How to Wash Cashmere: The Complete Care Guide
You just invested in a beautiful cashmere sweater. It's soft, luxurious, and perfect. And then the thought hits you: "How am I going to wash this without ruining it?"
Here's the truth most people don't realize: cashmere is actually easier to care for than you think. In fact, hand-washing cashmere at home—done the right way—can be safer and more effective than dry cleaning. The key is understanding what cashmere needs and treating it with intention.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your cashmere soft, beautiful, and long-lasting for years to come.
What Is Cashmere? Understanding the Fiber
Before you wash your cashmere, it helps to understand what you're working with. Cashmere comes from the fine undercoat of cashmere goats—the soft layer of hair beneath the coarser outer coat. This is what makes cashmere so impossibly soft, warm, and coveted.
But here's the thing: that delicate nature that makes cashmere feel luxurious also means it needs gentle handling. Cashmere fibers are thinner and more delicate than regular wool, which means they're more prone to pilling and damage if you're rough with them.
The good news? When you treat cashmere with care, it rewards you with years of softness and beauty. It's an investment worth protecting.
Debunking the Dry-Cleaning Myth
Most cashmere items carry a label that says "dry clean only." Many people take this as gospel. But here's the secret: dry cleaning isn't necessarily better for cashmere than careful hand-washing. In fact, the harsh chemicals used in commercial dry cleaning can actually damage cashmere fibers over time.
Hand-washing with the proper technique is often gentler and more effective. Plus, you have complete control over what products touch your precious cashmere. And you save money in the process.
Method 1: Hand-Washing (The Gold Standard)
Hand-washing is the gentlest, most effective way to clean cashmere. It gives you complete control and requires just a few simple supplies.
Step-by-Step Hand-Washing Process
- Fill a basin with lukewarm water — Not hot, not cold. Lukewarm is key. Extreme temperatures can damage or shrink cashmere.
- Add gentle detergent — Use baby shampoo, a cashmere-specific wash, or a pH-balanced wool detergent. Regular laundry detergent is too harsh.
- Submerge your cashmere item — Gently place it in the water, allowing it to soak for a moment.
- Gently swish (don't rub) — Move the garment through the water with your hands, but don't scrub, wring, or twist. Imagine you're cradling it, not cleaning it.
- Soak for 10-15 minutes — This allows the detergent to work without you having to agitate the fabric. Patience is your friend here.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water — Change the water several times, gently squeezing the rinse water through the garment until all soap is gone. Residual detergent can leave stiffness.
- Final squeeze — Gently press the water out. Don't wring.
Pro tip: If your cashmere smells fresh and doesn't look dirty, you don't need to wash it. Many cashmere pieces benefit from airing out between wears rather than frequent washing. This extends their life significantly.
Method 2: Machine-Washing (When You Need Speed)
Yes, you can machine-wash cashmere—but only if you follow specific guidelines. Machine-washing is less gentle than hand-washing but acceptable if done carefully.
Machine-Washing Guidelines
- Use a mesh laundry bag — This adds a protective layer, preventing friction with other items in the machine.
- Choose delicate or wool cycle — Never use regular or heavy cycles. The gentle cycle uses lower water temperatures and reduced agitation.
- Use cold water — Warm water can shrink or damage cashmere.
- Avoid high-speed spinning — If your machine has options, choose low spin to minimize stress on the fibers.
- Use cashmere-specific or wool-safe detergent — Avoid regular detergent, bleach, enzymes, or fabric softeners. These are too harsh and can weaken fibers or cause pilling.
- Wash alone or with similar items — Don't mix cashmere with jeans, zippers, or rough textures.
Important: Machine-washing is convenient, but hand-washing is truly gentler. If your cashmere is an investment piece or if you wear it frequently, hand-washing is worth the extra few minutes.
Drying Your Cashmere: The Critical Step
How you dry cashmere is just as important as how you wash it. Improper drying can stretch, shrink, or damage your garment. Follow these steps carefully:
The Right Way to Dry Cashmere
- Never wring or twist — This is the biggest mistake people make. Wringing can permanently damage the fibers.
