Caring for and washing cashmere and pashmina

If you follow our guide, you should keep your cashmere as soft and beautiful as the day you bought it. Because it is such a delicate material, we generally recommend that you air gently and hand-wash cashmere with a mild detergent made for wool.  

To do this, follow the steps below:

 1. Fill a clean bowl with cold water. Make sure to keep the temperature below 30 degrees as high temperatures can cause cashmere to shrink.

 2. Add a few drops of laundry detergent or wool softener to the water. Baby softener also works well because it doesn't contain harsh chemicals.

 3. Soak your cashmere. Leave the garment in the bowl for five minutes without touching it. When you're done, gently press to remove any dirt.

 4. Squeeze out excess water. Remove the cashmere garment from the water and gently squeeze out the water. Be careful, as too much pressure can twist the garment.

 5. Replace the water with fresh, non-soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and swirl again to rinse out any remaining detergent. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to ensure that there is no detergent left in the garment.

 6. Air dry your cashmere. Instead of wringing the garment out, lay it flat on a clean towel and press lightly to remove excess water and limit any wrinkles in the fabric.

 7. Pat dry. When the garment is almost completely dry, pat it lightly with tissue paper to remove any excess moisture.

Can cashmere be machine washed?

The first question everyone has when it comes to washing cashmere is “should I wash cashmere by hand?” While we encourage you to do just that, machine washing does not harm the material if you do it correctly.

How to store your cashmere clothes/scarves

Cashmere is such a delicate material that proper storage can significantly increase the lifespan of the garment. Follow our tips to store your cashmere safely:

 1. Avoid using hangers – When you are not wearing your cashmere sweaters, we strongly recommend that you refrain from using hangers, as they can cause your clothes to lose their shape. Instead, we suggest storing your wool in a dresser and making sure the area is completely moisture-free, clean, and away from direct sunlight.

 2. Wash and dry before storing – Cashmere garments should always be washed and dried before storing.

 3. Store in a sealed box or garment bag – If you are going to store your cashmere for an extended period of time, we suggest investing in a sealed box or garment bag as it will protect the cashmere from sunlight. This is also a great deterrent for moths!

How to protect cashmere from moths

Unfortunately, cashmere and other fine fibers are a meal of choice for moths and their larvae, and many of us have failed in their summer snacking – only to reach for our favorite sweater when the weather turns and find it full of holes. Cashmere is more popular than ever and, happily, it has also become more affordable. While we are thrilled that many of us own more cashmere than ever before, warmer weather and better central heating are encouraging more moths which leads to more shredded cashmere!

Those of us who have a particular dislike for moths are well aware that they like to linger in the warmth and darkness, so not only are our wardrobes an ideal breeding ground, but our cashmere garments are also full of keratin which these creatures love to eat.

Fortunately, however, there are steps you can take to prevent an infestation of moths from feasting on your most exquisite garments:

 • Wash your clothes again –

As we mentioned earlier, it is important to wash and dry your clothes before storing them. Even if your clothes look clean, the slightest bit of sweat or spilled food means a feast for a family of moths.

 • Invest in clothing storage –
If you suspect that moths are already nesting among your valuables, after you've taken out all your cashmere clothes and washed them, invest in sealed boxes or garment bags for storage. • Clean your closets often - Make sure to vacuum the inside of your drawers or closet about once a month to remove any moths or caterpillars.

• Add lavender sachets to your wardrobe –
Deter insects and make your drawers smell wonderful with the sweet scent of lavender. Scatter yours in a drawer at the bottom of your closet or place bags of this beautiful plant in your drawers.