Luxe for Less: The Ultimate Guide to Cashmere Care

Cashmere: The Pinnacle of Softness

Cashmere isn't just wool; it's a luxurious fiber obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats. These goats, known for their incredibly warm coats despite minimal fat, live in harsh climates like Inner Mongolia in China. Once a year, their soft underfur is gently collected through combing or brushing.

The resulting cashmere fibers are incredibly fine, making them incredibly soft, breathable, and surprisingly lightweight. Often compared to the Rolls Royce of fabrics, cashmere offers unparalleled comfort and warmth, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking the ultimate in luxury.

How to Identify High-Quality Cashmere
With the growing demand for cashmere, it's crucial to be discerning about quality before making a purchase. Many mass-produced garments don't match the quality of traditional cashmere. Often, the wool is blended with other fibers, or the undercoat isn't properly separated from the rest of the coat. To ensure you're getting high-quality cashmere, look for pure, soft, and durable fibers. Avoid blends and be wary of overly cheap prices, which often indicate lower-quality materials.

Identifying High-Quality Cashmere: Key Indicators
When assessing cashmere quality, consider the following details:

• Softness: High-quality cashmere should never itch; it feels exceptionally soft against the skin.
• Pilling: Finer cashmere is shinier and produces less pilling over time.
• Fiber Length: Premium cashmere fibers are at least 36-40 mm long. Shorter fibers tend to attract more lint.
• Thread Count: Garments made from more threads are warmer, more durable, and more sustainable.

By checking these factors, you can ensure you're investing in high-quality cashmere.

Signs of Low-Quality Cashmere

• Pilling: Low-quality cashmere creates more pilling, although all weaves will produce some pilling.
• Durability: It rips more easily and doesn’t withstand wear as well.
• Warmth: It won't keep you as warm and cozy as high-quality cashmere.

In fashion, quality doesn't always match the price tag, but with cashmere, the quality is often reflected in the price. If it's too cheap, you likely can't expect high quality. By being mindful of these indicators, you can make informed choices when purchasing cashmere.

How to Wash and Care for Cashmere Garments
You’ve invested in a beautiful cashmere garment, worn it, and now it's time to care for it. Fortunately, caring for cashmere is easier than you might think.

How Often Should I Wash Cashmere?
Cashmere, like wool, has self-cleansing properties. To keep it fresh, hang your cashmere garments outdoors to air out, preferably overnight after wearing them. Only wash your cashmere when it becomes visibly dirty or starts to smell despite airing. This approach minimizes wear and tear, helping your cashmere last longer.

By following these guidelines, you can maintain the quality and longevity of your cashmere pieces while keeping them clean and fresh.

Can I Dry Clean Cashmere?
Many cashmere garments are labeled "dry clean only," and for heavily stained items, the dry cleaner is recommended. Their stain removal treatments are more effective than home methods. However, frequent dry cleaning can damage the fibers and is less environmentally friendly. Whenever possible, wash your cashmere at home to preserve its quality and reduce environmental impact.

By opting for home washing whenever you can, you'll keep your cashmere in better condition and make a more sustainable choice.

Can I Machine Wash Cashmere?
Yes, you can machine wash cashmere if you have a modern washing machine with a Wool or Hand Wash Program. These programs are gentle and designed to mimic hand washing, preventing the garment from being twisted while wet. Always machine wash using these settings and never at temperatures over 30°C. Opt for a short spin cycle of 800 RPM or less to remove excess water without causing damage.

By following these guidelines, you can safely machine wash your cashmere garments and maintain their quality.

Shouldn't a Garment Like This Be Hand Washed?
Many care labels will instruct you to hand wash cashmere garments. Hand washing is the safest option for very delicate pieces. However, the downside is that it's difficult to rinse out all detergent residues when hand washing. Modern washing machines with a Wool or Hand Wash Program can be a good alternative, as they are gentle and ensure thorough rinsing, preserving the quality of your cashmere.

Steam Instead of Ironing
A newly washed cashmere sweater may appear misshapen. You can easily restore its shape by steaming it. Steaming cashmere is gentle and safe, helping the garment regain its original form and luster. If you prefer using an iron, set it to the lowest setting and never press it directly on the fabric. Place a cloth between the iron and the cashmere to protect the fibers from being flattened.

Using a steamer is a gentle and risk-free way to keep your cashmere looking its best.

Fold, Don’t Hang

Always store your cashmere garments folded in a drawer between uses. Hanging them on a hanger can cause the fibers to stretch and lose their shape prematurely. By folding your cashmere, you help preserve its form and extend its lifespan.

Proper storage is essential to maintaining the quality and appearance of your cashmere pieces.

Protect Cashmere from Moths and Other Vermin
Cashmere, like other wool, can attract moths and vermin. To protect your garments:

• Store in Cotton Bags: Keep each garment in a cotton bag to make them inaccessible to pests.
• Use Cedar Wood: Spray with cedar wood oil or store with cedar wood bricks, balls, or rings to repel moths. Scrape cedar wood occasionally to refresh the scent.
• Wash Regularly: Clean worn garments regularly, as dirty cashmere is more attractive to pests than clean cashmere.

By following these steps, you can keep your cashmere safe from vermin and in pristine condition.

Remove Lint and Pilling
All cashmere will eventually pill, especially in high-friction areas. Higher quality cashmere tends to pill less. To remove pilling and lint, use a fabric shaver designed for cashmere. Start with gentle pressure and gradually increase, sweeping the shaver over the pilled areas without pressing too hard. This will help restore your cashmere to its smooth, like-new appearance.

By regularly debobbling your cashmere, you can maintain its luxurious feel and appearance for years to come. 

Remove Hair and Dust
Woolly sweaters tend to attract hair and dust. To keep your cashmere clean:

Shake Outside: Give your sweater a good shake outside to remove dust.
Use a Lint Brush: Pet hair is easily removed with a lint brush, which catches hairs in one sweep. Unlike sticky lint rollers, lint brushes don’t leave glue residues that attract more hair and can be used repeatedly without reloading.

By using these methods, you can keep your cashmere free of hair and dust, maintaining its pristine appearance.