How to Wash Cashmere in 5 Simple Steps

Always start by reading the washing instructions on the label of your cashmere garment. Manufacturers provide specific care instructions to help you maintain the natural pile and softness of the fabric.

Adhering to these washing instructions is the first step to ensuring your cashmere knits stay in perfect condition.

Choosing the right detergent is vital when washing cashmere. Opt for a mild, delicate cycle detergent specifically designed for wool and cashmere. You might find such a product listed as "wool wash," which will be the right choice for this task.

These specially formulated detergents help maintain the softness of the fabric while ensuring thorough cleaning. If you don't have any on hand, you can use a good hair shampoo, since it's essentially hair anyway! Baby shampoo is actually a decent choice to clean cashmere garments, since it's extra gentle.

Avoid Fabric Softener

Never use fabric softener when washing cashmere. Fabric softeners can break down the cashmere fibers over time, reducing the softness and potentially causing damage. Stick to gentle, cashmere-specific detergents to keep your garments in top condition.

Hand-washing cashmere is preferred over machine washing. Fill a basin with cool or tepid water and a small amount of delicate detergent or specially formulated cashmere shampoo.

Submerge your cashmere scarf (or whatever garment you want to wash) and gently agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute the soap. This method is less time-consuming than you might think and is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the fibers.

Let the scarf or sweater soak for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing the soap with cold water.

After hand-washing your cashmere, gently press the excess water out. Do not wring or twist the wet cashmere, as this can cause stretching and misshaping. Instead, gently press the water out by laying the garment flat on a dry towel and rolling it up to absorb the moisture.

The best way to dry cashmere is to lay the sweater on a flat surface (a dry towel draped on a table or drying rack works well). Avoid hanging your cashmere, as this can stretch the cashmere fibers and alter its shape.

Let it air dry away from direct sunlight and heat to ensure the garment is reshaped to its original form.

Once your cashmere is clean and dry, store it properly to avoid damage. Fold your sweaters and place them in a breathable cotton storage bag to protect them from moths and other pests. Remember to avoid hanging cashmere, as this can stretch and misshape the garments over time.

Cashmere doesn't need to be washed after every wear. To refresh your cashmere sweaters in between wears, air them out and use a fabric spray designed for wool and cashmere. This will help maintain freshness and reduce the need for frequent washing.

You can also use a cashmere comb to remove pills, lint or other bits of material that can accumulate on your cashmere and wool garments when you wear them.

If you must machine wash cashmere, do so with extreme caution. Use a mesh laundry bag to protect the garment and select the delicate cycle with cool water. Always use a mild detergent and avoid the spin cycle to reduce the risk of stretching and misshaping.

While hand-washing is best, dry cleaning is a suitable alternative for washing cashmere. Professional dry cleaners understand how to handle delicate fabrics and can ensure your cashmere garments are cleaned without damage.

If you opt for the dry cleaning process, do so sparingly to maintain the fabric's natural oils and softness.

It's important to understand what makes cashmere so unique. Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats and pashmina goats. It's renowned for its softness, warmth and lightweight nature.

Knowing the delicate nature of this fiber will help you appreciate why gentle handling is crucial when you wash cashmere sweaters and other garments.

We updated this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.