https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:10:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738946 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:25:31 +0000 MsMaven 738946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also wash cashmere and some wool sweaters in the washer. Years ago I read that you can pre-warm your dryer on low for two minutes, then change to air dry (no heat) and put the sweaters in for two minutes, then lay them flat. </p> <p>After a silk blouse came back from the cleaners with the spots still in, I just washed it myself and let it hang dry, then pressed it. Clean and wearable. (I hate pressing, but it's worth it.) </p> <p>Tailored, structured garments (such as blazers) or print fabrics and some colored things shouldn't be hand washed. The interfacing and lining might shrink and colors might not be stable. Sweaters come out great, though. I </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738924 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:07:58 +0000 Anonymous 738924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the link, MNsara. I plan to try it! I like that it has so many good reviews and that the unscented version is less $. Must be a great product. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738910 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:51:48 +0000 MNsara 738910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ruth - Eucalan also has a unscented version on Amazon</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DEJMQ0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&#038;smid=A1B7M9EQGNCLQA" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....M9EQGNCLQA</a></p> <p>I also started washing my own cashmere, but I do it in my machine on hand-wash cycle, inside out. I also tumble dry it on low for 5 minutes or so before laying flat to dry. I started when I demoted some cashmere to lounge wear and it turned out SO soft and fluffy I was hooked.</p> <p>For non-loungewear, I started to write down the sweater's measurements before washing so if there's any blocking I need to do, it dries sized right: armpit to armpit, size of bottom hem, overall length.</p> <p>I do merino wools this way too. I use my regular detergent (Target Up &amp; Up powder) and have been very happy so far. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738873 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:16:29 +0000 Parsley 738873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have washed my sweaters for years, including machine washing my older cashmere sweaters on gentle, with no problems, but I had never heard of Eucalan. It sounds excellent, so I've just ordered a bottle from Amazon.<br /> Thanks for the heads up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738863 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:59:26 +0000 RedM 738863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I handwash cashmere, merino, and silk.. I use mild dish soap and a splash of vinegar. I rinse it, roll it in a towel and lay flat to dry. My husband accidentally washed a cashmere sweater in the washer once and unfortunately put it in the dryer. It's a fuzzy mess and I would not recommend it. I've heard there's some trick to putting silk in the refrigerator to prevent wrinkling, but I haven't tried it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738840 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:33:52 +0000 Inge 738840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beth, you daring creature;-))</p> <p>Glad to hear your cashmere sweater is now fluffier than ever!<br /> I've been hand washing all my wool and cashmere jumpers for years, and am very happy with the results. (btw: I also use Diana's "wrap 'em in a towel and walk all over them" method, it really does help speed up the drying process.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738833 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:16:03 +0000 Nadya 738833@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Ruth Soak does have a fragrance free version, though of course it might still irritate your skin. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738823 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:59:15 +0000 Anonymous 738823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ironkurtin: What shampoo do you use? Because my DH is allergic to fragrance and I have sensitive skin, I doubt I could ever use Eucalan or Soak, and I never have cared for Woolite. I do the same thing you do--put the so-called "hand wash only" or "dry clean only" items in a zippered pillow case and wash on gentle cycle in cold water. My mom was a professional seamstress, and taught me all about fabrics. I know that many "dry clean only" items don't really have to be dry cleaned, but that it's the heat of the dryer that harms them. For this reason, I don't ever put such items in the dryer. I do, however, take suits and winter coats to the dry cleaner. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-738754 Thu, 04 Oct 2012 06:36:13 +0000 siniestra 738754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hand wash it usually clothes last longer and add baby shampoo instead of regular detergents </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737460 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:38:26 +0000 Beth 737460@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL, Laurinda. My goats hate rain but nobody has shrunk yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737448 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:33:26 +0000 Laurinda 737448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As far as I know, goats are well adapted to rain showers, LOL. I think the danger of washing knit wool items comes from 'felting' -- vigorous rubbing between wet fibers causes them to lock together and shrink the item.</p> <p>@BethL - what a sweet sentiment! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737435 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:25:36 +0000 BethL 737435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another hand-washer here, too. I grew up with a grandmother who was a fabulous seamstress and knitter/crocheter. She made me beautiful, special things and taught me how to take care of them. I think of her each and every time I block a sweater or one of my own hand knits. When I was in high school and college, I used to think hand-washing was such a pain. Now that I'm 50, I treasure the memories it holds for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737430 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:21:49 +0000 DeclawedJaguar 737430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I too handwash all my sweaters. Dishwashing liquid (Joy is my favorite) also works really well without being damaging, especially on oily stains. I refuse to dry clean things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737422 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:15:57 +0000 ironkurtin 737422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wash my cashmere in the washer on gentle, turned inside out, inside pillow cases, with shampoo. Then I put them in the drier on low and hang when they are only slightly damp. Works great.