How to properly wash cashmere?

In my autumn-winter wardrobe, cashmere has always occupied a dominant place. I really love this material Luxurious tactile qualities, great looks and warmth. Despite its elegant structure, the fabric warms perfectly, so cashmere clothes are loose, thin and slimming.

In a word, this material has no shortcomings. Except one: it must be looked after very carefully. I wash sweaters and dresses made from this delicate fabric carefully by hand and only occasionally in the machine. I'll tell you in more detail how I do it at home.

Means and methods

I wash a cashmere sweater by hand in the following sequence:

1. I fill a large 20 liter basin with water at room temperature. Usually approximately 30 degrees. I don’t recommend doing it hot, it can negatively affect the structure of the material, it will subsequently shrink or stretch.
2. I pour it into the basin about half a bottle of shampoo. The standard container has a volume of about 200 ml.
3. I thoroughly stir the mixture until smooth.
4. I soak the cashmere item in water for several hours.
5. Using an ordinary small kitchen sponge (its hard part), from the inside out, gently rub the dirtiest places - armpits, sleeves, neckline.
6. I turn the basin into the bath and let it drain.
7. I make new water at the right temperature.
8. I lower the item into the basin and rinse it with gentle and gentle movements.
9. I change the water several times.
10. After the last procedure, I leave the product alone and lightly squeeze it on the bottom. Let the water drain for now.

To dry, you do not need to wait for the liquid to completely drain. It is advisable that it does not flow down like a stream, but that the thing is simply wet. Next, I dry it using a certain technology, which I’ll talk about below.

How does the chosen method depend on the quality of the fabric?

I have had several things from this material, and each behaved differently:

1. Chinese slim golf with a declared 50% cashmere, it became covered with pills after 2 hours of wear, and after the fifth wash it completely looked like a rag.
2. Sweater made from this wool from the legendary H&M brand served longer, one might even say, it has outlived its usefulness. It was purchased at a company store in my city. Was washed neatly and according to the standard.
3. I ordered a cashmere dress on the English F&F website and I still wear it to this day. Of course, I wash according to the algorithm; I never use hot water. But I dried it on a hanger, and even over the radiator. The short A-line dress only fits a little, but it fits almost as soon as you put it on and walk around a little in it. Moreover, the label said made in China!

In all cases, the composition was not 100% cashmere. I can only explain the phenomenon this way: China makes completely different products for export. What is intended for Russia and England has different production technology, composition of materials and their quality.

Therefore, I can confidently say: The more “Chinese” the fabric, the more carefully you need to treat it. I even washed the English dress in the washing machine on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees and without spinning. Thing!

Features of washing different cashmere products

The more modest the wardrobe detail, the easier it is probably. For example, a beret or stole requires a smaller volume of water, a standard basin, and a minimum amount of shampoo and conditioner. You already have to work with a dress or sweater in the bathroom.

How to wash cashmere and what not to do

To care for things made from the delicate wool of a high-mountain goat (yes, yes, that’s it!), special products are needed. I use a delicate liquid with a measuring cap and gentle properties. I like “Weasel wool and silk”, “Etel tenderness of silk and cashmere”, “Vorsinka”. I tried “BAS-cashmere” and didn’t like it, but maybe that’s why it didn’t work out that way for me.

In general, it is important to choose not only liquid powder, but also conditioner for delicate wool. Of the wonderfully “working” ones, I really liked “Laska” and “Lenore”. I also cheat and wash my cashmere sweater with “Eared Nanny” or “Stork” baby shampoo without additives or fragrances. However, fabric softener is a must; it makes the item soft and delicate.

I do not recommend washing in a washing machine. Even in delicate mode, problems are possible. In addition, you should not do this with regular powder, even if it is intended for children's things. Still, granules are an aggressive environment for fluffy material.

Educational program on the washing machine

Is it possible to use it? The question is ambiguous. I tried, but my heart bleeds when I hear the drum “working off” the sweater against the walls, even on the delicate mode. Besides, after drying, a number of pellets appeared under the arms. Perhaps it’s the quality of the material, but I decided not to take any more risks.

So, It is better to wash cashmere items by hand in a special product or in baby shampoo and conditioner.. Before you start, you need to do a few more manipulations.

Important! A cashmere coat should definitely be dry cleaned! At the same time, only to an establishment that is popular and treats its work responsibly.

How to prepare an item for the procedure?

Before washing, I lay out the sweater or dress on a horizontal surface and inspect it. If I see pellets formed, I carefully cut them off with a special machine, tape or razor. I carefully moisten the dirty spots and let them soak in moisture for about 30 minutes. After that, I scrape off the dirt with the hard side of a new kitchen sponge.

Important! If the stains are stubborn, it is better to moisten them with water and cover them with shampoo foam. I recommend “solving” the issue with stubborn stains with dry cleaning.

