If you’ve invested in a cashmere jumper, dress or scarf, you will want to keep it looking great. Cashmere is a very delicate fabric with many excellent properties; to keep it looking and fitting correctly, it needs to be carefully washed and dried. If you don’t take extra care, you can easily ruin an expensive cashmere item and make it unwearable. We have some tips on the best way to clean and take care of your cashmere clothing.
Can you use the washing machine?
This depends on the item of cashmere clothing you have, some are machine washable, and some are hand washed only. The only way you will know is to read the label of the item; this will tell you how it should be washed to keep it in the best condition. If you can use the washing machine for your cashmere item, only ever wash it at a low temperature and add a delicate cycle if you have one available on your washing machine. A good tip is to turn your cashmere item inside out before placing it in the washing machine; this will help preserve the fabric's softness. In addition, avoid using fabric softener and choose a detergent that is gentle and kind to fabrics. You should also wash cashmere items separately if possible; this will help preserve their colours.
Hand washing
Some cashmere items are hand wash only; washing a cashmere item by hand is very simple and doesn’t take very long. Some people choose hand washing even if their item says it can be washed in a washing machine. This is so they can avoid any issues and keep the garment looking as good as possible. To hand wash an item, you need some warm or cold water and a bit of detergent. Dip the item in the water with the solution and squeeze gently until it is clean. Avoid too much rubbing or agitating of the fibres.
Cashmere specific products
You can buy cashmere-specific products that can help preserve the look and feel of your cashmere items. Cashmere-specific cleaning products have moisturising elements that can maintain the fabric's soft feel for longer. It is also important to consider the colour of your cashmere items; a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">white cashmere sweater</span> is much harder to keep white compared to a brown cashmere item. Cashmere-specific cleaning detergents can help to keep white cashmere looking white and like new.
Drying cashmere
It's important to dry cashmere flat; if you hang it on the washing line or on a clothes airer, it may lose its shape and become stretched. You should avoid using the tumble dryer on cashmere as this can shrink the item. If you hand wash, you may need to get rid of the extra water before placing your cashmere item flat to dry. You can do this by gently rolling it in a dry towel to squeeze out the excess water from the fibres. Try placing your cashmere item in a warm location, such as an airing cupboard; this will help it dry quicker when placed flat. If cashmere is left wet too long, it can develop a damp smell. To avoid this, dry in a location where it will get airflow and heat to aid the drying process.
Professional cleaner
For larger items like cashmere coats, a professional cleaning service is recommended. You won’t need to get your cashmere coat cleaned too often, so it is worth investing in professional help to keep your cashmere coat looking its best. There are also companies that will take your cashmere items and care for them by making repairs and cleaning them. If you’re investing in an expensive cashmere coat, it can be worth paying to get it restored and professionally cleaned by cashmere experts every few years.
Cashmere, on the whole, is fairly simple to look after as long as you know the right techniques. Be careful when placing cashmere in your washing basket as you don't want to accidentally throw it in the washing machine with other items of clothing. Instead, keep your delicate items that need washing separately in a different location to avoid this mistake from happening and ruining your expensive items of cashmere.
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