How to Care for a Cashmere Sweater

Cashmere Care Is Simple — But Specific

A cashmere sweater that is cared for properly lasts a decade or longer. One that is thrown in the regular laundry lasts a season. The difference is not effort — caring for cashmere takes about 15 minutes per wash. The difference is knowing the five or six rules that matter and following them every time.

Washing

How Often

Less than you think. Cashmere does not need washing after every wear — in fact, washing too frequently wears the fiber down faster than wearing it does.

• Over a base layer: Every 5-7 wears
• Against skin, light activity: Every 3-4 wears
• Heavy activity or visible soiling: After each wear
• Before seasonal storage: Always

Between washes, air the sweater overnight on a flat surface after wearing. This lets moisture evaporate and odors dissipate naturally.

Hand Washing (Recommended)

1. Fill a basin with cold water (30°C / 86°F max) and one teaspoon of cashmere detergent or baby shampoo
2. Turn inside out, submerge, soak 20 minutes — press gently a few times, no rubbing
3. Rinse in cold water until clear (2-3 rinses)
4. Roll in a towel and press to remove water — never wring
5. Lay flat on a dry towel, reshape to original dimensions, air dry 12-24 hours

For the detailed version: hand washing guide.

Machine Washing (If Your Machine Qualifies)

Safe only if your machine has: a wool/delicate cycle, cold water, and low spin (600 RPM max). Use a mesh bag, cashmere detergent, and wash alone. Remove immediately when done. Dry flat — never tumble dry.

Details: machine washing guide.

Drying

The rules are absolute:

• Always lay flat. Hanging stretches wet cashmere from water weight — shoulders first, then the entire body.
• Never tumble dry. Heat + tumbling = shrinkage + felting. One dryer cycle can ruin a sweater permanently.
• Reshape while damp. Cashmere sets its shape as it dries. Smooth shoulders, align seams, correct length and width before leaving it to dry.
• Keep away from heat. No radiators, no hair dryers, no direct sunlight. Room temperature air drying only.

To speed up drying safely, use a room fan from a distance or a raised mesh drying rack for airflow underneath.

Depilling

Pilling is normal — it happens on all cashmere, even the highest grades. Pills form when short surface fibers work loose through friction and tangle into tiny balls. It is not a defect. It is physics.

How to Remove Pills

• Cashmere comb: The gentlest method. Lay the sweater flat and sweep the comb in one direction across pilled areas. The fine teeth catch and lift the pills without pulling on the knit.
• Electric fabric shaver: Faster for heavy pilling. Hold the shaver flat against the fabric and move in slow, straight passes. Do not press hard — let the blade do the work.
• Manual razor (last resort): A disposable razor works but carries a higher risk of cutting the knit. Use only on flat surfaces with very light pressure.

Depill after every 3-4 wears during the first season. Pilling decreases dramatically after the loose surface fibers have been removed — by the second season, you should rarely need to depill.

Stain Treatment

The universal approach: blot (never rub), treat with the right agent for the stain type, rinse with cold water.

• Coffee/tea: White vinegar diluted in cold water, dab on, wait 10 min, rinse
• Oil/grease: Cornstarch on the stain for 30+ minutes, brush off, spot wash
• Wine: Salt on the wet stain to absorb, brush off, rinse cold
• Blood: Cold salt water soak — never hot water, which sets protein stains permanently
• Deodorant marks: Rub gently with a dry microfiber cloth

Full stain guide with 9 stain types: cashmere stain removal.

Storage

Daily Storage

• Always fold, never hang. Hangers create permanent shoulder bumps. Fold at the waist and along the sleeves.
• Store on top of the drawer stack, not under heavy items
• Keep away from direct sunlight (UV fades color unevenly)

Seasonal Storage

1. Wash everything before storing — body oils attract clothes moths
2. Dry completely — even slight dampness causes mildew over months
3. Use breathable containers — cotton garment bags or canvas boxes. Never sealed plastic (traps moisture) or vacuum bags (crushes fiber loft permanently)
4. Add moth deterrents — cedar blocks and lavender sachets. Avoid naphthalene mothballs.
5. Check every 6-8 weeks — open the container, air the cashmere, inspect for moth damage

Full storage guide: cashmere storage.

Wrinkle Removal

Use a handheld steamer held 6-8 inches from the fabric — never touch the nozzle to the cashmere. No iron (too hot, creates shiny flat spots). For a quick fix without equipment, lay a damp towel over the wrinkled area for 15-20 minutes.

Details: wrinkle removal guide.

Year-Round Care Calendar

Season	Care Tasks
Autumn	Retrieve from storage, air for a day, inspect for any moth damage. Depill if needed before first wear.
Winter	Wash every 3-7 wears. Depill monthly. Air overnight after each wear. Spot clean stains promptly.
Spring	Wash all cashmere before storing. Dry thoroughly. Fold into breathable containers with cedar/lavender.
Summer	Check stored cashmere every 6-8 weeks. Air briefly, rotate stack positions, refresh cedar if scent has faded.