Cashmere is a natural fiber, a very special kind of wool. Sweaters, scarves, gloves, cardigans… garments made from this fiber are a pleasure to touch and are also warm like few others, so they are perfect for the colder months of the year. The problem arises when it comes to washing them because cashmere is a delicate wool that requires some care to keep it in perfect condition. Find out how to wash cashmere step by step in this article and take note of some tricks so that your garments stay as nice and beautiful as they were on day one.
Cashmere sweater: if you wash it this way, it comes back as good as new!
- As a first tip, it must be said that it is not advisable to abuse washing this type of garment. Sure, you will have to do it when they are dirty, but a cashmere sweater should not be washed constantly (e.g., after using it once). When necessary, wash your cashmere garments by following these steps and you will see that they will not be damaged. The best way to do this is to wash it by hand.
- Before washing, gently shake the garment to remove any dirt that has not adhered to it and turn it upside down, that is, wash it inside out.
- Take a basin and fill it with lukewarm water. The temperature of the water is a very important detail when washing cashmere. Never use hot water as it will undoubtedly damage these delicate wool fibers. The water should be between cool and slightly warm, not exceeding 70ºF.
- Add 1 capsule of liquid soap for delicate garments (do not use soap powder). Another option would be to wash the garment with a mild shampoo. Stir with your hand so that the soap dissolves and generates lather.
- Introduce and soak the cashmere in the water without wringing or rubbing it. Let it soak between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on how dirty it is, but do not over-soak. Too much soaking could contribute to warping the garment.
- After this time and only if it is essential because of the presence of a stain, you can increase the action of the soap by slowly and very gently removing the stain by massaging it with your fingers for another couple of minutes.
- When rinsing, empty the basin and put in clean (equally warm) water. Do not wring out the garment. Leave the cashmere in the clean water so that it releases the soap. After a few minutes, empty again and if there is a lot of suds left, you can repeat the operation.
- Finally, comes the delicate moment of removing the excess water from the garment and setting it out to dry. When you finally empty the basin, press the cashmere garment carefully. This involves pressing lightly so that the water drains out, without in any case twisting the garment.
- After this first drying step, place the cashmere on a clean towel and roll it up loosely with the garment inside. Leave it like this for a few minutes so that the excess water passes from the cashmere to the towel.
Finally, lay the garment on a flat, smooth surface and let it dry naturally. Do not hang it, to prevent it from warping, nor leave it exposed to dry in the sun. Although it will take a while, it will be worth it because it will look as good as new.
If you are in a hurry and need to wash cashmere in the washing machine, you can do so by always protecting the garment in a washing liner. In addition, you should choose the specific washing program for delicate garments, avoiding the spin cycle.
Cashmere garments, other useful tips to have them always as good as new
In addition to washing cashmere the right way, some tips that will help your garment look good for years to come include:
- Always avoid using dryers because heat is the enemy of this particular wool.
- When ironing cashmere, always do so at the lowest temperature and without steam. To avoid any deterioration, also put a thin cloth between the iron plate and the garment.
- As much as possible, try not to make too many creases in the garment when storing it in the closet.
- If you need to remove lint, always do so with a wool lint remover brush made especially for this purpose.
- If your cashmere garment is clean but has accidentally become stained, you do not need to wash it completely. Just put some neutral liquid soap on it. Leave it on for a few minutes, apply a little water, without rubbing, and let it dry.
