https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:56:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1572943 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:45:21 +0000 Gaby Meyers 1572943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a couple of old cashmere sweaters I haven't been wearing because they need a good cleaning and they are not a favorite anymore, but still worth wearing so yesterday I took a chance and washed them in my Maytag washing machine on delicate with a soap pod. They came out perfect!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1572938 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 13:37:13 +0000 Banoffi 1572938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I either hand wash or machine wash (delicate cycle) mine, depending on how lazy I'm feeling. &nbsp;I use The Laundress Wool &amp; Cashmere Shampoo. &nbsp;I lay the sweaters flat to dry. &nbsp;I also bought a cashmere comb, which really helps with any pilling. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1572873 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 04:53:32 +0000 mountainwave 1572873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a sudden collector of merino wool.<br /> Layers and sweaters all get washed in cold with dilute shampoo. (Shikkai Everyday because I have a gallon. Not kidding) I rinse well because residue attracts stuff. Roll on a towel and walk on the roll. Dry sweaters flat on a mesh sweater dryer. (Mine is a three level contraption) the T shirt style layers go on the clothing drying rack like all the rest.<br /> A fan helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1571087 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:28:25 +0000 Marilyn 1571087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just checked out Eucalan online.&nbsp; Didn't realize that it is also a Canadian product.&nbsp; I like supporting home-grown companies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1571080 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:16:09 +0000 Beth 1571080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep! I also use Eucalan with great results. I wash my cashmere in a bucket, rinse (although you don't need to), and spin the water out using the spin cycle on the washing machine. A quick blocking and drying overnight on a rack, and they're good to go. Also, they'll end up much softer and fluffier than after dry cleaning. </p> <p>I consider my cashmere some of the lowest maintenance pieces in my closet due to the ease of cleaning and the rapid drying. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570861 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 02:47:39 +0000 Theodora 1570861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone! I just ordered the Eucalan Grapefruit wash from Amazon. Time to take care of some sweaters, before fall kicks in here in Florida! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570755 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 23:16:03 +0000 Diana 1570755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I buy my eucalan from Amazon.&nbsp; The only bricks and mortar place I've seen it is the yarn store.&nbsp; The Amazon price is better, plus they have bigger ones.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570726 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 22:14:49 +0000 lisaflex 1570726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>blue dawn rocks!!! gets out even red wine stains from white jeans&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570712 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:12:55 +0000 Keix 1570712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like many people here, I hand wash all my wool sweaters by soaking in Eucalan for 20 min to several hours (depending on when I remember!), then gently squeezing out water and rolling up in a towel, and laying flat to dry. I have had mixed results with drying "flat" on a drying rack because the surface isn't totally flat; I've since switched to laying on a towel on the floor or using a specialized sweater dryer which can only hold one sweater at a time.</p> <p>I like Eucalan because it's no-rinse and I'm lazy. It's pretty affordable purchased new off eBay. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570653 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 17:59:25 +0000 Marilyn 1570653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another product I would recommend is SOAK.&nbsp; Like Eucalan, it doesn't require rinsing.&nbsp; Made in Toronto, Canada.......great product for Canadian fabbers to support. </p> <p><a href="http://www.soakwash.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.soakwash.com/</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570644 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 17:41:39 +0000 Elle 1570644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never dry clean cashmere. I either hand wash cashmere (cold) or use the machine wash (delicate/cold water) then dry flat. &nbsp;Is your sweater a strong color? &nbsp;If so, they may have put the dry clean tag on because the dye might run. &nbsp;In that case, I'd hand wash.</p> <p>I have a friend who machine washes her cashmere AND puts it in the dryer but I've never had the courage to risk it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570637 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 17:30:52 +0000 Minnie 1570637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My nicer cashmere pieces get soaked in a tub/container for a few hours, the less agitation the better; cold water, same water temp rinse; <br /> The Laundress Wool and Cashmere Shampoo.<br />I either just let it drip until most water is gone or I gently squeeze out excess water.<br />Shape and lay flat to dry on a mesh rack</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570593 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:03:11 +0000 K. Period. 1570593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dawn is great for getting out oil and I have never had it stain my clothes blue. &nbsp;(I often use it as a booster to help clean my kids' really grubby clothes--they are in the "my tee is a napkin" stage.) &nbsp;I swear by it. &nbsp;However, I have had it bleach clothes when applied directly, so be sure to dilute it first. &nbsp;</p> <p>For something like cashmere, I use Eucalan too. I have a gallon container. &nbsp;It is absolutely the best for preserving the softness of wool/cashmere. Dawn may strip off the oils that keep the fibers soft and pliable, dehydrating them. &nbsp;Dawn is the washing equivalent of using very inexpensive shampoo on your hair. &nbsp;Great if you have super oily hair, not so great if you have dry, fragile hair. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Unlike everyone else, I have had mixed results with washing cashmere. &nbsp;I knit, so I know the washing drill very well. &nbsp;Wash in tepid water (not too hot or too cold, or you shock the fibers, which causes felting and shrinkage), swoosh and squeeze, but do not agitate excessively (you cause the scales on the fiber to interlock, again resulting in felting and shrinkage), squeeze, don't twist to remove excess liquid (twisting will ruin the shape) and shape and air dry flat. &nbsp;However, I have had some mid-grade cashmere &nbsp;(Caslon from Nordstrom, I'm looking at you) shrink on me. &nbsp;Plus there are almost always small changes in the shape of the garment. &nbsp;Any areas with ribbing &nbsp;are the most likely to change. &nbsp; If a sweater was very expensive or it is a shape I absolutely do not want to change, then I dry clean. &nbsp;</p> <p>Again, this is my experience, and I know others wash their sweaters routinely. I am very picky about the shape of my sweaters, so I probably am more bothered about it than most. &nbsp;Or another way to say it might be that my tolerances are much lower than most. &nbsp;So, if you don't mind a little change here or there in the shape of your sweater, it should be fine. &nbsp;If you do, then go cautiously. &nbsp;Also do a Google search on how to "block" your sweater to shape it and spend some time learning about that--it makes a huge difference. