How to Care for a Cashmere Sweater

There are few pleasures in a cold weather wardrobe quite like a good cashmere sweater. It is light yet warm, soft against the skin and quietly elegant. It is also an investment, and like any fine thing, it rewards a little care.

The good news is that cashmere is not as fragile as its reputation suggests. With a few simple habits, a well made sweater can stay beautiful for many years. Here is how to look after yours.

Know what you are caring for

Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. The fibers are very fine, which is what gives the fabric its softness and warmth without weight. That same fineness means the fibers can stretch, felt or pill if they are treated roughly.

Always read the care label first. Some garments, especially those with structured details, linings or embellishments, are best left to a trusted dry cleaner. Many plain knits, however, respond beautifully to gentle hand washing at home.

Wear it, then let it rest

Cashmere does not need washing after every wear. In fact, too much washing is one of the quickest ways to shorten its life. Airing the sweater overnight is often enough to refresh it between wears.

Give the fibers time to recover their shape. Letting a sweater rest for a day before wearing it again helps the knit relax back into place. Rotating between pieces also spreads the wear more evenly across your wardrobe.

Washing by hand

When it is time to wash, fill a clean basin with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of wool wash or a mild shampoo. Turn the sweater inside out and submerge it gently.

Let it soak for a few minutes, then press the water through the fabric with your hands. Never rub, twist or wring cashmere. Agitation is what causes felting and stretching, and the damage cannot be undone.

Rinse in clean water of the same temperature until the suds are gone. Sudden changes in temperature can also shock the fibers, so keep things consistent from start to finish.

Drying with patience

To remove water, lift the sweater in both hands so its weight does not stretch it. Lay it on a clean, dry towel and roll the towel up like a sleeping bag, pressing gently to absorb the moisture.

Unroll it and lay the sweater flat on a fresh towel or a drying rack, away from direct sun and radiators. Ease it back into its original shape, smoothing the sleeves and hem. Then simply leave it to dry, turning it once if needed.

Never hang a wet sweater and never put cashmere in a tumble dryer. Both can leave it misshapen for good.

Storing and refreshing it

Fold cashmere rather than hanging it. Hangers stretch the shoulders over time and can leave marks. A drawer or shelf with breathing room is ideal.

Before storing a sweater for the warmer months, make sure it is clean. Moths are drawn to natural fibers, particularly those carrying traces of skin oils or food. Store pieces in breathable cotton bags, and tuck cedar blocks or lavender sachets nearby as a natural deterrent.

Small balls of fiber, known as pills, are a normal part of wearing cashmere, especially where the fabric rubs, such as under the arms. They are not a sign of poor quality on their own.

Remove them gently with a cashmere comb or a fabric shaver, working with light strokes on a flat surface. Once the loose fibers are gone, pilling usually becomes much less noticeable over time.

A lasting companion

Caring for cashmere is really about slowing down. Wash it less, handle it gently, dry it flat and store it with thought. In return, it will keep its softness and shape season after season.

A beautifully kept sweater is a small luxury that grows more personal with every winter. Treat yours well, and it may become one of the most cherished pieces in your wardrobe.