Washing Cashmere
our way.
The internet is filled with do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning your cashmere. Most care labels advise to “hand wash” or “dry clean only”. But how exactly do you wash by hand? (And don’t get us started about dry cleaning!) We would like to share our favourite method for cleaning cashmere - the one we use at Noble Cashmere.
How often?
First off, you should wash your cashmere regularly. It is very important to wash your sweater often to remove contaminants that can break down the fibers and attract moths (particularly before storing for the summer). The myth that you should not wash your cashmere often is based on the fear that doing so will ruin it or shorten its life. We have found the opposite to be true. If you follow these instructions your cashmere should last for many years.
Washing instructions
Click Below to watch our videos on how to wash your cashmere!
Part I
Part II
This 10-step guide is for one or two cashmere sweaters.
You may need more water and detergent depending on the number of sweaters you are washing.
1
Fill a sink or bucket with warm water (not cold).
Warm water allows the fibres to release any oils & food debris that might have been collected; this temperature ultimately cleans the sweater better than cold water does.
2
Add a gentle natural detergent to the water. We use about a tablespoon per sweater.
Follow product instructions for the amount to add
(based on the detergent and number of garments being washed).
3
Place your sweater(s) in the water and push it down to fully submerge.
Let the sweater(s) rest in the wash water for about 10 minutes.
Gently knead each garment in the soapy water for 15-30 seconds to help the soap absorb into the fibres.
Cashmere is quite hardy and can handle gentle agitation without shrinking.
4
Drain the sink.
Squeeze out each sweater to remove excess water and place the damp sweater(s) aside.
5
Fill up the sink (or bucket) again with lukewarm water.
Add 1 cap full of white vinegar (approximately 1 tablespoon).
Vinegar is our secret rinsing ingredient: it helps remove detergent residue, lingering odours,
and its slight acidity makes your cashmere softer and more lustrous.
6
Submerge the sweater(s) in the clean vinegar bath and squeeze a few times to rinse out the detergent.
If you used too much detergent in the wash water you may need to do a second rinse.
7
Drain the sink.
Squeeze out each sweater to remove excess water.
8
Transfer your sweater(s) to a washing machine (front or top loader).
Set the cycle to spin only (not rinse and spin cycle).
If you don’t have a washing machine to spin your sweater(s), use the towel method listed below:
Rest a clean towel open on a flat surface and place the sweater flat on the towel.
Starting from one end, roll the towel, with the sweater in it, until it is completely rolled up.
Now compress the towel to squeeze the water out of the sweater (we like to stand on the towel!)
9
Remove the sweater(s) from the machine (or towel) and gently reshape them.
10
To Dry:
Light sweater: hang the garment with a wide hanger
(nothing with sharp corners, so it doesn’t leave shoulder bumps).
Heavier sweater: lay the garment flat on a fresh towel to dry.
Or drape a towel over the top of a door to dry the sweater there.
We hope this laundering method helps you keep your cashmere in pristine condition for many years to come!