https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:08:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1097873 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 23:06:02 +0000 Beth 1097873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's what I did, Alecia: started with the sweater I cared about least. When it came out perfectly, I was much more comfortable washing the others.</p> <p>Good luck, and let us know how it goes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1097694 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 19:44:15 +0000 Alecia 1097694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful response! I think I'm going to take the plunge (pun intended). You've given me wonderful tips AND confidence. All that being said, I think I'll start with the one sweater that was the least of an investment. Thanks, everyone! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1096081 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 00:38:41 +0000 ironkurtin 1096081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been washing my cashmeres in the washer and throwing them into the drier for years now.&nbsp; No problems.&nbsp; I actually have the opposite experience from Angie: when I dry clean cashmere, it comes back stiff and not fluffy at all.&nbsp; And I don't like hand-washing because of all the squeezing and rinsing.&nbsp; But I can see why it might freak you out.&nbsp; So we'll start slow...</p> <p>- Use a mild shampoo if you can.&nbsp; Cashmere is hair.&nbsp; Also, after a shampoo your sweaters will smell delicious.</p> <p>- Turn your sweater inside out and place it inside a pillowcase.&nbsp; Tie with a rubber band.</p> <p>- Wash on cold, gentle.</p> <p>- Pull out the sweater, shape it, and hang to dry.&nbsp; Use a wide hangar.&nbsp; To avoid shoulder bumps, put the sleeve cuffs up on the shoulder (so the weight doesn't drag the sweater down).</p> <p>- When the sweater is dry, put it in the drier for 15 minutes to fluff.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1096001 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 22:39:56 +0000 Caro in Oz 1096001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Sveta &amp; Gaylene </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095867 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 20:02:37 +0000 Diana 1095867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will add that you're much more likely to get pilling and felting while you are&nbsp;<i>wearing</i> the sweater as opposed to washing it. &nbsp;For example, moisture and friction happen in your underarms when you're wearing a sweater. &nbsp;It's just part and parcel of wearing wool and cashmere, although I do tend to layer a cami or tee underneath like Jenava says and that reduces it somewhat. </p> <p></p> <p>Cashmere is harder to felt than wool (from sheep) IME, so I really wouldn't worry about it in the wash.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095737 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:58:42 +0000 dustt 1095737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a couple of REALLY old cashmeres from my Dad - that have never been to the cleaners - in say 40 years - no felting at all - now there is some pilling that tends to occur with sweaters this old - but they are still blissfully soft and fluffy after a bath in the baby shampoo.&nbsp; My perfect go to stay at home winter Saturday indulgence - an old fluffy cashmere and cordoroys....mmmmm. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095731 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:54:07 +0000 Beth 1095731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I took a deep breath and started hand washing my cashmere last year. I had read an article that said (unlike wool which is a fiber), cashmere is a hair and washing is better for it.&nbsp;</p> <p>I put my pieces into a large bucket with tepid water and a dash of Eucalan, let the knits sit for 15-30 minutes, then squeeze the suds through and swish. I do rinse my pieces even though Eucalan says you don't have to, then run them through the spin cycle of the washer just to get the water out. Then I lay&nbsp;them flat and block if needed. They dry quickly; if I wash the previous evening, they're usually dry by the next morning.</p> <p>I really like handwashing my cashmere. IME, it smells better than dry cleaning and the cashmere is much softer and fluffier. If it helps, Eric Bompard recommends washing their cashmere. </p> <p>Edited to add that I don't have the right cycle on my washer, and even if I did, machine washing would make me nervous!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095708 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:39:44 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1095708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for asking the question! I've been wondering, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095699 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:34:42 +0000 qfbrenda 1095699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first cashmere sweater is on the way to me, so I'm taking notes on this thread.&nbsp; For what it's worth, I told my 73 year old mom about my sweater and she assured me it can be hand washed.&nbsp; She grew up wearing cashmere sweaters--they dressed up for school daily... amazing!--and she hand washed them with no issues.&nbsp; She followed the methods already laid out above. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095698 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:34:39 +0000 Jenava 1095698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I typically use the gentle cycle on my top load washer with gentle detergent, then roll them up in a towel to dry. &nbsp;I have used shampoo but was actually put off by the smell, so I went back to my usual gentle detergent.</p> <p>I have one cashmere turtleneck that's going on 10 years and still looks new (higher quality yarn with longer fibers&nbsp;makes the biggest difference, I think, as opposed to how you launder it, assuming your laundering method is pretty gentle). </p> <p>I wanted to add - I also avoid washing my sweaters as much as possible. &nbsp;I think washing is just hard on them in general. &nbsp;So instead I tend to layer them over a thin, fitted cami when I wear them so they can go longer between washes.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095692 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:31:48 +0000 Angie 1095692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't seem to notice the chemical smell after dry cleaning. I guess I am one of the few with good dry cleaning experiences. Good luck with the hand washing. Clearly you are more skilled at the process than I am.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095681 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:23:31 +0000 MsMaven 1095681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done both dry cleaning and hand washing and even machine washing for older sweaters that I just wear around the house. &nbsp;Hand washing is much better. &nbsp;In my experience they come out much softer and fluffier that way. &nbsp;</p> <p>Hardest thing on my sweaters are my cats. &nbsp;Sigh. &nbsp;They love the softness too. &nbsp; &nbsp;I even gave DH's old cashmere scarf to one of my cats to sleep on. &nbsp;He, the cat, loves it to death. &nbsp;DH is not a scarf person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095659 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:02:26 +0000 Catmom 1095659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hand wash with castile soap (Dr. Bronners or the like), gently squeeze out the water in a towel, and dry flat. I haven't noticed any loss of fluffiness or softness, even in a couple of sweaters that are 15+ years old. The main thing is to be careful reshaping the wet sweater so that it keeps its shape.