- Gently squeeze out excess water — Use your hands to carefully press water out, supporting the garment as you do.
- Lay it on a clean towel — Roll the wet cashmere in a clean, dry towel to absorb moisture. You can roll it up for a few minutes to let the towel absorb water.
- Reshape while damp — Gently stretch it back to its original shape and size. This is crucial for preventing shrinkage.
- Air dry flat — Lay it flat on a clean towel or drying rack, away from direct heat, sunlight, or radiators. Never hang cashmere, as this can cause stretching.
- Allow complete drying — This may take 24-48 hours. Patience is essential. Don't rush this step.
Warning: Never use a hair dryer, radiator, or direct heat. Never put cashmere in the dryer. These methods will damage the fibers irreversibly.
Preventing and Treating Pilling
One of the biggest complaints people have about cashmere is pilling—those little fuzzy balls that form on the surface. Here's what you need to know:
Pilling is normal and doesn't mean your cashmere is low-quality. High-quality cashmere pills too. Pilling happens when shorter fibers work their way to the surface through friction and wear. It's not a sign of damage—it's a sign you're wearing your cashmere.
How to Prevent Excessive Pilling
- Minimize friction — Avoid rubbing your cashmere against rough surfaces, bags, or jewelry
- Rotate your pieces — Don't wear the same cashmere sweater multiple days in a row
- Store properly — Fold rather than hang to reduce stress on fibers
- Wash gently — Rough washing increases pilling
How to Remove Pilling
- Use a cashmere comb — This specialized tool gently removes pills without damaging the underlying fabric
- Be gentle — Never use a razor or fabric shaver, which can create holes
- Comb lightly — Make gentle passes over the affected area
- Do this sparingly — Only when you actually see pilling, not as preventive maintenance
A light pilling after the first few wears is actually a sign of natural fibers working properly. It typically decreases over time as loose fibers are removed.
Storage: Keeping Cashmere Beautiful Between Wears
How you store your cashmere matters as much as how you wash it. Proper storage prevents damage, pilling, and pest problems.
The Right Way to Store Cashmere
- Fold, don't hang — Hangers can stretch cashmere. Fold items neatly on shelves or in drawers
- Use breathable storage — Cotton bags or boxes allow air circulation. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture
- Add cedar or lavender — These natural repellents keep moths and pests away without harsh chemicals
- Keep away from sunlight — Direct sunlight can fade colors over time
- Ensure cool, dry conditions — Moisture and heat can damage cashmere
- Air out before storing — Make sure your cashmere is completely dry before putting it away
Do's and Don'ts Quick Reference
✓ DO
- Use gentle detergent
- Hand-wash when possible
- Air dry flat
- Reshape while damp
- Use cool or lukewarm water
- Fold for storage
- Gently swish, never scrub
✗ DON'T
- Use harsh detergent or bleach
- Wring or twist
- Use hot water
- Machine dry or use heat
- Hang cashmere to dry
- Use fabric softener
- Scrub or rub vigorously
When to Consider Professional Care
While hand-washing is generally your best option, there are situations where professional cleaning might be worth considering:
- Your cashmere has a stubborn stain you can't remove at home
- Your cashmere is a high-value investment piece
- You're unsure about treating a specific issue
- You simply prefer not to wash delicate items yourself
If you choose professional cleaning, ask for gentle, eco-friendly methods. Traditional dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals that can damage cashmere over time.
The Long Game: Making Your Cashmere Last
Taking care of cashmere isn't complicated—it just requires intention. Every gentle wash, every careful dry, every thoughtful storage decision is an investment in longevity.
Quality cashmere, properly cared for, can last decades. That sweater you bought five years ago can still be as soft and beautiful as the day you purchased it. That's the promise of cashmere when you treat it with respect.
So the next time you hold that luxurious cashmere piece, remember: it's not fragile. It's worth protecting. And with the proper care techniques, you can enjoy its softness and warmth for years to come.
Your cashmere investment deserves nothing less.