Hand washing cashmere
How to Wash Cashmere Fabric Without Damaging It
If you have a favorite sweater or scarf, you need to know how to wash cashmere without damaging it. As the months get colder, learning how to care for cashmere will make a big difference in keeping you warm.
Pure cashmere is made from the undercoat of cashmere goats, making it finer, lighter, and softer than sheep’s wool. Therefore, it’s important to know how to wash cashmere correctly to preserve its natural fibers and maintain its softness. Moreover, experts always recommend doing a good cleaning before storing cashmere clothes in the closet after the cold season.
While you might think that dry cleaning is the best solution, this is a mistake. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can strip the fibers of their natural oils, which are what make them soft and smooth in the first place.
Fortunately, washing cashmere at home is not as complicated as you might think. Plus, it won’t take a lot of time. Just follow these simple steps to wash cashmere without damaging it and extend the life of your garments.
Are you washing your coats often enough? Find out how often to wash your coat. Additionally, here are tips on how to maintain your winter wardrobe to keep it fresh.
The Correct Way to Wash Cashmere
How to Hand Wash Cashmere
Before you start washing cashmere clothes, always check the care label. Some may indicate “dry clean only,” but experts always recommend that hand washing is the best method. If necessary, you can also wash cashmere in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, as you will see in this guide.
Special Detergent for Cashmere
1. Fill a basin with cold water
First, fill a sink, basin, or tub with cold water before adding a tablespoon of special cashmere or wool detergent. If neither is available, a mild children’s shampoo will also work. Avoid using any other detergent that contains harsh chemicals, as they can damage natural fibers.
2. Soak your cashmere clothing
Next, fully submerge the cashmere item in the water and gently swirl it around for about 30 seconds. Gently rub the water into the fabric, focusing on areas like the neck and underarms. You can treat any stains with a small amount of wool detergent and gently rub with a soft cloth. Then, let the cashmere soak for 30 minutes before draining the water.
3. Wash your cashmere clothing and air dry
After draining the water, fill the basin or tub with cold water to rinse the clothing. Repeat this until the cashmere has no soap residue left, before draining the dirty water. Never wring out the clothing; just press the water out with your hands, then lay the cashmere flat on a dry towel to dry. You can also fold the towel over it to help absorb excess water and speed up drying.
Tip:Only wash one or two items at a time and make sure that their colors and sizes are similar.
How to Wash Cashmere Clothing
How to Wash Cashmere in a Washing Machine
1. Place inside a mesh bag
For the best results, place your sweater inside a mesh laundry bag like these mesh laundry bags with a drawstring. These protect cashmere from snagging on other clothes in the washing machine and help maintain their shape.
Caring for Cashmere Clothing
2. Wash on a delicate cycle
Set the machine to a delicate cycle, ensuring the water temperature is cold and the spin is low. A delicate wash cycle is equivalent to hand washing in the washing machine. These settings use cold water with gentle agitation or slow spin and are the shortest and gentlest cleaning cycles. At the end of the cycle, quickly take out the cashmere to reduce wrinkles before laying it flat on a dry towel to dry.
Tip: Never put cashmere in the dryer. High temperatures can damage natural fibers and ruin their shape. Plus, you don’t want your favorite sweater to shrink to the size of a small child!
Washing Cashmere Clothing in a Washing Machine
How to Care for Cashmere Clothing
Before storing, ensure that your cashmere clothing is completely dry before placing it away. Ideally, cashmere should be kept outside, in a dust-free area with good ventilation, away from direct sunlight. To protect your clothes from moths or other pests, store them in ziplock garment bags for hanging clothes or in plastic storage containers.
Drying Cashmere Clothing
How Often Should Cashmere Be Washed?
Generally, you don’t need to wash wool and cashmere sweaters after every use. Depending on how often you wear it, experts recommend washing cashmere clothing one or two times in the season to protect the fibers from damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Properly Washing Cashmere Fabric
1. Can cashmere be washed in a washing machine?
Yes, but you must use the delicate cycle and cold water, and place the cashmere fabric inside a mesh laundry bag to prevent damage to the fibers.
2. What is the best detergent for washing cashmere fabric?
The best detergent for washing cashmere fabric is special detergents designed for wool and cashmere. If unavailable, a gentle children’s shampoo can also be used.
3. How should cashmere be dried?
Cashmere should never be placed in the dryer. To dry, lay it flat on a clean towel and gently place another towel on it to absorb excess water.
4. Can fabric softeners be used for washing cashmere fabric?
Using fabric softeners for washing cashmere is not recommended, as they can damage natural fibers and reduce the quality of the fabric.
5. How often should cashmere clothing be washed?
Cashmere clothing does not need to be washed frequently. Depending on wear, usually once or twice a season is sufficient.
Final Thoughts
Properly washing cashmere fabric not only keeps it soft and smooth but also extends the lifespan of your clothing and fabrics. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you can enjoy your cashmere garments for years without damage or loss of quality. Paying attention to the type of detergent, water temperature, and drying method are the key factors in caring for cashmere fabric.
Compiled by:SelMagz Homekeeping Secrets Section
