How to Care for Your Cashmere Sweaters

In my wardrobe, one of the most cherished components are undoubtedly my cashmere sweaters. Today, I’ll be sharing my insights into cashmere sweater care, focusing on the steps I take to maintain the quality and longevity of my cashmere knitwear.

Despite the perception that caring for cashmere can be challenging, it’s not as overwhelming as it might seem. Although many modern cashmere pieces are machine washable, I prefer handwashing my pieces. It allows for greater control over temperature, detergent, and handling, ensuring that each sweater is treated gently and preserved in its best condition. Handwashing also gives you the chance to connect with the process and truly care for your garments, helping them maintain their softness and shape for years to come.

2. Machine Washing Cashmere Sweaters

However, if you do decide to machine wash your cashmere, it should be done at your own risk—and only with the gentlest settings. Always select a hand wash or delicate cycle, use lukewarm or cold water, and set the spin speed to the lowest option possible, which helps minimize stress on the delicate fibers. It’s important to remember that heat is cashmere’s worst enemy—it causes shrinkage, stiffness, and can permanently alter the texture. Gentle and cool is always the way to go. I also recommend using laundry mesh bags, to provide additional protection; you can find this product in various sizes on Amazon.

3. Hand Washing Cashmere Sweaters

I typically lean towards hand washing and air drying my delicate garments whenever possible, steering clear of dry cleaners, especially since I learned about the varying levels of chemicals they use. This method is gentler on clothes compared to using washing machines, tumble dryers, and the chemicals employed by dry cleaners. Here is my step-by-step process for cashmere sweater care:

• Prior to washing any garment, your initial step should be to check for the laundry symbols guide. Each garment is expected to feature these washing instruction symbols on its care label.
• Begin by thoroughly cleaning the sink, laundry utility sink, or wash basin to ensure a clean surface for washing your pieces. I like to use the collapsible/foldable washing basin, which is the perfect size to wash one sweater and saves space when storing due to its collapsible feature.
• Turn the garment inside out to minimize fading and maintain the dye.
• Choose a mild laundry detergent designed for delicate fabrics. Opt for one that is free of enzymes and enriched with lanolin oil to nourish and care for the fibers, and enjoy the added bonus of a delightful fragrance of your preference. Personally, I prefer Steamery products, a well-known Scandinavian clothing care brand, I find their products at my local Container Store. I love their blend of rose and musk delicate liquid laundry detergent. While it may be a bit on the pricey side, a little goes a long way—just a teaspoon is all you need for each wash, especially when using my 2.5 Gallon washing basin!
• Always mix the mild laundry detergent to lukewarm or cold water—water should never exceed 86°F (30°C). Personally, I recommend always using cold water.
• Avoid fabric softener, as it may coat the fibers and lead to increased pilling. Consider adding a small amount of white vinegar to your rinse—it acts as a natural softener, removes odor, and helps maintain the suppleness of the fibers without the need for synthetic softeners.
• Gently squeeze and swirl the cashmere sweater in the water, allowing it to soak for about 20 minutes to loosen any debris. Drain the water and rinse with cool, clean water.

4. Immediate Removal After Washing

If you used a washing machine, remember to remove your cashmere immediately after the cycle finishes—leaving it damp can cause fiber damage and odor buildup.

5. Drying Cashmere Sweaters

Avoid wringing or twisting the sweater; instead, gently press it into a ball to remove excess water. On a flat surface, place a clean towel, lay the damp cashmere on top, and reshape it to its original form. Roll the towel with the sweater inside to absorb as much moisture as possible.

Drying cashmere is not a race; it is a test of patience. No shortcuts. Slow drying always wins. Once most of the water has been removed, lay your cashmere flat to air dry, either on a breathable mesh drying rack or on a fresh, dry towel. Always keep it away from direct heat sources such as radiators, tumble dryers, or sunlight, which can cause shrinkage and damage. Allow it to air dry naturally in a cool, shaded space.

After about a day, flip your cashmere piece to ensure both sides dry evenly. Once it is completely dry, and I do mean completely, then and only then should you store it away. Moisture is an invitation for moths and mildew, so ensuring full dryness is essential.

6. Steaming and Freshening Cashmere

After drying, you may notice wrinkles, which can be easily handled by gently steaming your garment instead of ironing. Steaming not only imparts a relaxed aesthetic to cashmere, preserving its delicate nature, but it’s also effective in eliminating bacteria, making it an ideal choice for freshening up your garments. When steaming, hold the steamer just above the surface and allow the steam to flow lightly through the fibers. Avoid letting the steamer’s plate touch the cashmere, as direct heat can damage the delicate texture.

You can also lightly refresh your sweaters between washes with a gentle fabric spray. This restores a clean scent without putting stress on the fibers or risking excessive washing.

To reduce the need for frequent washing, wear a light base layer underneath your cashmere, such as a soft long-sleeve tee or thermal. This prevents body oils and perspiration from transferring onto the fibers and keeps your sweaters fresh for longer.

Cashmere has natural self-cleansing properties, so it benefits from being aired out rather than washed after every wear. Simply let your pieces rest in a well-ventilated space overnight to allow odors to dissipate.

7. Pilling in Cashmere Sweaters

As wonderful as cashmere is, it is susceptible to pilling. Investing in a fabric shaver is a smart move to address pilling, ensuring that your cashmere pieces maintain their pristine appearance. Regularly removing pilling isn’t just about appearance—it’s also essential for your cashmere’s longevity. Prolonged pilling can stress and weaken the delicate fibers over time, so gently removing the pills helps preserve both the softness and structure of your cashmere.

Additionally, a lint roller can be used occasionally to remove lint, hair, and other particles, especially visible on darker pieces, avoiding stick-and-razor types as they may cause damage.

8. Storing Cashmere Sweaters

When it comes to storage, it’s better to fold cashmere sweaters in drawers rather than hanging them, as hanging may cause stretching or distortion of the fibers. Avoid storing cashmere or any wool garment in plastic bags; instead, use a breathable cotton bag with a zip closure for each garment. These textiles benefit from proper ventilation, so even if kept in drawers or your closet, ensure there’s enough fresh air around them. It’s recommended to place them in a cool, dry location.

9. Cedar and Natural Protection for Cashmere Sweaters

To protect against moths, place cedar wood balls or blocks in drawers and storage areas, replenishing them occasionally with a few drops of cedarwood oil to maintain their effectiveness. Peppermint and lavender oils also offer natural protection. Affordable options like lavender bar soap or dried lavender work well, as long as they are properly enclosed in their original packaging or a small sachet bag to prevent direct contact with your garments.

Over time, cedar can lose its natural fragrance. To refresh it, lightly sand the surface of the wood or add a few drops of cedarwood oil to fragrance cards or sachets. Always keep cedar pieces and oils separated from your cashmere and other delicate textiles to avoid staining.

These natural additions add a delicate, pleasant fragrance while preserving the freshness of your wardrobe and keeping insects at bay.

10. Final Thoughts on Caring for Cashmere Sweaters

In summary, caring for cashmere requires patience and mindful attention, but the effort is well worth it. Cool water, slow drying, and gentle handling are key, as heat and haste are cashmere’s greatest enemies. With the right care, these luxurious pieces will reward you for many years with lasting softness, warmth, and timeless elegance.

If you’re interested in further tips on refreshing your wardrobe and caring for your garments, I invite you to explore my blog on 8 Tips for a Closet Refresh, where I explore decluttering, wardrobe assessment, and clothing care strategies for a closet refresh you’ll cherish.

If you have additional suggestions or insights, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments, I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

As always, thank you for reading!

This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.