Means and methods

I wash a cashmere sweater by hand in the following sequence:

1. I fill a large 20 liter basin with water at room temperature. Usually approximately 30 degrees. I don’t recommend doing it hot, it can negatively affect the structure of the material, it will subsequently shrink or stretch.
2. I pour it into the basin about half a bottle of shampoo. The standard container has a volume of about 200 ml.
3. I thoroughly stir the mixture until smooth.
4. I soak the cashmere item in water for several hours.
5. Using an ordinary small kitchen sponge (its hard part), from the inside out, gently rub the dirtiest places - armpits, sleeves, neckline.
6. I turn the basin into the bath and let it drain.
7. I make new water at the right temperature.
8. I lower the item into the basin and rinse it with gentle and gentle movements.
9. I change the water several times.
10. After the last procedure, I leave the product alone and lightly squeeze it on the bottom. Let the water drain for now.

To dry, you do not need to wait for the liquid to completely drain. It is advisable that it does not flow down like a stream, but that the thing is simply wet. Next, I dry it using a certain technology, which I’ll talk about below.

How does the chosen method depend on the quality of the fabric?

I have had several things from this material, and each behaved differently:

1. Chinese slim golf with a declared 50% cashmere, it became covered with pills after 2 hours of wear, and after the fifth wash it completely looked like a rag.
2. Sweater made from this wool from the legendary H&M brand served longer, one might even say, it has outlived its usefulness. It was purchased at a company store in my city. Was washed neatly and according to the standard.
3. I ordered a cashmere dress on the English F&F website and I still wear it to this day. Of course, I wash according to the algorithm; I never use hot water. But I dried it on a hanger, and even over the radiator. The short A-line dress only fits a little, but it fits almost as soon as you put it on and walk around a little in it. Moreover, the label said made in China!

In all cases, the composition was not 100% cashmere. I can only explain the phenomenon this way: China makes completely different products for export. What is intended for Russia and England has different production technology, composition of materials and their quality.

Therefore, I can confidently say: The more “Chinese” the fabric, the more carefully you need to treat it. I even washed the English dress in the washing machine on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees and without spinning. Thing!

Features of washing different cashmere products

The more modest the wardrobe detail, the easier it is probably. For example, a beret or stole requires a smaller volume of water, a standard basin, and a minimum amount of shampoo and conditioner. You already have to work with a dress or sweater in the bathroom.

Some important laws of drying

You can’t wring out the item, just press it down a little on the side of the bathtub and let it drain. Moreover, it is absolutely It is not recommended to hang wet clothes on hangers, otherwise it will stretch out. And you can’t put it on the battery either; drying should be done in a well-ventilated area, avoid direct sunlight.

I use two large terry towels for a damp sweater. I do this:

• I lay out one towel on the table;
• I straighten the thing on it;
• cover with another towel;
• I roll up a loose roller and leave it for half an hour to an hour;
• I change towels several times;
• I finish drying the sweater in a horizontal position.

A must read!

1. Before starting the procedure, carefully read the product label. Very often, the delicate down of the alpine goat cannot be washed at all. In this case, dry cleaning in an appropriate establishment is indicated.
2. Often cashmere items contain not only down, but also other components. Keep in mind that if there is silk, then when washing, even with your hands, the paint of the print may “float”, and if viscose, then all you need is dry cleaning.
3. Choose means of the corresponding color. For example, if the conditioner is blue or pink, and the item is white, this will make its shade different, no matter what the manufacturers say.
4. During washing do not change the water temperature. I usually do this at a clear 30 degrees. Once I rinsed it in plain cold water from the tap, as a result, the product shrank three sizes.
5. Under no circumstances should you wash clothes made from delicate down with other items!
6. Do not squeeze the product. That is, you cannot rotate the rollers and other shapes. You can gently rinse consistently and transversely, and that’s it.
7. If there is any decor on the clothes, it is advisable cut it off to avoid staining. The metal can unexpectedly react with the product and produce an unpleasant result.
8. Are you confident in the quality of your product and decide to machine wash it? Place the item in a special bag, in this case the selected cycle will be even more delicate.
9. It is better to store cashmere clothes folded into a roll to avoid the formation of creases. For the winter, I wrapped my coat in thin tissue paper, because condensation, mold and other “delights” can appear in a plastic cover.
10. By the way, if you notice a moth in the closet, you can cool the item thoroughly - put it in a bag and in the freezer for a day.
11. Ironing cashmere clothing is not recommended. only steam with a special device. The steam will fluff up the pile beautifully.

My life hack: In order not to wash dark cashmere clothes often, you can wear a thin basic T-shirt underneath. Most often my clothes get dirty in the armpit area, and having underwear helps a lot in this case.