How to Care for Cashmere: Washing, Storage & Moth Protection Guide
Cashmere Care at a glance |
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Everything you need to know to keep your organic Mongolian cashmere soft, cared for, and looking its best for years to come. Use the contents below to jump straight to a question, or simply scroll down to read through the whole guide.
Contents
- Do cashmere products require special care?
- How often should I wash my cashmere jumper?
- What if I'm in a rush?
- I want to wear my favourite jumper every day – is that okay?
- Can Cashmere be machine washed?
- Can I spin-dry cashmere in the washing machine?
- What if I prefer washing by hand?
- Should I use a special laundry detergent?
- What about fabric softener?
- Should cashmere be dry-cleaned?
- Can I put cashmere into the tumble dryer?
- What's the best way to dry a cashmere jumper?
- Is it okay to iron cashmere?
- What can I do if my cashmere knit is no longer as soft as it once was?
- How do I stop pilling / little bobbles forming?
- If my jumper is dirty, how do I remove stains?
- How do you store Cashmere?
- What if I'm travelling?
- How can I prevent moths eating my cashmere?
- Can I reshape a cashmere sweater that has shrunk?
Do cashmere products require special care?
Cashmere is a soft, delicate natural fibre, so yes, it does need a little extra care. The reassuring part is that caring for it at home is genuinely simple once you know the basics, and every gentle wash actually improves how it feels against your skin.
How often should I wash my cashmere jumper?
Quick answer: Every 4–5 wears
As a general rule, wash your cashmere jumper after every 4–5 wears rather than after every single wear. Cashmere doesn't need constant washing to stay fresh, and over-washing does more harm than the dirt it's meant to remove. The characteristic softness of a good cashmere piece builds gradually, wash by wash.
What if I'm in a rush?
If you don't have time for a full wash, simply air your jumper overnight instead. Hanging it in the bathroom while you shower is a great trick — the steam relaxes the fibres, smooths out creases, and freshens the fabric without any washing at all. A quick refresher spray can also do the job if you need it ready to wear again in minutes.
I want to wear my favourite jumper every day – is that okay?
Quick answer: Try to give it some space between wears
Even your most-worn favourite needs a little downtime. Try to give it a rest of about a day between wears so the fibres can spring back into shape and regain their natural softness before you reach for it again.
Can you put cashmere in the washing machine?
Quick answer: Absolutely — 30 degrees, delicates
Absolutely — a machine wash is perfectly safe for cashmere, and can actually be gentler than washing by hand, as long as you follow a few simple rules. Turn the garment inside out, place it in a laundry bag, and wash on a delicates or wool cycle at 30 degrees. Anything warmer risks the fibres tightening and the garment shrinking, so stick to the cooler setting.
Can I spin-dry cashmere in the washing machine?
Quick answer: Ideally the lowest spin
Yes, spinning is fine — just keep it to the lowest spin setting your machine offers. A brief, gentle spin helps remove excess water and speeds up drying without putting unnecessary strain on the fibres.
What if I prefer washing by hand?
Hand washing works beautifully too. Use lukewarm water, submerge the piece fully, and move it around gently rather than scrubbing or wringing. Rinse a couple of times in clean water, then press out the excess moisture by rolling the garment in a towel rather than twisting it.
Should I use a special laundry detergent?
Quick answer: Yes, a mild wool detergent like Woolite
Yes — a mild wool-specific detergent, like Woolite, is the way to go. Regular laundry detergent is usually too harsh and can strip the natural oils from the fibres, so a gentle wool wash keeps cashmere soft and looking its best for longer.
What about fabric softener?
Quick answer: NEVER
Never use fabric softener on cashmere. It coats the fibres and flattens their natural texture, leaving your knitwear looking and feeling less like cashmere over time. If you want extra softness, a wool-safe conditioner used occasionally is a much better choice.
Should cashmere be dry-cleaned?
Not as a rule. Washing cashmere at home, by hand or machine, is usually gentler than dry cleaning, and it avoids the harsh solvents used in the process. Dry cleaning is really only worth considering for delicate or elaborately finished pieces that need special handling.
Can I put cashmere into the tumble dryer?
Quick answer: No
No — skip the tumble dryer entirely. The heat and tumbling action cause the fibres to tangle, shrink, and felt, which permanently changes the texture of the knit.
What's the best way to dry a cashmere jumper?
Quick answer: Dry flat on a rack
Always dry cashmere flat on a rack, reshaping it gently as you lay it out. Avoid hanging it, which stretches the garment out of shape, and keep it away from direct heat or sunlight so the colour and softness aren't affected.
Is it okay to iron cashmere?
It's best to avoid ironing cashmere directly. If it really needs smoothing out, turn the garment inside out and place a damp cloth between it and the iron, using the lowest wool setting and a light touch — you're steaming the fibres, not pressing them flat.
What can I do if my cashmere knit is no longer as soft as it once was?
A quick trick: dampen the garment slightly, seal it in a bag, and pop it in the freezer for an hour or two before laying it flat to dry. This helps lift and separate the fibres again, restoring some of that original softness.
How do I stop pilling / little bobbles forming?
Cashmere sweaters will pill in areas where there is rubbing, like under the arms or where a handbag sits over a shoulder. Once you have worn it a few times, using a cashmere comb or defuzzer will require very little combing to keep it looking smooth. Pilling isn't a sign of poor quality — it's simply a natural part of how the fibres settle in with wear.
If my jumper is dirty, how do I remove stains?
Never rub or brush a stain, as this can cause the wool to felt. Instead, dab a little wool-safe detergent directly onto the mark before washing as usual in cool water, which helps lift the stain without letting it set into the fibres.
What's the best way to store cashmere?
Quick answer: Folded
Always store cashmere folded rather than hung, ideally somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Hanging lets the weight of the garment stretch and distort the shape over time, so folding is the safest way to keep it looking its best between wears.
What if I'm travelling?
Cashmere's natural elasticity means it resists creasing, so it's a brilliant travel companion. Fold your pieces as you would for storage, and tuck a sheet of tissue paper or a cotton cloth between layers to protect them from friction in your suitcase.
How can I prevent moths eating my cashmere?
Quick answer: Clean your cashmere. Use moth balls or strong-smelling sachets
Moths are drawn to the natural oils and scent left behind on worn cashmere, so always make sure pieces are freshly cleaned before you put them away. From there, moth balls or strong-smelling sachets — like cedar or lavender — placed among your stored knitwear will help keep them at bay.
Can I reshape a cashmere sweater that has shrunk?
Often, yes. Soak the shrunken piece in lukewarm water with a little wool conditioner or baby shampoo for about 20 minutes, then lay it flat on a towel and gently ease it back towards its original shape and size while it's still damp. Leave it to dry flat, checking and adjusting the shape as it goes — cashmere's elasticity means it usually responds well to this kind of gentle coaxing, though significant shrinkage may take a couple of attempts.
With the right care, cashmere lasts a lifetime — wearwith.co