How to Care for Your Cashmere — The Complete Guide

How to Care for Your Cashmere — The Complete Guide

Cashmere is one of the world's most luxurious natural fibres. Soft, warm and incredibly lightweight, a good cashmere pashmina is an investment that can last for many years — but only if it's looked after properly. Follow our simple guide and your cashmere will stay beautiful wash after wash.

Why Cashmere Needs Special Care

Cashmere comes from the fine undercoat of the Changthangi goat, found in the high plateaux of Nepal and the Himalayan region. The fibres are incredibly fine — much finer than regular wool — which is what gives cashmere its signature softness. But those same fine fibres are also more delicate than regular wool, which means cashmere needs a little more care and attention when it comes to washing and storing.

The good news is that caring for cashmere is much simpler than most people think. Follow these guidelines and your number 37 cashmere pashmina will reward you with years of luxurious wear.

Can You Wash Cashmere at Home?

Yes — but carefully. Many people are nervous about washing cashmere at home, but it's perfectly possible as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Hand washing is always best. Fill a clean basin or sink with cool or lukewarm water — never hot, as heat causes cashmere fibres to shrink and felt. Add a small amount of specialist cashmere or delicate wool wash, or a tiny drop of gentle baby shampoo. Submerge your pashmina and gently agitate the water with your hands. Do not scrub, wring or twist the fabric.

Leave to soak for no more than 10 minutes, then gently squeeze the water through the fabric. Drain the basin and refill with clean cool water to rinse. Repeat until all the soap is removed.

Can you machine wash cashmere? Some cashmere can be machine washed on a delicate or wool cycle at 30°C, but we always recommend hand washing to be safe. If you do use a machine, place your pashmina inside a mesh laundry bag first, and use a specialist wool or cashmere detergent.

How to Dry Cashmere

How you dry your cashmere is just as important as how you wash it.

Never tumble dry cashmere. The heat and movement will cause the fibres to shrink and felt — and there's no way to reverse this damage.

Never hang cashmere to dry. Hanging a wet cashmere garment will cause it to stretch out of shape under its own weight.

Always dry flat. After washing, gently press — don't wring — the excess water from your pashmina. Then lay it flat on a clean, dry towel and reshape it gently with your hands. Roll the towel up with the pashmina inside to absorb more moisture, then unroll and transfer the pashmina to a fresh dry towel or a flat drying rack. Leave to dry naturally at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

How to Store Cashmere

Proper storage is key to keeping your cashmere in perfect condition between wears.

Always store cashmere folded, never on a hanger. Hanging cashmere causes it to stretch and lose its shape over time.

Store in a breathable bag or drawer. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture. A cotton or muslin storage bag is ideal.

Protect against moths. Moths are the biggest enemy of cashmere. Cedar balls, lavender sachets or specialist moth repellent sachets placed in your drawer or wardrobe will help protect your cashmere. Check regularly and replace as needed.

Always store clean cashmere. Moths are attracted to natural fibres, and especially to any traces of food, perfume or body oils on the fabric. Always wash or air your cashmere before storing it for any length of time.

How to Deal With Pilling

Pilling — those small balls of fibre that appear on the surface of cashmere — is completely normal and is not a sign of poor quality. In fact, it tends to happen more with higher quality cashmere, as the longer fibres are more prone to rubbing together. Pilling usually reduces after the first few washes.

To remove pills, use a specialist cashmere comb or a fabric shaver. Work gently across the surface of the fabric in one direction, being careful not to snag or pull the fibres. Never use a razor blade or scissors — these are too harsh and can damage the fabric.

How to Remove Stains from Cashmere

Act quickly — the sooner you treat a stain, the easier it is to remove.

For most stains, gently blot — don't rub — the affected area with a clean damp cloth to remove as much of the stain as possible. Then hand wash the garment as normal using a gentle cashmere wash.

For more stubborn stains, apply a small amount of cashmere wash directly to the area and leave for a few minutes before washing as normal.

If in doubt, take your cashmere to a professional dry cleaner who specialises in delicate fabrics.

How Often Should You Wash Cashmere?

Less often than you might think. Cashmere doesn't need to be washed after every wear — in fact, over-washing can damage the fibres over time. After wearing, simply air your pashmina by laying it flat or hanging it briefly in a well-ventilated room. This will freshen it up and remove any odours.

Wash your cashmere when it genuinely needs it — typically every three to five wears, or at the end of the season before storing.

Quick Care Reference

• ✓ Hand wash in cool water with specialist cashmere wash
• ✓ Dry flat, away from direct heat and sunlight
• ✓ Store folded in a breathable bag
• ✓ Use cedar or lavender to protect against moths
• ✓ Remove pills with a cashmere comb
• ✗ Never tumble dry
• ✗ Never hang to dry
• ✗ Never use hot water
• ✗ Never wring or twist
• ✗ Never store on a hanger

About Our Cashmere Pashminas

All of our cashmere pashminas at Scarf Room are crafted by skilled artisans in Nepal from 100% baby cashmere, and carry the prestigious Chyangra Pashmina trademark — awarded by the Nepalese government as a guarantee of genuine cashmere. We are proud to support the traditional craft of Nepalese cashmere weaving and the communities whose livelihoods depend on it.

Browse our full cashmere collection at scarfroom.co.uk/collections/cashmere-pashmina or call our team on 01253 468967 if you have any questions.