Proper care for cashmere clothing

Cashmere is one of the most popular materials for clothing. According to a recent statistic, about 30 percent of the respondents like to wear products made from the high-quality fabric. But cashmere garments not only have their price but also require special care. Only who knows how to handle the noble material properly, has long enjoyed the cuddly soft pieces.

How often should cashmere be washed?

A cashmere garment should not be cleaned too often. As a rule, it is sufficient to wash it after every fourth use. After wearing, it is best to rest for one day before hanging it back in the closet or washing it. Often it is sufficient to let it air overnight, so that the garment is fresh and soft again. This is because the elastic fibers of the material straighten up, which makes the product fluffy again.

The fluffiness typical of cashmere, however, only develops when worn and then washed. When the garment is newly purchased, it feels soft and supple, but does not have the characteristic fluff that makes up cashmere clothing. The fluff formation does not start until it is worn for the first time.


Washing in the machine

  • Never wash too many cashmere parts in the machine at the same time. Three to four pieces that fill the drum up to half are enough. The wool wash cycle is well suited to cashmere products and even more gentle than washing the clothes by hand.
    The garments should not be turned to the left. Under no circumstances may the washing machine be set higher than 30 degrees, as the sensitive material can otherwise be damaged quickly. On the other hand, a cold wash is not recommended because the detergent then can not work and the dirt particles are not solved.
  • A liquid wool detergent is best, but it should not contain bleach, whitener or fabric softener.
  • To better protect the material, it should be placed in a laundry bag or pillowcase before washing. Thus, the clothes are spared even in the final spin - which should be done only briefly and with a maximum speed of 600 revolutions per minute.
  • Do not use a tumble dryer to dry. Instead, place the still damp pieces on a towel and pull them into the correct shape. Usually they do not have to be ironed afterwards. However, cashmere clothing should not dry in direct sunlight or on the heater as this will damage the material.

Handwash

  • Cashmere products can also be washed by hand. But you should be careful with the clothes and never use too hot water. The water temperature should not be higher than it is still pleasant on the skin.
  • The garment should also not remain in the water longer than necessary. Soaking it in between does not have a positive effect - rather the opposite.
  • As a detergent, you can either use a liquid wool detergent, or resort to a mild hair shampoo. After washing, the detergent must be rinsed well, but without wringing the garment or too much durchzuwalken. It is best to immerse it - when washing and rinsing alike - several times in the lukewarm water and then push it out easily.
  • The parts of the garment may not be rubbed against each other while doing so. Cashmere is very delicate, and if it is excessively rubbed and pressed when wet, it can easily lose or matt its shape.

General care tips

A cashmere product should not be ironed in the classic way. Instead, you can lightly wipe over clothing with a steam iron (steam ironing stations under test) without pressure to straighten them. If absolutely necessary, cashmere should only be ironed with the lowest temperature setting.

Cashmere tends to form small nodules that can be seen over time in particularly stressed areas. This so-called "pilling effect"? is never completely ruled out, no matter how high the product is. The nodules should by no means be shaved off, but rather removed by hand or combed out with a special wool comb.

Photos:
istockphoto.com / Sebastian_Arnson
istockphoto.com / billyfoto

How to Care for Cashmere Clothing | March 2024