere can make your closet eco-friendly by expanding the life span of your everyday essentials.
Our cashmere shawls are expertly handcrafted by artisan knitters using techniques handed down through the generations. By investing in high-quality cashmere and following our recommended care instructions for cashmere, you can wear our pieces every season.
How to Care for Cashmere Sweaters
Caring for your cashmere is the secret to enjoying your favorite pieces for years to come. Cashmere sweaters should always be hand washed or professionally cleaned. The delicate nature of cashmere fibers means they need to be gently cleaned.
If you’re hand washing your cashmere sweater, turn it inside out and use a delicate detergent with warm water. Soak your sweater before rinsing and use a fabric softener if your sweater needs a little extra care. If your cashmere is stained, invest in a cashmere shampoo to help lift the dirt and stain.
Avoid wringing your cashmere sweaters. Instead, dry using towels or a quick machine cycle. Towels are a great way to remove excess water from your cashmere without causing damage. Rest your garment on a flat surface to help it maintain its shape. Take extra care with any buttons or detailing on your clothing.
Keep your sweater away from heat, including radiators and direct sunlight. A tumble dryer can damage the fibers of your cashmere piece. You should only iron your cashmere on low or cool heat.
Unless your cashmere is stained, you don’t need to wash your garments after every wear. We recommend having your cashmere sweater professionally cleaned 3-4 times a year. Spot cleaning is the best way to care for your cashmere between wears.
Storing Your Cashmere Garments
How you store your cashmere is just as important as how you wash it. The breathability of cashmere means that you can wear it any time of year, so you’ll want to keep your cashmere close at hand. Moths are the biggest danger to your cashmere. Adding lavender or rosemary to your closet can act as a natural repellent.
It’s a common misconception that your cashmere should be stored on hangers. Fold your cashmere sweaters and garments to help them maintain their shape. If you’re storing your cashmere sweaters away for a season, place them into a sealed bag to keep them looking fresh and new.
How to Care for Cashmere Shawls
A cashmere shawl is an everyday essential that adds a touch of elegance to any outfit. While your shawl or scarf won’t need to be washed as often as sweaters, it still requires regular cleaning.
Your favorite cashmere shawl is delicate and deserves a little extra care between wears. If you’re regularly wearing your cashmere shawl, take it for a professional cleaner once or twice a year to keep it looking new.
Even with extra care, spills and stains can happen. Spot cleaning is the best way to maintain the condition of your cashmere shawls. Baby shampoo is worth having on hand for any emergency washes. Handwash your cashmere shawl and allow it to soak in cold water. Use the shampoo to gently massage the fabric and remove any stains or imperfections.
After rinsing your cashmere shawl, allow it to air dry by laying it straight on a flat surface or using a towel to help remove excess water. Just like cleaning a cashmere sweater, you want to avoid twisting your cashmere shawl as it can damage the fibers.
Avoid putting your shawl or scarf into a dryer, as the heat can shrink the cashmere and damage your garment. If you need to iron your shawl to remove creases, set your iron to the coldest setting.
You want to ensure your cashmere shawl is clean before storing it away. Ziplock bags and tissue paper are the perfect way to keep your cashmere scarves protected, especially if you’re storing them alongside other pieces.
Pilling and Cashmere
Pilling naturally occurs with cashmere and isn’t something to worry about. Pilling is when small fuzz bobbles start to appear on your garments. It doesn’t mean that your cashmere is low-quality. It’s a characteristic of natural fibers, such as cashmere. Pilling will happen naturally with time and will reduce with time. Pilling will actually make your cashmere softer and typically occurs in areas where there’s friction.
You can take extra steps to avoid pilling or remove it if it occurs. Washing your cashmere inside out can help reduce pilling by using a delicate detergent designed for cashmere. Investing in professional dry cleaning or hand washing can also help prevent pilling.
Gently comb your cashmere to help remove any dirt or debris from the fibers. A cashmere comb is an ideal purchase to remove pilling and maintain the soft texture of your garment.
Learning how to care for cashmere can allow you to enjoy your favorite pieces for years. You can make our sustainably sourced cashmere even more eco-friendly with our tips and tricks. Explore our range of cashmere knitwear and accessories here.
