cashmere care

caring for cashmere :

While dry cleaning is one option, it’s simple to care for your cashmere knits at home.

All cashmere or woollen knits will pill (develop 'bobbles') with use. This is not symptomatic of inferior quality, simply an inevitable consequence of loose fibres on the knit's outer being subject to friction with other surfaces and each other.

If you’re worried about pilling, avoid wearing your cashmere against coarse or unlined overcoats or jackets, and try not to wear a backpack or textured cross body bag directly upon the yarn. Be careful not to snag or pull your knit with jewellery or other accessories.

Air between wears and keep washing to a minimum.

washing :

Before washing, remove as much pilling as possible using a cashmere comb or electric hand-held de-piller.

When it can’t be put off any longer, dissolve 20 ml or so of shampoo or wool detergent in a clean tub with room temperature water. Soak the cashmere for 5 minutes, then press and squish the soapy water through your cashmere (imagine you are giving it a gentle massage!)

To rinse, ball up the cashmere and squeeze out excess water gently without wringing. Repeat the process with clean room temperature water until the detergent is gone and the water runs clear.

drying :

To dry, lay your semi-wet cashmere flat on a clean towel and roll it up, blotting out as much water as you can. Gently reshape the garment and lay it flat in the shade to dry - never use a dryer, pegs, or a hanger.

ironing : 

If you want to iron your cashmere, use a low heat setting and a protective barrier cloth (such as a clean tea towel) to prevent the iron contacting the fibre directly.

storing : 

Always clean your cashmere before folding it away over summer- moths are especially fond of dirty natural fibre. Cedar chips, pine products or sachets made with lavender oil stored with your knits may also help deter hungry insects.

With a little care your cashmere investment will serve you for many happy and cosy years.