How to Clean Cashmere

High-quality, designer brand materials like cashmere are well worth the extra expense. However, if you don’t know how to care for cashmere or how to wash your cashmere sweater, you could cause irreparable damage or shorten the lifespan of these luxurious pieces. At Buy Outlet, we’re on a mission to make designer fashion accessible and affordable for all people, and that includes sharing the tools necessary to make those classic closet staples last throughout the seasons. Let’s learn more about cashmere and how we can make it last a long time.

Why Should I Buy Cashmere?

Before learning how to clean cashmere, it’s important to understand what makes cashmere so special. Cashmere is known for being extremely soft against your skin while maintaining a high-end outward appearance, making it the ideal material for comfortable designer clothes. In colder weather, cashmere is not only warmer than wool, but it is also more lightweight. Some people may claim that cashmere is not as durable as other materials, but this is not necessarily the case. When you know how to care for and wash a cashmere designer sweater, it can last as long as ten years and hundreds of wears. With its ability to keep you warm and ventilated all at once, we believe it is worth it to learn how to clean cashmere. 

How to Care For Cashmere

Cashmere is made up of an incredibly delicate material. When the cashmere fibers are exposed to hot water or left to soak for too long, the fabric may shrink or change shape. Generally, it’s recommended to only wash your favorite cashmere pieces only every two to four wears. Cashmere pieces should be folded rather than hung to allow the garment to maintain its original shape. Additionally, cashmere should always be stored in a cool, dry area.

How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater

Often, people are discouraged from investing in a designer cashmere sweater due to concerns regarding how to clean cashmere. A common concern is the belief that this timeless closet staple must be dry-cleaned by a professional, which adds to the initial price tag and gives you another errand to run. While hiring professional services to dry clean your sweater is an option, it is not the only option.

It is perfectly fine to hand wash your cashmere sweater at home. In learning how to care for cashmere, it’s important to remember the fibers do not react well to hot water. Instead, the right method of how to clean cashmere is to fill a basin with cold water and a mild detergent. Baby shampoo or dish soap is also safe to use. Only allow your cashmere sweater to soak for five minutes before rinsing it. 

When considering how to wash a cashmere sweater, remember how delicate the material is. While you may normally wring out hand-washed clothes to remove excess water, this may damage your sweater. The best method for removing excess water is to fold the sweater into a ball. You can also place the sweater flat on a towel and roll it up to remove all remaining water. When planning how to clean cashmere, it’s best to dry your cashmere sweater on a rack, but you can also lay it between two towels. Never dry cashmere in a dryer or on a clothesline.

The washing machine may not come to mind when you wonder how to care for cashmere, but there is a safe way to use one. While this is not the preferred method for how to wash a cashmere sweater at home, it’s a great time-saver. To protect the material from over-agitation, place the sweater in a mesh laundry bag. Then, wash the bag in the machine on a gentle cycle with cold water.

How to Fix a Cashmere Stain

Depending on the type of stain, there are a few techniques to pre-treat the stain before rinsing your garment in cold water. If you’ve spilled red wine, tea, or coffee on your cashmere sweater, gently rub the stain with a cloth dipped in cold water and dish soap. Makeup or grease stains should first be blotted, then soaked in mild shampoo.

Discover Endless Style

If you are ready to welcome cashmere into your wardrobe, Buy Outlet is your new fashion home. We assure the best deals on the market, so there’s no need to break your budget for cashmere. Browse our diverse collection and find the perfect accessories for your sweater, from outlet coats to women’s luxury jeans. Get the whole look!