Cashmere is one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world and is beautifully soft to wear but what happens when madame casually hands you her cashmere top or something gets spilled on that ultra expensive throw that takes pride of place in the salon?
Don’t panic – it is possible to clean it without the need for dry cleaning (although if that is an option it may be the easiest bet!)
Firstly, unless the label specifically says so, do not put cashmere in the washing machine. Hand wash with a specialist product or if in a pinch a drop of baby shampoo.
Make sure the water is only lukewarm and don’t leave your item soaking for more than 30 minutes or so. Don’t wring out but rather gently squeeze out any water and then roll it up in a towel to get rid of as much moisture as possible. Dry the item flat as placing it on a hanger will weigh it down and could cause it to lose its original shape.
It’s also possible to spot treat small stains as washing Cashmere too often is also bad for its health!
When the item is ready to be returned, again don’t hang it as this will weigh it down. Fold items carefully and if they are going to be stored for some time a cotton or linen bag as well as some cedar balls or rings will stop any moths or other nasties from making it their home.
Some other tips:
– Washing items inside out will also help to reduce pilling or bobbling but, if there is any, you can use a razor or cashmere comb to remove these.
– Steaming will quickly take any creases out and is safer than ironing.
– Lavender sachets will also keep moths away.
Caring for cashmere is not as daunting as you may think, it has been around for centuries, and fun fact Cashmere is about 3 times warmer than wool despite being lighter in weight. This is due to the finer fibres and the way they trap heat more effectively.
