Cashmere is spun from the fur of the Kashmir goat. This fur is six times finer than human hair and when processed produces a very fine, soft fabric. Due to its softness and the delicacy of the fibers, a cashmere garment should never be kept on a hanger as it will stretch and lose its shape. Instead it should be kept flat in a drawer or on a shelf in a wardrobe.
Storing your Cashmere Sweater
If possible keep it between some plain tissue paper and keep it well away from any damp or moisture. To avoid attracting moths and ending up with a very holey sweater, be sure the garment is clean before you put it away. Moths are not fans of cashmere itself but rather the body oils or perspiration that remains on the sweater after it has been worn.
Although many care labels on a cashmere sweater will advise that it needs to be dry cleaned, it is okay to hand wash the garment. Most manufacturers advise dry cleaning more as a precaution than anything else, as washing it incorrectly could ruin the sweater.
How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater
To make sure you don’t damage your cherished cashmere, wash it by hand in cool water with a special wool detergent like Woolite. Alternatively you can use baby shampoo or some other mild detergent or soap. Soak it for about twenty minutes then run it under lukewarm water and gently ‘squish’ it to rinse out all the suds.
Whatever you do, don’t wring your cashmere, as when it is wet the fibers are more delicate and susceptible to damage. Instead roll it up in a dry towel to get rid of the excess water, then rearrange it back into shape and let it dry flat. Never hang it on the washing line or across a clothes horse as it will lose its shape and look decidedly odd when you put it on again!
It's Okay to Tumble Dry a Cashmere Sweater
Once the sweater is dry, it can be run through the tumble dryer for a few minutes to fluff out the fibers and restore its natural softness. Make sure the tumble dryer is on a delicate cycle and keep the temperature cool. Heat is not good for cashmere!
If you have a noticeable stain or dirty mark on your cashmere sweater, then it probably is a better idea to leave it into the drycleaners, as stains will not come out in cool water with a mild detergent.
Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to throw a cashmere sweater in the washing machine, as this will destroy it. Take a bit of extra time to give it the TLC it deserves and it will continue to look as good as the day it was bought.
Jude Schweppe - Jude is an actor/writer/DJ/retired waitress who loves Diet Coke, shoes, potatoes and her tropical fish tank. She was born and brought up ...
