Cashmere Care Guide: everything you need to know to preserve softness, shape, and shine

To create a coherent and sustainable wardrobe, also discover our inspirations: the art of building a wardrobe that lasts through the seasons, our selection of elegant autumn dresses and the essentials from office to weekend.

1. Understanding cashmere: a noble and sensitive fiber

Cashmere comes from the undercoat of Capra hircus goats. Its advantages: extreme fineness, natural elasticity, high insulating power with a featherweight. On the downside, the fiber fears excessive heat, repeated friction, and aggressive twisting that lead to felting, deformation, or pilling. Successful cashmere care combines controlled temperature, limited movements, suitable detergents, and patient drying.

• Gauge & count: a fine knit requires more care than a tighter knit.
• Blends: pure cashmere, cashmere & silk, cashmere & merino; each composition affects washing.
• Elasticity: shape recovery is natural if the knit is neither hung nor strongly wrung.

2. Reading the label: your first guide

The symbols indicate the temperature, the type of wash (hand or wool program), the allowed spin, and the drying precautions. In case of doubt, favor a localized test on the reverse side. Reminder: even when a "machine wash" mention is present, success depends on the precise control of the parameters.

3. Hand wash a cashmere sweater: master method

Hand washing cashmere remains the gentlest solution. Fill a basin with cold water (20–30°C). Add a special wool & silk detergent without enzymes (no bleach, no brighteners). Turn the garment inside out, immerse it, gently press to distribute the bath. Avoid friction and prolonged circular movements.

• Dosage: follow the indicated cap; excess detergent makes rinsing difficult and weighs down the fiber.
• Time: 5–7 minutes are sufficient; beyond that, the fiber absorbs unnecessary water.
• Rinsing: two to three clear waters at a stable temperature (thermal shock = risk of felting).
• Vinegar option: a tablespoon in 2L of water in the last rinse to close the scales and soften.

4. Machine wash cashmere: precise settings

If your machine has a wool program, you can wash your knits with care: temperature 20–30°C, very low spin (400–600 rpm), laundry net, few items at a time. Select a liquid wool detergent, use sparingly, and avoid fabric softener and enzymatic stain removers.

• Sorting: similar colors, similar textures. No jeans, no aggressive zippers.
• Load: half drum maximum to limit friction.
• Spin: you can also disable it and then press in a towel.

5. Flat drying: the step that changes everything

Successful cashmere drying is done flat, on a clean terry towel, away from direct sunlight and any heat source (radiator, hairdryer, tumble dryer). Before letting it dry, press the knit in a towel to remove excess water, without twisting. Reshape the silhouette: shoulders, neckline, ribbing. Drying time varies according to thickness; allow 12–24 hours.

6. Ironing, steaming, de-wrinkling: the right moves

Favor gentle steam at a distance; direct heat can crush the nap. Place a cotton veil between the iron and the knit if you use a very low heat iron (wool mode). To refresh a piece, hang it briefly in a humid bathroom, then let it rest flat. Steam also helps to realign the fibers and prevent creases.

7. Pilling on cashmere: prevent and remove

Pilling occurs from friction (shoulders under a bag, sides, underarms). They are not a defect, but an excess of fluff on the surface. Use a cashmere comb or a quality fabric shaver, with short and light strokes, always on a dry and flat piece. Space out the passes to preserve the nap. To prevent, avoid friction with clingy materials and let the knit rest 24 hours between wears.

8. Treat a stain on cashmere: protocol by type

Act quickly, but without rubbing.

• Grease / makeup: sprinkle with Sommières earth, leave for 2–3 hours, brush gently, then hand wash.
• Wine / coffee / tea: dab with cold water, then soak with wool detergent; avoid hot water which sets stains.
• Sweat: rinse with clear lukewarm water, then gentle wash; acidity is neutralized with a diluted vinegar rinse.
• Ink: test a special wool stain remover locally, never pure; if in doubt, use a specialized dry cleaner.

9. Store and protect your cashmere: moth repellent & seasonality

Successful cashmere storage combines: impeccable cleanliness before storage (residues attract moths), careful folding, breathable cover, dry and temperate place. Slip in cedar, lavender or lemon thyme to repel naturally. Air out every two months. Avoid airtight plastic covers that retain moisture.

• Inter-season: rest 24 hours in the open air after the last wear, then gentle brushing before covering.
• Winter: alternate your pieces; the fiber resets during rest.
• Travel: roll the knit in a cotton cover, never loose in a bag.

10. How often to wash cashmere?

Cashmere does not need washing after each wear. Air out between uses. During intensive wear periods, wash every 4–6 wears, or as soon as a persistent odor appears. Opt for steam refreshes rather than successive washes.

11. Small repairs and long-term maintenance

A snagged knit? Do not cut the thread! On the reverse side, distribute the tension using a darning needle. For a small hole, request a graft (invisible repair) from a workshop. Stretched ribbing regains its shape after a gentle wash and corrective flat drying (reshape gently). For a sweater neckline, steam at a distance restores shape.

12. Colors & water: avoiding transfers

Wash dark shades, deep reds, and indigo separately. Set new colors with a quick initial bath and a diluted vinegar rinse. Use individual nets when washing multiple pieces in the machine.

13. Detergent for cashmere: what to choose, what to avoid

Choose a wool/liquid detergent with a mild pH, without enzymes or brighteners. Avoid bleach, softener, tumble dryer. Concentrated scented additives weigh down and impregnate the fiber; prefer a clean rinse. A dash of vinegar rinse (well diluted) helps close the scales, thus improving shape retention.

14. Scarves, openwork scarves, and cashmere accessories

Cashmere scarves and openwork pieces require even more measured actions: place them on a thick cloth during hand washing to avoid tension. For fringes, secure them with a cotton ribbon during the bath, then dry flat, straightening the strands with your fingertips.

15. Maintaining cashmere throughout the seasons

Spring: sorting, overall washing, moth inspection, folding, and covers. Summer: occasional airing, humidity control. Autumn: restart with light steam. Winter: alternate wears to let the fiber regain its shape. This rhythm ensures optimal durability.

16. 10 common mistakes to avoid

• Rubbing a cashmere sweater to remove a stain.
• Changing temperature between washing and rinsing.
• Wringing by twisting the knit.
• Hanging a wet sweater on a hanger.
• Using an enzymatic detergent or scented softener.
• Washing with pieces with zippers or Velcro.
• Drying in direct sunlight or on a radiator.
• Neglecting the 24-hour rest between wears.
• Storing without prior washing at the end of the season.
• Forgetting natural moth protection.

17. Express checklists

Hand wash — memo

• Cold water 20–30°C; wool detergent; no enzymes.
• Immerse, press gently; 5–7 min.
• Rinses at the same temperature; diluted vinegar option.
• Press in towel; flat drying; reshaping.

Machine wash — memo

• Wool program; 20–30°C; 400–600 rpm max.
• Individual net; half load.
• Liquid wool detergent; no softener.
• Flat drying only.

Seasonal storage — memo

• Wash before covering; brush, air out.
• Careful folding, breathable cotton cover.
• Cedar or lavender; dry, temperate place.

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Conclusion: a simple ritual, precise gestures

Cashmere reveals all its charm when treated with gentleness: cold water, limited movements, flat drying, light steam, and rest between wears. Regular maintenance enhances the texture and prolongs the life of the knit — a vision dear to Misciano, where quality and durability combine with a naturally elegant look.