Did You Know You Can Wash Cashmere?

May 16, 2025

Uchral Amar

Director of Design Development Department

Uchral Amar

Director of Design Development Department

With over 10 years at GOBI Cashmere, Uchral has dedicated her career to crafting beautifully designed knitwear. Beginning as a textile designer, she later led the design division and now oversees design development as its director. Her extensive knowledge of fashion design, combined with years of hands-on experience, enables her to create timeless, high-quality cashmere pieces that seamlessly blend tradition with modern innovation. She shares expert insights on cashmere fashion, design trends, the creative process behind each garment, as well as how to wear, care for, and truly appreciate cashmere.

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The Basics of Washing Cashmere

When washing cashmere, remember two golden rules:

Avoid hot water: it can cause shrinkage and felting and also damage the delicate cashmere fibers.
Always lay garments flat to dry: hanging can cause stretching and misshapenness of the cashmere garment.

By following these steps, you can wash cashmere safely. Let’s explore both machine and hand-washing methods, including the ideal cashmere wash temperature.

Hand-Washing Cashmere

Hand-washing cashmere is always preferred. Here’s a detailed guide:

Prepare the Basin: Use lukewarm water (around 20°C or 68°F) with special wool detergent or mild hair shampoo
Gently Submerge: Place the item in the basin and let it soak without excessive agitation.
Wash Gently: Knead the cashmere garment to loosen dirt
Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse with clean, cool water to remove all detergent.
Squeeze Gently: Avoid wringing. Instead, press out excess water to avoid stretching.

These hand-washing instructions will maintain the smooth and lovely appearance of your cashmere scarves or jumpers.

Machine Washing Cashmere

Can you wash cashmere in a machine? Absolutely, if you follow these steps:

Check the Washing Machine: Ensure the drum is free of debris.
Select the Right Cycle: Use the Delicate, Handwash, or Wool setting. Keep the cashmere wash temperature around 20°C (68°F) to avoid damage.
Add a Gentle Detergent: Ideally, use a cashmere washing liquid; otherwise, a mild hair shampoo will work.
Avoid High-Speed Spinning: Use a low-speed spin to protect the garment’s structure.

When the cycle completes, carefully remove the item and follow drying instructions.

Drying Cashmere

Proper drying is essential. Here’s how:

Shape the Garment: Lay it flat on a towel and gently reshape it.
Roll in a Towel: For faster drying, roll the garment in the towel and press gently.
Air Dry Flat: Lay the item flat to dry completely.

Avoid tumble drying or hanging, as these can stretch the fabric.

Ironing Cashmere

Steam ironing is always preferred. Can cashmere be ironed? You may use a low steam setting, however it's usually not advised. Here's how to iron cashmere safely:

Steam Setting: Hover the iron above the garment without direct contact. Or place a cloth between the garment and the iron.
Keep a Safe Distance: Maintain a 0.5–1 cm gap to prevent scorching.

Storing Cashmere

Proper storage is crucial, particularly with regard to humidity. Over 60% humidity in the air can cause musty and mildew smells, which will make your clothes smell less than fresh and force you to wash them more frequently, which will deteriorate those fragile fibres. Conversely, very dry air (less than 35%) can cause cashmere to become brittle and susceptible to static. A relative humidity of 45% to 55% is the ideal range. Avoid using plastic containers that retain moisture, store your cashmere in breathable cotton or linen bags, and add natural moth repellents like lavender sachets or cedar balls.

In the UK, humidity levels can reach 80–90% during the colder months. To prevent cashmere garments from developing odours or mould, it's essential to wash and store them properly. Aim to maintain the environment where you wear and store your cashmere within the recommended humidity range.

Remove pills using a cashmere comb:

By removing pilling—those tiny fuzzy balls that form from friction—a cashmere comb is an excellent way to preserve the smoothness and fineness of your cashmere clothing, particularly jumpers or scarves. Here's a detailed tutorial on using a cashmere comb correctly:

1. Lay Garment Flat: Place your cashmere item on a clean, smooth surface.

2. Gentle Combing: Hold the comb and gently move it in one direction, using short, light strokes to remove pilling.

3. Don’t Press Too Hard: Let the comb do the work to avoid damaging the fibers.

4. Remove Pills: After each stroke, tap the comb to remove the pills.

5. Shake Garment: Once done, gently shake the garment to remove loose fibers.

For best results, comb regularly and store your cashmere properly to keep it looking fresh.

How to Remove Stains from Cashmere

Because cashmere is a delicate fabric, stain removal calls for caution to preserve the fabric's softness and fineness. Here are some easy ways to get rid of stains on cashmere without causing any harm to the fabric:

1. Act Quickly

The sooner you address a stain, the easier it will be to remove. Fresh stains are easier to treat than set ones.

2. Blot, Don’t Rub

Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can damage the fibers. Instead, gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb the liquid.

3. Use Cold Water

Always use cold water when treating stains on cashmere. Hot water can cause the fibers to shrink or become misshapen.

4. Mild Detergent

For stains like oil or grease, use a gentle detergent diluted in cold water. Dampen a cloth with the solution and blot the stain gently.

5. Baby Shampoo for Oil Stains

A small amount of baby shampoo or mild dish soap mixed with cold water can help break down oils. Apply it gently and rinse with cold water.

6. Vinegar Solution for Sweat Stains

Mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts cold water for sweat or deodorant stains. Blot the area and rinse with cold water.

7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Never use bleach or harsh stain removers on cashmere, as these can damage the fibers.

8. Dry Flat

After treating the stain, gently press out excess water (don’t wring) and lay the garment flat to dry, reshaping it to its original form.

9. Professional Cleaning

For tough stains, consider professional cleaning to ensure your cashmere is cared for properly.

Common Stains and How to Treat Them:

- Oil or Grease: Use mild dish soap or baby shampoo mixed with cold water.

- Sweat or Deodorant: Use a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water).

- Food Stains: Gently blot with cold water, then apply mild detergent.

These easy tips can help you maintain the softness and beauty of your cashmere jumpers, scarves, and other clothing. The secret is to handle cashmere things gently, whether you're cleaning a cashmere scarf, jumper or other items. Take pleasure in the longevity and style of cashmere, knowing that it is not only exquisite but also simple to maintain.

FAQs

Can I iron cashmere?

Yes, but only with a steam setting and avoiding direct contact.

Can I steam cashmere?

Yes, steaming removes wrinkles gently. Hold the steamer slightly above the fabric.

Can you spin cashmere?

Avoid high-speed spins; use a gentle setting on your machine.

How often should you wash cashmere?

After every 3–4 wears, unless heavily soiled.

What cashmere wash temperature is best?

Lukewarm water, ideally around 20°C, for both machine and hand-washing.

Does cashmere shrink in cold water?

Cold water won’t shrink cashmere, but avoid hot water, which might.

Can you wash a cashmere scarf?

Yes, use lukewarm water, wool/cashmere detergent or mild hair shampoo, rinse it thoroughly, flat dry for best results.