Cashmere is one of the most luxurious textures that comes from a particularly fine-haired breed of goats. It is incredibly soft, and can be seen in a range of sweatshirts, cardigans, and other garments. Because it is a delicate material, cashmere requires extra care when it comes to washing it.
It is more prone to shrinking, and items can lose their shape if they are machine washed. That is why this guide addresses how to store and protect cashmere clothes as much as possible. These are some of the ways you can keep your cashmere in good condition and make your cashmere items last longer.
Cashmere Shampoo
The first thing you will need to consider is that the quality of cashmere can be affected by regular laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Regardless of how gentle your detergent claims to be, it should not make contact with your cashmere items.
When it comes to finding something that will wash cashmere without compromising the quality, you should consider cashmere shampoo. This is a cleansing product that has been specifically formulated with delicate materials in mind. That means that it is especially gentle, and even helps maintain the condition of your cashmere.
Only a small amount is required to clean your cashmere items, and you should use them sparingly. Even the most gentle shampoos can risk damaging the material if used improperly.
Alternatives to cashmere shampoo include delicate baby shampoo in small amounts, or wool wash.
Hand Washing
Even if your washer has a hand wash setting, it will damage your cashmere. The safest way to wash your cashmere clothing is by hand. This involves letting the items sit in a bath or bucket of lukewarm water mixed with a small amount of cashmere shampoo.
You should turn your cashmere sweaters and other garments inside out before washing, to avoid causing additional damage to them and to preserve their softness. Gently agitate the water once your cashmere has been submerged for at least thirty minutes.
Then, let the water drain and rinse your garments. Try to avoid ringing out your cashmere sweaters or cardigans because it can cause them to stretch excessively.
You will need a place to leave the cashmere to dry, and a basin or bath tub that is large enough to spread out the sweater.
Stain Removal
Cashmere items are more susceptible to stains because of their natural shades. Dry cleaning services can provide some help if they are contacted shortly after the stain occurs. However, they can be a little more expensive, especially if you are someone who gets a lot of stains on their clothes.
To remove most stains from your cashmere clothing, rinse it in cold water straight away. Avoid rubbing stain remover onto the material because this has the risk of causing a hole in the cashmere. Once it has been rinsed in cold water, let it sit in a small amount of cashmere wash and more cold water.
Dry Cleaning
Another thing which can help preserve the state of your cashmere items is dry cleaning. It can be a great way to ensure that another level of care is taken when it comes to this delicate material.
Consider getting your cashmere professionally cleaned at the end of the coldest season, so that it is as fresh as possible for storage. It can help maintain the material without damaging it.
Avoid Hanging
You should avoid hanging your cashmere sweaters and cardigans on clothes hangers, especially when they are wet, because they can stretch under their own weight. The best way to store cashmere when it is not in use is in a folded pile.
Storage Bags
Try to keep your cashmere items together and store them in a zipper bag made from breathable cotton when you pack them away for the warmer seasons. This can stop bacteria or fungi from causing potential problems that will affect the overall quality and texture of your cashmere.
In addition, storing your cashmere in zipper cotton bags prevents moths from getting to them. For this reason, you should avoid storing your cashmere items in the main part of your closet because they are more likely to attract moths if they are not protected.
Summary
Cashmere is extremely delicate, and it can take a little extra work to take care of and maintain. However, it is definitely worth the additional attention, as it is a high quality, soft material that has a texture unlike anything else.
