How to Care for Cashmere
2024-03-05
Cashmere is one of the world's most luxurious fabrics — and one of the most unforgiving if handled incorrectly. A cashmere jumper can last for decades if properly cared for, or shrink to doll-sized within minutes if it sees the wrong wash cycle.
The golden rules of cashmere care:
1. Dry clean when in doubt. Professional dry cleaning is the safest way to clean cashmere. Our specialist solvents clean deeply without affecting the fibres or causing shrinkage.
2. If hand washing, use cold water only. Never use hot or warm water on cashmere. Use a tiny amount of specialist wool or cashmere detergent and handle very gently — no wringing, no scrubbing.
3. Dry flat. Hang-drying cashmere will stretch it out of shape. Lay it flat on a clean towel and reshape while damp.
4. Store it folded, not hung. Hanging cashmere on a coat hanger stretches the shoulders over time. Fold and store in a drawer or on a shelf.
5. Watch for moths. Cashmere is catnip for clothes moths. Use cedar balls or lavender sachets in your wardrobe and store clean cashmere in sealed bags between seasons.
When in doubt, bring your cashmere to us. We've been caring for delicate garments since the sixties and we know exactly what we're doing.
