Cashmere is considered a special luxury fibre. It is extremely soft and is hand-combed from the undercoat of the Cashmere goat (usually found in Mongolia and China). Since cashmere garments are so delicate, they deserve special care. Read on for tips on how to take care of cashmere.
How to wash cashmere clothes
Read the care label inside the garment. Most likely, you will find that it says “Dry Clean Only”. While it is always a good idea to have professional dry cleaners clean your precious cashmere garments, it can be expensive to do so. It is possible to wash cashmere clothes at home, but make sure to follow these instructions carefully.
Never wash cashmere in the washing machine and never put it in the dryer. Hand-wash cashmere in cool to lukewarm water a very mild detergent. You can also use baby shampoo. Never use bleach on cashmere. Rinse the garment with cold water and do not wring. Instead, squeeze the garment gently to get rid of excess water. Lay the garment flat on a towel and let it dry naturally, away from direct sunlight.
How to store cashmere clothes
Cashmere clothes must be stored properly in order to maintain their durability. Here are some tips for storing cashmere:
Store only clean cashmere clothes. Dirty cashmere (especially those with food stains) will attract moths and you really don’t want your delicate cashmere to become moth food. To prevent creases, fold cashmere sweaters by tucking in the two sides about four inches, folding the arms in an angular manner along each side, and then folding the top to meet the bottom. Wrap the folded garment in tissue paper and store in a clear sealed plastic bag along with naphthalene balls to keep moths away. Never hang cashmere garments because they will stretch over time and develop unsightly dents.
Tips for caring for cashmere
Don’t wear your cashmere clothes too frequently; let the garments rest for about three days before wearing them again. Keep cashmere away from metallic jewellery, belts and rough clothes like denim jackets. It is normal for cashmere to pill over time but you can minimise pilling by keeping your cashmere away from abrasive surfaces. Invest in a depilling comb or fabric shaver to get rid of cashmere pills.
When you consider that it takes about four years for one Cashmere goat to produce the wool needed to make one cashmere sweater, you see why this fibre is so sought after and special. Cashmere is a very durable fibre but needs plenty of special care. With these tips, you now know how to do just that!
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