Can I Wash Cashmere?

Definitely. Here are some tips to keeping your cashmere soft, supple and wearable.

Cashmere facts

• Brush or Rake regularly – Cashmere and other woolen fibers pill (form fuzz balls) in areas where friction occurs, such as under the arms or where you carry your handbag. To remove pills, we recommend using our Sweater Rake or Brass Sweater Brush. These are the tools we use in the studio and do require a ‘gentle hand’. SEE VIDEO BELOW. We do not recommend using the battery-operated fabric shavers since then can easily cut healthy fibers, compromising the structural integrity of your garment.
• Don't over wash your cashmere. As long as your day was free of stains, spills and sweating, you can wear your cashmere about three to five times before it will need laundering. Try laying it flat and airing it out after each use.
• Ignore the label - Do Not Dry Clean. Unless you absolutely have zero laundering skills. At the very least, you should locate a ‘Green’ dry cleaner. We swear by a good old-fashion water wash. Cashmere comes from goats, and like human hair, it gets fluffier and more lustrous after it's washed in a water bath. Dry cleaning will dry out and break down the fibers over time. Do not use Hot water or a dryer unless you want to hand your item down to a child.
• Hand wash your cashmere in Cold water using your favorite mild eco detergent, wool wash or two teaspoons of organic baby shampoo. Soak your cashmere apparel approximately 20 minutes. Do not wring or twist your cashmere. Instead, gently knead it with flat hands against the basin or sink and rinse till clear. Any form of heat will shrink cashmere so make sure to use Cold water.
• Lay flat to dry. Be patient. Cashmere is at its most delicate when the fibers are wet, so this stage requires care. The cardinal rule is no wringing of wet garments. Cashmere holds three times its weight in water so you will need to remove the excess water. Place the garment on a dry towel, carefully patting your item into shape, roll up the towel with the item inside and press on it to release the water. Once the towel has absorbed the moisture, shape the garment with your hands and lay it flat to dry on a second dry towel.