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570531 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:44:33 +0000 tammyw 1570531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for that info! Can Eucalan be purchased at Target? Or is the Amazon price competitive? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570530 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:36:39 +0000 em 1570530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wash mine in the washing machine, in a mesh bag, using J&amp;J baby shampoo.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570529 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:35:31 +0000 JAileen 1570529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dawn is a surfactant. Fiber people like it because it can remove the natural grease from a sheep's fleece. If the dirt on your sweater is greasy, it will do the best job getting it out.</p> <p>I use baby shampoo when I wash sweaters. It's gentle and smells good. I always rinse (really, I can't imagine NOT rinsing out the dirt), squeeze, and roll in a towel. Standing on the roll is a good idea. I use a sweater dryer and sometimes a fan to dry it. I live in a desert so it doesn't take very long anyway. Don't hang wet sweaters. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570526 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:18:18 +0000 Diana 1570526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've washed plenty of white things with Dawn and never had any of them turn blue.&nbsp; You don't need very much so I think it dilutes out enough to not be an issue.&nbsp; (Although I've spot treated with straight Dawn and that didn't leave a stain either so I think the blue color won't fix to the fabric in any case.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570524 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:16:37 +0000 Word Lily 1570524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The blue Dawn has never stained the fabric in my experience.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've also read lately that adding some white vinegar to the water helps get rid of bad odors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570521 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:12:38 +0000 Colette 1570521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always wash cashmere, a tidbit I learned from Martha Stewart. I used to hand wash and roll in a towel, but now I put them in large lingerie bags and wash on delicate. Re-shape and lay flat to dry. Perfect every time. I also touch up pills with the Gleener tool:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.containerstore.com/s/gleener-fuzz-remover/d?productId=10035324&amp;q=lint%20remover">http://www.containerstore.com/.....%20remover</a> </p> <p>Thanks for the heads up on Dawn, I'll have to pick some up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570515 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:06:03 +0000 tammyw 1570515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Probably a weird question, but doesn't the blue in Dawn stain the fabric? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570512 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:01:39 +0000 carter 1570512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread to favorite for reference! While we're on the subject of Dawn...I've never had an oil-based stain that it didn't get out...cooking splatter, salad dressing, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570507 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:42:34 +0000 Diana 1570507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, yes, Joy reminded me that gentle shampoo is a good detergent for wool too.&nbsp; Another thing you can use is Dawn dish soap (people specifically extol the virtues of the original blue colored Dawn but I haven't compared other brands, lol).&nbsp; I know that sounds really weird, but many fiber artists swear by it.&nbsp; The idea is that it's really good at cleaning but also quite gentle and pH balanced because we stick our hands in it for a long time while washing dishes.&nbsp; Dawn is also what people use to to clean birds which have been in oil spills...</p> <p>Good shampoo and special wool washes like Eucalan are also pH balanced, while laundry detergent often is not.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570500 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:32:01 +0000 Anonymous 1570500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just what Diana said. There is no reason that you cannot hand wash a crew neck sweater. I use a little baby shampoo and rinse ( no agitation), roll in a towel and usually dry flat on a rack. I've done this for years. If you want, you can reshape a bit while wet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570496 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:20:05 +0000 Suz 1570496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I put mine in the delicate or wool cycle of my washer in cold water. (It's non agitating).&nbsp;</p> <p>I air dry, laying it out in a rack.&nbsp;</p> <p>None of my cashmere has suffered with this treatment. I do have two sweaters that shrank, but that was due to human error. (DH put them in the wrong cycle or placed in the dryer.)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570493 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:16:01 +0000 Diana 1570493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hand wash, cold water, eucalan. Minimal agitation, no wringing (you can squeeze excess moisture out by rolling in a towel and stepping on it), and dry flat. I like eucalan bc you don't need to rinse if you don't want. I usually do rinse but only once. (With regular detergent you have to rinse a ton which is super annoying in the sink.). </p> <p>A hand wash cycle on the machine is fine too if you have one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570480 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:57:59 +0000 Gail 1570480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to wash mine by hand but I have a new washing machine that has a wool cycle and I now use that. I never dry them in the dryer and always block shape them and lay flat to dry. Never dry cleaned them.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570478 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:55:12 +0000 Anonymous 1570478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570477 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:52:32 +0000 Word Lily 1570477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely. I use a no rinse wool wash (my favorite is Eucalan, grapefruit scent) in the sink. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/washing-cashmere#post-1570474 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:24:00 +0000 Anonymous 1570474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am interested in buying this cashmere sweater. &nbsp;It says "dry clean only" but many Forum Members have indicated they prefer to wash cashmere. Additionally, the internet says that washing is much better for the fabric.&nbsp;<br />Would you hand wash in cold water a sweater that says "dry clean only?" &nbsp;Any advice you can give me is appreciated. &nbsp; </p>