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095656 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 17:00:55 +0000 Gaylene 1095656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've used the same technique as Sveta for years on all kinds of cashmere and wool sweaters without any issues. Cashmere gets beautifully soft and smells heavenly if you home launder it. My husband wears his cashmere sweaters daily around the house once he realized that he didn't need to worry about sending them to the cleaners.</p> <p>The only time I'd hesitate is if the item was heavily embellished or if it was a very open, lacey knit. Even then, I'd probably do it at home because I would just be extra gentle to avoid stretching out the item or damaging the embellishment. </p> <p>If you think about what happens in most dry cleaning establishments, you'd probably get over your worries fairly quickly. The thought of my cashmere sweaters tumbling around in a chemical bath with other people's dirty clothes makes my gentle soaking/ rinsing/towel drying/flat blocking to air dry method seem pretty benign.</p> <p>ETA: Oh, and if your cashmere doesn't feel soft and fluffy after hand washing, it's probably because you didn't rinse out all the soap. Just a drop or two of soap in a sink full of tepid water is usually enough to clean the sweater and it's important to make sure you rinse out all the soap before you towel dry and block. I use a supposedly no-rinse, made-for-wool product called Soak but still rinse to make sure the sweater is free of any detergent. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095614 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 16:16:38 +0000 JAileen 1095614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hand wash using baby shampoo. Smells better than the chemicals they use drycleaning. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095613 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 16:15:58 +0000 catgirl 1095613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just washed all my cashmere caps and my Equipment snake print sweater (which has stretched a bit) in the washing machine on delicate, then I actually tossed them in the dryer for a short bit (to shrink a bit as hats had stretched too) and then lay flat.&nbsp; All well! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095603 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 16:04:22 +0000 Anonymous 1095603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, like Angie, I dry clean too. I would not handwash a very expensive sweater but it can be done. Hand holding now! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095587 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:48:46 +0000 Mo 1095587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done the BF's in our front loader, inside a modal blend pillow case, tied, with gentle detergent. &nbsp;Block and air dry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095583 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:44:29 +0000 Kim 1095583@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've hand washed mine in the front loader by itself, in a mesh bag&nbsp;(it has a "hand wash" cycle) then reshaped and dried laying flat. &nbsp;Came out perfect every time. (Use cold or tepid water.) &nbsp;It was actually softer after the first wash.</p> <p>I've also done it by hand with baby shampoo. &nbsp;It's a natural fibre and has been had washed by hand&nbsp;for centuries, so I don't have any fear of that. &nbsp;It's the dryer that's the sweater killer! &nbsp;(Ask me how I know! LOL)</p> <p>Rubbing is also the enemy of wool, (and probably cashmere) because that, along with moisture creates the felting effect that you're trying to avoid.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095580 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:40:00 +0000 Diana 1095580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do what Sveta says with all my cashmere and handknits. My regular detergent is pretty gentle, so I just use that, but you could also use baby shampoo, Dawn dish soap (yes! Really! But only Dawn, it's the gentlest), or a special wool wash like Soak or Eucalan. I wouldn't use woollite. Dry cleaning is bad for short staple fibers like cashmere and merino in particular as it damages and weakens the fibers. I also don't think it gets things as clean and I'm not a fan of the chemicals.</p> <p>If you have a front loader you can actually machine wash on hand wash cycle. You can even use the no heat setting on the dryer if you want. This gives the softest finish. I prefer to block them (dry flat and reshape) so I can control the shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095556 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:14:30 +0000 Angie 1095556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dry clean all my cashmere and merino. Have for year and it all&nbsp;still looks heavenly. Nothing has shrunk.&nbsp;I take my laundering very seriously because I want my items to look as pristine as possible - for as long as possible.&nbsp;I do not advise hand washing cashmere. It never seems to look as fluffy.&nbsp;Sorry to add a spanner to the works.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095552 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:13:33 +0000 dustt 1095552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Sveta - I use the same technique - &nbsp;I use baby shampoo - and they come out incredibly soft and beautiful - </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095551 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:13:05 +0000 Marmee 1095551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I wash mine, too, just like Sveta does. &nbsp;I use The Laundress brand wool and cashmere shampoo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095548 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:09:25 +0000 Sveta 1095548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always wash mine. Tepid water, mild soap (I use shampoo), do not wring but put into the towel and gently squeeze water out, then&nbsp;reshape and stretch&nbsp;flat to dry. <br />Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/needing-reassurance---washing-cashmere#post-1095540 Sat, 23 Nov 2013 14:59:47 +0000 Alecia 1095540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seen a few of you post that you hand wash cashmere. And even that, despite the tags that read "dry clean'" that dry cleaning is not good for cashmere. I generally prefer washing to dry cleaning and have been considering hand washing the cashmere. Yet I'm terrified that I'll ruin my lovely, cozy (hard to replace because of the cost) sweaters. For those of you who hand wash cashmere, can you do a little handholding with me before I embark on this adventure. </p>