Rachel here! Cashmere is one of those things I’m always happy to invest in. A really good cashmere sweater can stay in your closet for years, but how you wash, dry and store it makes a big difference.
The good news is that cashmere care doesn’t need to be complicated. A gentle wash, the right drying method and a little attention to pilling are usually all it takes.
Here’s how I care for the cashmere in my own closet and what I recommend to our customers at Grapevine.
Shop Grapevine’s Cashmere Collection
How to Wash Cashmere
First things first: always check the care label. Cashmere sweaters can have different instructions depending on the knit, construction and other fibers in the garment.
If hand washing is allowed, it’s usually the gentlest option. Fill a clean sink or basin with cool water and add a small amount of detergent made for wool or delicate fabrics. Turn your sweater inside out, place it in the water and gently move it around. No scrubbing, twisting or wringing.
Rinse carefully with cool water until the detergent is gone. And remember, cashmere does not need to be washed after every wear. If it still looks and smells fresh, I’d rather air it out and wear it again than wash it unnecessarily.
Can You Wash Cashmere in the Washing Machine?
Sometimes, but the care label gets the final say.
If the label specifically allows machine washing, turn the sweater inside out, place it in a mesh laundry bag and use a cold wool or delicate cycle with a gentle detergent.
If the label says hand wash or dry clean only, follow those instructions. When I’m unsure about a favorite sweater, I’d always rather be a little too careful.
How to Dry Cashmere Without Shrinking It
This is where a lot of cashmere care can go wrong. Heat, wringing and hanging a soaking-wet sweater can all affect its shape.
After washing, gently press out excess water without twisting the sweater. Lay it flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up with the sweater inside and gently press to absorb more moisture.
Then unroll it, reshape the sweater and let it finish drying flat away from direct heat.
Skip the dryer, and don’t hang wet cashmere. Drying it flat helps the sweater keep its original shape.
Does Cashmere Shrink?
Yes, cashmere can shrink when it’s exposed to too much heat, agitation or the wrong wash cycle.
That’s why cool water, gentle handling and following the garment’s care label matter. It’s much easier to prevent shrinkage than try to fix a sweater afterward.
Cashmere Pilling Is Normal
I get asked about this one all the time. Those little fuzzy pills that show up on a cashmere sweater are usually caused by friction, especially under the arms, along the sides or anywhere a handbag or jacket regularly rubs against the knit.
A little pilling does not automatically mean you have a poor-quality sweater.
I like using a cashmere comb to gently remove pills. Lay the sweater flat and lightly work over the areas that need it. There’s no need to aggressively comb the entire sweater.
It takes just a few minutes and can make a well-worn cashmere sweater look refreshed again.
How to Store Cashmere
Please don’t hang it!
Even lightweight cashmere can start to stretch at the shoulders if it stays on a hanger for too long. Fold your sweaters instead and keep them somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight.
Before putting cashmere away for an extended period, make sure it’s clean and completely dry. Food, body oils and other residue left on natural fibers can make stored knitwear more attractive to moths.
How Often Should You Wash Cashmere?
Less often than you probably think.
Cashmere doesn’t need to go into the wash after every wear. If there are no stains or odors, let it air out before folding it back into your closet.
I also like rotating sweaters instead of wearing the same one several days in a row. It gives the fibers a chance to rest and means less washing overall.
The goal isn’t to baby your cashmere. It’s just to avoid unnecessary washing, heat and friction so you can actually enjoy it for years.
A Few Cashmere Favorites at Grapevine
One of my favorite things about buying cashmere for Grapevine is how different it can feel from one brand to another. Some customers want a classic sweater they’ll wear constantly, while others want color, texture or something a little more unexpected.
Here are a few cashmere and cashmere-blend pieces I’m loving right now. You can also shop our full cashmere collection here to see everything currently available at Grapevine.
Cashmere Care FAQs
What is the best way to wash a cashmere sweater?
Always check the care label first. If hand washing is permitted, use cool water and a small amount of detergent made for wool or delicate fabrics. Avoid scrubbing, twisting or wringing the sweater.
Can you put cashmere in the dryer?
It’s best to avoid the dryer. Heat can shrink cashmere and affect the shape of the garment. Reshape the sweater while damp and let it dry flat.
Can you machine wash cashmere?
Some cashmere can be machine washed, but only when the care label allows it. Use a cold wool or delicate cycle, a gentle detergent and a mesh laundry bag.
How do you remove pilling from cashmere?
Lay the sweater flat and gently remove pills with a cashmere comb. Pilling is usually caused by friction and is normal with soft natural fibers.
Should you hang or fold cashmere sweaters?
Fold them. Long-term hanging can stretch the shoulders and change the shape of a cashmere sweater.
How do you store cashmere to help prevent moth damage?
Make sure your cashmere is clean and completely dry before storing it. Fold it in a clean, cool and dry space rather than leaving it hanging for long periods.
Cashmere is meant to be worn, not saved for some special occasion. Take care of it, give it a little attention when it needs it and a great sweater can stay in your closet for a very long time.
Thanks for reading,
Rachel xx
