7 tips to keep the quality of your cashmere intact
Taking good care of your cashmere is essential if you want to keep your garments beautiful and soft over time. But how should you take care of it?
First of all, let's dispel the myth that cashmere has to be dry cleaned. Except in the specific cases where dry cleaning really is recommended, for example when a garment is finely worked or elaborately embroidered, cashmere can be washed either by hand in cool water or in the washing machine on the wool or delicate cycle at 30°C.
Having said that, all that's left is to start off with these 7 tips for keeping the quality of your cashmere intact:
1) Don't wear it several days in a row
If you want to keep the quality of your cashmere garment intact, the first rule is: don't wear it several days in a row. Why? You'd run the risk of overstressing the fibres and speeding up the appearance of pilling, which we'll get to in point 6.
2) Wash it inside out
This rule applies to both hand washing and machine washing: whether it's a sweater or a cardigan, it doesn't matter; wash it inside out. It's important that the garment doesn't get knocked around too much during the wash, so that it keeps its quality. If you need to wash a scarf or a pashmina, you can put it in a mesh laundry bag before putting it in the machine.
3) Don't use fabric softener
Fabric softener isn't recommended for cashmere because its ingredients flatten the fabric and the garments wear out: use a small amount of mild detergent instead.
A trick? Use a conditioner made specifically for wool and cashmere when you wash: it relaxes the fibre and keeps it soft, without damaging it.
4) Dry it carefully
The best way to dry cashmere items is to lay them flat on a drying rack with a dry, absorbent towel underneath: shake them lightly and leave them to dry freely, away from direct heat sources.
Avoid wringing and twisting the garment: the spin cycle is not recommended. Instead, blot gently with a towel to help draw the water out of the fibres.
5) Iron at a low temperature
First of all, shape your garment with your hands: arrange the neck, the shoulders, the hem, the sleeves.
Iron at a low temperature on a flat surface, and if you can use a pressing cloth so you don't damage the fibres, always keeping the garment inside out.
6) Use a comb for pilling
Pilling is a natural process caused by wear and friction, and it isn't a sign that a garment is defective: the finest threads loosen, rub against each other and form small balls.
To deal with pilling, use a cashmere comb and brush the garment gently. Forget about cashmere razors: the risk of tearing holes in the knit is far too great.
7) Store it correctly in your wardrobe
Once it's washed and dried, you can put tissue paper inside your cashmere garment before folding it, to keep moisture from damaging the fabric.
Before putting it away in the wardrobe or a drawer, be sure to place it in a non-airtight plastic bag with cedar or camphor balls inside to keep moths away; cinnamon and clove sachets work just as well.
Remember to replace the moth sachets every 2 or 3 months, and next winter your cashmere clothes will be ready to wear again.