</p> <p>Cashmere is hair, so it works!</p> <p>Wool isn't hair, it's pelt or something, which is why you cant do this with wool. That is strictly a hand-wash job. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737385 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:53:21 +0000 Diana 737385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay! I hand wash all my sweaters. I've read that gentle hand washing is actually better for your cashmere than dry cleaning because the dry cleaning chemicals cause the cashmere fibers to become brittle and shorten the life of the garment.</p> <p>I confess I even use my regular detergent (it's one without scent or color, though, so it may be gentler than normal) since I don't like the smells of the special detergents. I have heard that Soak now has an unscented version though, so I might try it out.</p> <p>PS - If you want the sweater to dry faster, here is a trick. After rolling the wet sweater up in a towel, put it on the floor and walk on it (with clean feet of course!). Your body weight will press a lot more water out of the sweater without wringing than your hands can. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737382 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:52:43 +0000 Beth 737382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Debora, I looked but couldn't find Eucalan locally. I ended up ordering it from Amazon. It's marketed as "no-rinse" but I did give my sweater a quick swish in clear water after soaking. And then I rolled it up in a towel like Ann said, before blocking it to dry. So far, so good! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737346 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:32:21 +0000 Ann in New England 737346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Any yarn shop/knitting store should have either Eucalan or Soak.<br /> BTW, I've been told by fiber experts that Woolite is the WORST thing to use to wash hand knits. My mom didn't believe it, but I got her a bottle of Eucalan and now she's sold. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737343 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:30:01 +0000 Debora 737343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for the info, Beth! I've never heard of this product before and will need to look for it. Keep us posted on your experiments. I hate sending things to the dry cleaner and would rather not have my clothes cleaned with chemicals! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737341 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:24:27 +0000 Caro in Oz 737341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another hand-washer here. I hate the smell of dry cleaned clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737335 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:16:43 +0000 Ann in New England 737335@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wash all of my sweaters in Eucalan -- love the smell! I realized when I started knitting that it just made sense. The agitation of a washing machine is what makes sweaters felt (aka, shrink), The trick is to soak and gently push, without twisting, rubbing or wringing. Roll up in a towel and then unroll and dry flat.</p> <p>I think manufacturers put 'dry clean only' on tags to protect themselves from people who don't follow instructions like "hand wash only." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737325 Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:10:11 +0000 Beth 737325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad to hear that it works well for others!</p> <p>April, I'm starting to believe it. My test sweater may never have felt so deliciously fluffy and soft before. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737292 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:56:45 +0000 April 737292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beth, I've heard that cashmere really prefers to be washed, in spite of the persistence of "Dry Clean Only" on the labels. Some people even swear you should toss it in the dryer, but I'm not that brave. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737224 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:17:05 +0000 JAileen 737224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've washed wool and cashmere sweaters with baby shampoo for years with good success. It's gentle and smells nice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737219 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:09:59 +0000 Keix 737219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wash all of my cashmere and merino wool sweaters. Formerly with baby shampoo, and now with Eucalan because I love the no-rinse aspect. I don't have any really expensve ($100+) sweaters, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737195 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:48:00 +0000 Beth 737195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kelly, that's good to know. I have a feeling I'll be going through a few bottles.</p> <p>Suz, do you also wash merino successfully? I'm eyeing my very favorite merino sweater right now...</p> <p>Jem, wash away! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737179 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:42:53 +0000 Jem 737179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's great! I haven't wanted to buy any for that reason, so that's good to know that you can wash them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737174 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:40:52 +0000 Suz 737174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FAB!! </p> <p>I wash all my wool sweaters. And my silk blouses, too. The only things I send for dry cleaning are wool coats and blazers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737172 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:39:12 +0000 kellygirl 737172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>woohoo! There's also a nice wash called Soak that smells good too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/i-did-it-i-washed-a-dry-clean-only-cashmere-sweater#post-737169 Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:37:07 +0000 Beth 737169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know, my life is so wild. :O</p> <p>But really, I've been unhappy with dry-cleaning for so long. It's expensive, my clothes still don't feel all that clean, they smell like chemicals, and they're pressed into oblivion.</p> <p>So I bought a bottle of Eucalan fabric wash, took a deep breath, and plunged my sweater in the sink. Blocked it, let it dry, and OMG. It's amazing. My sweater is fluffy and soft in a way that it probably hasn't been since I bought it.</p> <p>I'd type more, but I've developed a new obsession. Must go wash more sweaters... </p>