It’s time to change the wardrobe and store your sweaters in the closet, a simple yet delicate step when it comes to fine fabrics such as cashmere. A quality garment is made to last, but to keep it at its best it is good to take care of it following some simple steps. To avoid damaging it, let’s see some advice on how to wash cashmere, how to take care of it and how to properly store it in your closet until next season.
How to take care of a cashmere garment
The first piece of advice to keep in mind with a cashmere garment is to let it rest between uses. In the case of a sweater, for example, it is good not to wear it for two consecutive days to preserve its natural softness, avoiding stressing the fibers.
This also helps to slow the formation of the so-called pilling, those small dots that appear on the fabric after some uses. The pilling phenomenon consists of an accumulation of short superficial fibers and is however quite natural, does not compromise the fabric nor is an indicator of low quality cashmere. Once formed, pilling can be easily removed before washing the garment, using a special brush.
How to wash cashmere, by hand or in the washing machine
People are often afraid to spoil a delicate garment by washing it, but with due care it is possible to maintain all its beauty over the years. There are just a few rules to follow to wash cashmere in the proper and safest way, which will ensure a great result both by hand and in the washing machine.
Hand washing is always to prefer for the most delicate fabrics such as cashmere: in this case, simply fill a basin with water and liquid detergent, soaking the garment for some minutes with a light massage and taking care not to wrinkle it too much. Then rinse with running water, always without wringing.
If you prefer the washing machine, use a liquid detergent specific for wool. The best choice would be a cold wash, removing stains from the garment previously if necessary, but if you want to choose an hot cycle be careful not to exceed the temperature of 30 ºC. Insert the garment in a linen protection bag or in a pillowcase, upside down in the case of a sweater, and set a specific program for wool with a speed of maximum 400 turns/minute. In both cases be careful not to mix colors and not to exceed with temperature or amount of detergent.
Dry and store the cashmere
Cashmere does not like the dryer, which can compromise the softness of the fabric, but you can use the towel trick: roll the garment in a white towel to absorb the excess of water, then spread it out on a surface protected from light and heat until completely dry. Avoid using clothespins and do not hang the wet garment, as it may lose its shape.
Once dried, if the garment has been spread out well it should not need ironing, but if it is necessary be careful to overturn the garment and to cover the fabric with a tissue so as not to touch it directly with the iron.
For the change of wardrobe, finally, put your clothes in an envelope or in a box to protect them. In this way, the cashmere will remain beautiful and soft as at first use, ready to accompany you for many more seasons.
