Cashmere and merino products are in great demand, especially during the cold season. Both of them retain heat well, are made from natural materials and are pleasant to the touch. What to prefer: cashmere or merino? And what are the main advantages of each type of yarn? We will talk about this in our article.
What is the difference between cashmere and merino yarn
Let's start with the main difference. Cashmere is down that is hand-plucked from mountain goats. Merino is the wool of fine-wool sheep. Despite their similar appearance, the properties of goat and sheep wool differ significantly. Dyes fade on cashmere products, so real cashmere comes only in brown, gray and white tones. A brightly colored item directly indicates that it contains a certain percentage silks. But merino yarn can be dyed any color. It is much more durable than cashmere - it can last over 10 years and look like new. But cashmere clothes are several times warmer.
Cashmere is washed in lukewarm water using the most gentle detergents, such as baby shampoo. It is not recommended to clean it at all in order to preserve the appearance of the product. Merino yarn is more practical. It can be washed and cleaned.
Which is better, cashmere or merino
There is no clear answer to this question. Cashmere is considered a more expensive and elite type of yarn. However, in practice, both materials have undeniable advantages. Which one to choose depends on taste, favorite clothes, weather conditions and financial capabilities. In the winter season, especially in frost, it is more advisable to buy warmer cashmere items. In spring and autumn, products are made from thinner yarn - merino.
Don't forget about the quality of wool. So, instead of low-quality cashmere, you can buy clothes made from merino wool for the same price. A win-win option would be to buy a product made from a mixed fabric composition.
What is cashmere: its description and quality characteristics
Cashmere is not wool, but the down of mountain goats that live in India, Mongolia, Iran and China. In winter, the climate in these places can be very harsh. And goats, to protect themselves from frost, grow a thick undercoat. As the weather gets warmer, they molt. At this time, the fluff is collected. It is combed out by hand, avoiding coarse hair from the top layer, and then washed thoroughly.
Cashmere down is three times thinner than human hair. From one goat you can get from 150 to 200 grams of pure cashmere per year. Therefore, products made from such material are very expensive!
Things made from real cashmere are extremely soft, delicate and pleasant to the touch. They hardly roll up, do not stretch and do not cause allergies.Cashmere practically does not absorb odors, which ensures a long-lasting feeling of freshness and comfort. In terms of softness it can be compared with silk. Some companies specialize in producing special types of products, for example, from baby goat down.
What is merino: its description and quality characteristics
Merino wool is obtained from fine-wooled Merino sheep. These animals were first bred in Spain and Portugal, and later in Australia and New Zealand. Merino wool has a number of undeniable advantages. It is much thinner than ordinary sheep's wool, but retains heat perfectly. Very soft, not scratchy at all, light and durable at the same time.
Merino items are resistant to various stains. It is enough to simply shake off the dirt from your clothes, and it will not be absorbed. This wool is capable of absorbing up to one-third of its volume of moisture. Thanks to this property, the human body remains dry and warm. Merino wool does not irritate the skin and has excellent antibacterial properties. Therefore, it is very often used to create children's clothing.
Using cashmere and merino yarn: for which products
Due to the complex and specific structure of cashmere fabric, it is not suitable for the production of all clothing. It is usually used to make coats, soft berets, scarves and scarves. Cashmere sweaters and dresses are especially popular. Merino wool is used more widely to create almost all types of clothing: sweaters, hats, gloves and socks.
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I attended the presentation of things made from merino wool: blankets, pillows (pillowcases), rugs, slippers, vests, belts, ponchos. Undecided, because... I don't know, we need this. Memory pillows and merino wool pillowcases. I think you need to wash it very delicately, otherwise everything can be ruined. I was at the presentations of the Bauer company, there is a merino pillow (pillowcase), the pillow inside doesn’t seem to have a memory, it looks like a paralon with holes, I like products made from merino, but it’s embarrassing to care for, for example, there are chair seats, I washed one and ruined it became smaller in size, washed on wool, perhaps it should be washed by hand and dried without a turbo. Although the woman who gave the presentation claims that she washes wool in a machine, well, I don’t know, the things are beautiful, I’m afraid of ruining them.