How to Wash Cashmere Sweaters Without Damage?

Cashmere sweaters cannot be thrown in the washing machine with your sweatshirts and jeans. Here’s how to wash cashmere sweaters to keep them in almost-perfect condition.

When it gets chilly outside, there is nothing better than wrapping up in cashmere. The most luxurious, coziest, and oh-so-warm cashmere blankets, scarves, sweaters, and hats are available. However, they are also incredibly delicate, which is a problem. That said, you are not required to take them to the dry cleaner.

You can keep your cashmere sweaters in pristine condition for years to come once you learn how to clean cashmere at home using the right methods and a few wool-friendly products.

The proper way to wash a cashmere sweater is shown here.

How to Hand-Wash Cashmere Sweaters?

Although cashmere can be worn in a variety of ways, it is incredibly delicate. It makes sense when you think about it because anything that feels that soft would need an equally soft touch to keep it looking its best. So if you were wondering, “Can you hand wash cashmere?” the answer is a resounding “Yes, please.”

Actually, the procedure is fairly easy.

1. Start by adding lukewarm water to the bathtub, sink, or other large vessel.
2. When it is full, pour in one load of a mild, cashmere-safe detergent; see our top picks below; and stir until suds form.
3. It is time to begin dunks. Swish your cashmere sweaters gently for a minute in the soapy water, working with one item at a time, until they are completely submerged. You want them thoroughly saturated.
4. Leave the sweaters to soak for up to 30 minutes once they are all in the tub. This will give the detergent enough time to work.
5. After that, drain the water and thoroughly rinse your cashmere with cool water. All the suds must be eliminated.
6. You should wring out your sweaters right about now.

Keep your sweaters from being wrung out. As a result, your cashmere will become distorted and ill-fitting and the knit will stretch out. Instead, roll them up and wring as much water as you can from them. You can begin drying now.

How to Machine Wash Cashmere Sweaters?

Want to avoid cleaning your cashmere sweaters by hand but need to? It is still possible to wash cashmere in a washing machine, but there are some precautions you should take.

In order to prevent the cashmere fibers from rubbing against the washer’s machinery and wearing or snagging, we first advise buying a mesh laundry bag. Second, make sure the machine is operating on its gentlest cycle.

If you don’t want your cashmere sweaters to shrink or felt, set the water temperature to cold and the spin speed to low. Finally, to prevent creasing, remove your sweater to dry outside as soon as the buzzer sounds. Also, refrain from putting it straight into the dryer.

Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Cashmere Sweaters

• The use of excessively hot water. If the water is too hot, the cashmere fibers will be harmed, which could result in irreversible shrinkage or, at the very least, the loss of the item’s shape. You ought to stay away from even irons. The item should be laid flat to dry completely after using a steamer to remove any wrinkles. Additionally, as was previously mentioned, cashmere is always best washed in cold water.
• Washing with bleach. Make sure to stay away from any bleach-containing detergent or stain remover when washing. As a result, your cashmere will also lose its color—unless, of course, you prefer a stark white polka-dot pattern.
• Twisting or wringing. When cashmere fibers are wet, they become more fragile and susceptible. The shape of the sweater will deform or stretch if you manipulate it excessively.
• Putting it in the dryer. Never, ever put cashmere in the dryer. As was already mentioned, heat will cause your item to shrink, pill, and otherwise be ruined because it will damage the delicate fibers.
• Storing your cashmere improperly. How dry cashmere is stored is another error that people make. Bear in mind that cashmere can suffer damage from heat, humidity, and moths. Once your item is dry, carefully fold it and put it in a cotton dust bag to prevent problems. If you don’t have a dust bag, you can use a cotton pillowcase instead. After that, place dust bags in an airtight container with moth-repellent lavender or cedar chips.

How Often Should You Wash Cashmere Sweaters?

There is no such thing as under-washing when it comes to cashmere; we advise washing it after about five wearings. It’s okay to continue wearing cashmere if it still feels and smells good.

On the other hand, there is such a thing as over-washing—regardless of your laundering method. A cashmere garment’s lifespan is shortened by frequent washing, which also causes excessive pilling. Cashmere can become itchy against the skin if it is dry-cleaned too frequently because it can be stripped and dehydrated.

Fortunately, cashmere tends to wick moisture from your body even though it is extremely delicate. As a result, the risk of unpleasant odors lingering is decreased because any moisture from your body that the cashmere absorbs will dry quickly and not embed into the fabric.

How to Dry Cashmere Sweaters?

Cashmere sweaters should be dried flat on a surface using air currents. This approach does, however, call for patience. The process might take longer the thicker the weave.

You shouldn’t allow a cashmere sweater to dry close to hot surfaces or windows that let in strong light because doing so can harm the fabric.

While tumble drying can be risky, some cashmere blend clothing can withstand it. Even if you use techniques to undo cashmere shrinkage, once wools like it, they can never be brought back to their original splendor. The fabric can still stretch or lose its shape when using a dryer’s no-heat setting.

Put your cashmere sweater in the middle of two towels to help it dry more quickly. If you want to let the light pressure between the layers wick away the moisture, you can roll it up or gently press it between the towels.

After the sweater has dried, steaming can aid in removing wrinkles. Use a pressing cloth and turn your garment inside out to reduce the risk of damaging it if the care instructions say low-heat ironing is acceptable.

How to Store Cashmere Sweaters?

Many cashmere garments are seasonal in nature, which necessitates storing them for a portion of the year, which can present its own set of issues. A cashmere sweater should never be left on a hanger for too long because it can easily lose its shape.

To help prevent friction damage and allow it to breathe, you should fold cashmere clothing carefully and use acid-free tissue paper between its layers.

Cashmere sweaters are best stored in zippered cotton or breathable bags. The beauty of your clothing is preserved when you store it in high-quality bags like those from Hayden Hill.

Although this article only covered the fundamentals of washing cashmere sweaters, you can also download our detailed guide to caring for and cleaning cashmere items. To preserve their high quality and safeguard your investment, such opulent and priceless pieces require meticulous care.

Final Words: Wash Cashmere Sweaters

Wet cashmere is most susceptible to damage because it can easily stretch or become misshaped. Clean each piece separately and use fresh water for each wash to avoid over-pulling or over-stretching wet cashmere.

Remember not to wash your cashmere every time you wear it. Between wearings and washings, a long-handled boar-bristle cashmere brush will help remove lint, fuzz, and dust. While protecting the knit, a sweater comb can also be used to remove errant pills.

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