How to wash cashmere step by step - Discover how to take good care of this delicate fabric so that it lasts

By Mariola Baez. 20 January 2022

Cashmere or cashmere is a natural fiber, a very special type of wool that originally comes from the breed of goat from which it takes its name. Sweaters, scarves, gloves, cardigans... the garments made with this fiber are a delight to the touch and are also warm like few others, so they are perfect for staying very warm in the coldest months of the year. The problem arises when it comes to washing them because cashmere is a delicate wool that requires some care to keep it in perfect condition. Learn how to wash cashmere or cashmere step by step in this OneHOWTO article and take note of some tricks so that your garments remain as beautiful and pleasant as the first day for a long time.

How to wash cashmere step by step

As a first piece of advice, it must be said that it is not advisable to abuse washing in this type of garment. Of course, you will have to do it when they are dirty, but a cashmere jumper should not be washed constantly (for example after a single short wear). When necessary, wash your cashmere garments following these steps and you will see that they do not become deformed or damaged. The best way to do it is always resorting to hand washing.

1. Before proceeding with washing, shake the garment gently to remove any dirt that has not adhered to it and turn it inside out, that is, wash it inside out.
2. Take a large container, a basin, and fill it with warm water. Water temperature is a very important detail when caring for cashmere. Never use hot water as this will undoubtedly damage these delicate wool fibres. The water should be between cold and slightly warm, without exceeding 20 ºC.
3. Add 1-2 capfuls of liquid hand soap for delicate garments (do not use powdered soap). Another option may be to wash the garment with a neutral shampoo. Stir with your hand so that the soap dissolves and generates foam.
4. Introduce and submerge the cashmere in the water without squeezing or rubbing. Let it soak for between 8 and 15 minutes, depending on how dirty it is, but don't overdo it. Too much soaking could contribute to warping the garment.
5. After this time, and only if it is essential due to the presence of a stain, you can increase the action of the soap by gently and slowly removing the garment with your fingers in a subtle 'massage' for a couple more minutes.
6. At the time of rinsing, empty the container and put clean water (equally lukewarm). Do not wring the garment. Let the water act by leaving the cashmere in the clean water so that it releases the soap. After a few minutes, empty again and if there is a lot of foam left, you can repeat the operation.
7. Finally, comes the delicate moment of removing excess water from the garment and putting it to dry. When you finally empty the basin, carefully press the cashmere sweater (or any other garment) against one of the sides of the container to remove much of the retained water. It is about pressing lightly so that the water drains, without twisting the garment in any case.
8. After this first drying step, put the cashmere on a clean towel and roll it up loosely with the garment inside. Leave it like this for a few minutes so that the moisture passes from the cashmere to the towel.
9. Finally, spread the garment out on a flat, smooth surface, placing it on another cloth or towel, and let it finish drying naturally. Do not hang it, to prevent it from becoming deformed, nor leave it exposed to dry in the sun. Ideally, leave it spread out in a room in the house that is well ventilated so that it takes less time to dry, even if it takes a while, it will be worth it because it will look like new.

If you are in a hurry and need to wash the cashmere in the washing machine, you can do it by always protecting the garment in a special cover for washing (also putting it in a pillowcase). In addition, you will have to choose the specific washing program for delicate garments, avoiding the spin cycle.

Cashmere care

In addition to washing cashmere the right way, some tips that will help your garment look great for years to come include:

Now that you know how to wash cashmere step by step and the best care to make it last longer in perfect condition, you may want to learn about other fabrics and their care when washing them:

If you want to read more articles similar to How to wash cashmere, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.