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Fashion Sense · Ms. EvelyssHow to Wash a Cashmere Jumper at Home (Hand Wash, Machine and Drying)
Hand wash a cashmere jumper inside out in cool water, no warmer than 30°C, with a little wool detergent or baby shampoo. Soak for about five minutes, rinse at the same temperature, roll it in a towel to remove water, then reshape and dry it flat, away from radiators and sunlight.
“People treat cashmere like glass, then panic and leave it in a pile for months. It's hair, and a gentle wash is usually good for it. What it can't forgive is heat, a wrung-out twist or a radiator.”Her take
Can you really wash cashmere at home?
Usually, yes, but read the care label first. Many labels allow hand washing or a wool cycle. If yours says dry clean only, or the jumper has beading, a lining or a contrast colour you think might run, the cautious choice is a professional cleaner.
Test the colour if you're unsure. Dampen a hidden seam, press it with a white cloth and see if any dye transfers. Check the fibre content too: a cashmere blend might behave a little differently, so follow the care label for that exact garment.
How to hand wash a cashmere jumper, step by step
This takes about 15 minutes of actual work. Use a clean basin, because any traces of cleaning product can mark delicate fibres. Skip fabric softener, which leaves a coating on the fibres.
- Turn the jumper inside out and close any buttons or zips.
- Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water, no warmer than 30°C. It should feel barely warm on your wrist.
- Add a small amount of wool and cashmere detergent, or baby shampoo, and swish it through before the jumper goes in.
- Submerge the jumper and leave it for about five minutes. Press it gently through the water and focus on underarms and cuffs.
- Lift it out in a bundle, supporting the whole weight, and refill with clean water at the same temperature. Press it through until the water stays clear.
- Press out the water against the side of the basin. Don't wring or twist.
How to dry cashmere without stretching it
Lay the jumper on a clean, dry towel and roll them up together like a Swiss roll. Press the roll with your hands to pull the water into the towel. Unroll it, and repeat with a second dry towel if it's still dripping.
Lay the jumper flat on a fresh towel or a mesh rack. Gently pat it into shape, lining up shoulders, cuffs and hem, and measure it against another jumper if you're worried about shape. Turn it after several hours. Don't hang it, because the weight of the water pulls cashmere out of shape, and keep it away from radiators, hot pipes and direct sun.
Can you put cashmere in the washing machine?
Only if the care label allows it, and your machine has a proper wool or hand-wash programme. Use a mesh laundry bag, wool detergent, 30°C or below and the lowest spin available, ideally 600 or under. Take it out straight away and dry flat, exactly as you would a hand-washed jumper.
It carries more risk than washing by hand. Agitation and heat together can felt the fibres, which is what makes a jumper thick and small. Never tumble dry it, even on a cool setting, unless the care label specifically permits it.
How often should you wash cashmere?
There's no fixed number. Common advice runs from every three or four wears to every ten, so let wear decide: nearer three or four if it sits next to your skin, and longer with a fine layer underneath. Let it rest for a day between wears, folded on a shelf, and it will recover its shape.
Between washes, freshen it by airing it, or by holding a steamer a little way from the surface. If you need to iron, use a cool setting, with a clean cloth between the iron and the knit. Remove any bobbles by hand with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver, using a light touch.
How to store cashmere and keep moths away
Moths are drawn to the skin oils, sweat and food traces on worn fabric, and it's their larvae that eat the holes. So wash jumpers before storing them for any length of time. Make sure they're completely dry first, then fold them. Hangers make shoulders stretch and create those little peaks that are hard to remove.
Store cashmere in breathable cotton or linen bags, on a shelf or in a drawer you open regularly. Cedar or lavender can help as a mild deterrent, but they don't kill moths or replace clean clothes and a regular check. Keep cedar from touching the knit, and refresh it when the scent fades. If you find tiny holes, look through everything nearby, not just the piece you noticed.
Questions people ask
Can I use normal washing-up liquid on cashmere?
It's better not to. Use wool and cashmere detergent or baby shampoo, in a small amount, and rinse until the water stays clear.
How do I fix a cashmere jumper that has shrunk?
Try a gentle soak with hair conditioner and ease it back into shape while damp. Results vary, and a jumper that has felted won't fully recover.
Why did my cashmere go hard after washing?
Too much detergent or a poor rinse can leave fibres feeling stiff. Rinse it again in cool water, and dry it flat. Heat or heavy rubbing can cause lasting felting.
Is cashmere better washed or dry-cleaned?
Follow the care label. Where hand washing is allowed, it's a gentle, effective choice for plain knits. Choose a dry cleaner for beading, linings or colours that might run.
How long does cashmere take to dry?
It often takes around a day, depending on thickness and room conditions. Turn it after several hours, and make sure it's completely dry before folding.
The takeaway
Inside out, cool water, five minutes, never wring, roll in a towel, dry flat, and store clean and folded.
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