How to Clean Cashmere and Keep It Looking New
Chicago winters are a lot cozier with cashmere in your wardrobe. This ultra-soft fiber is warm yet delicate, so knowing how to clean cashmere the right way is key to preserving your favorite pieces. Don’t worry – caring for cashmere isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Once you’re familiar with a few do’s and don’ts, washing cashmere at home is actually simple and can save you time and money according to cleaning experts. In this guide, we’ll explain when to hand wash or machine wash, proper drying techniques, smart storage, how to remove pilling, and tips to keep your cashmere as soft as the day you bought it.
Hand washing cashmere (the safest method)
The best way to wash cashmere is by hand in most cases. Hand washing is gentler on the fibers and helps prevent shrinkage or damage. Here’s how to hand wash your cashmere items:
Use cold water and a mild detergent. Fill a clean basin or sink with cold or lukewarm water (never hot) and mix in a small amount of gentle detergent designed for wool or delicates. Regular laundry detergents can be too harsh – opt for a cashmere shampoo or even baby shampoo for a gentle touch. Avoid bleach or any heavy chemicals.
Let it soak, then swish gently. Turn your cashmere wrap, sweater or scarf inside out and submerge it. Gently swirl the garment with your hands, but do not scrub or twist the fabric. Cashmere fibers are fragile when wet, so treat them with care. A brief soak of about 10–30 minutes will loosen any dirt. This minimal agitation and soak will clean the item without stretching or felting the wool.
Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean cool water. Swish the cashmere around to rinse out soap. You may need to rinse a couple of times until the water runs clear. Be patient and avoid running the item directly under a hard stream of water, which can stretch fibers.
Never wring water out. When it’s time to take the sweater out, resist the urge to wring or twist it. Cashmere can stretch or lose shape if you wring it while wet. Instead, lift the garment carefully, supporting its weight, and gently squeeze out water by pressing the item against the side of the sink. It will still be quite damp – that’s normal. (We’ll address drying in a moment.)
Can you wash cashmere in the washing machine?
Machine washing cashmere is possible for some items, but it requires caution. Always check your garment’s care label first: if it explicitly says “Dry Clean Only” for a structured piece (like a lined jacket), you might want to avoid the machine. For simple cashmere sweaters, many labels actually allow hand or machine washing. If you’re short on time or have a bunch of sweaters to clean, you can use the washing machine – just take these steps to protect your cashmere:
Choose the delicate cycle and cold water. Select your washer’s gentlest cycle (often labeled “delicate” or “wool”) with cold water and the slowest spin speed. Avoid top-loading machines with aggressive agitators; a front-loader or high-efficiency top-loader is usually gentler. The key is minimal agitation. Excessive motion or warm water can cause the wool fibers to felt (mat together) or shrink.
Use a mesh laundry bag. Turn the cashmere garment inside out and place it in a mesh bag designed for delicate fabrics. This extra layer protects it from rubbing against other items or the machine drum. Only wash cashmere with similar soft garments – no heavy jeans or items with zippers that could snag. Ideally, wash it alone or with a small load of other woolens.
Skip the dryer. Once the wash cycle is done, remove your cashmere from the machine immediately. Never put cashmere in a hot dryer – even one cycle can lead to severe shrinking or distortion. (We’ll dry it properly in the next section.) If your sweater is very heavy with water, you can run an extra spin-only cycle to extract excess water, but make sure to use a low spin speed. Prompt removal also prevents creases from setting in.
Overall, while machine washing can work, hand washing remains the gold standard for keeping cashmere plush. When in doubt, hand wash or use a professional service rather than risking your machine’s harsher treatment. Even the most delicate cycle can be rough on cashmere if the machine agitates too much. Many cashmere owners reserve machine washes for older, well-worn pieces and always wash new or treasured sweaters by hand.
Drying cashmere the right way
Drying is a crucial step in cashmere care – this is where many mishaps happen. Wet cashmere is heavy and prone to stretching, so it needs to be dried flat. Here’s how to dry your cashmere safely:
Lay flat on a towel. After washing and gently squeezing out excess water, prepare a clean, absorbent towel on a flat surface (like a table or even the floor). Place the damp cashmere item on the towel in its natural shape. Gently reshape the sweater, aligning sleeves and hems, so it dries in the correct form. Cashmere can be very stretchy when wet, so make sure the garment isn’t hanging off the edge of the towel or it may lengthen in that direction.
Roll out extra moisture. For a quick way to remove more water, you can roll the towel up with the sweater inside it. Starting at one end, roll the towel like a jelly roll with the cashmere item in between. Press lightly as you roll – this will blot out water into the towel. Do not twist the roll; just apply gentle pressure. Unroll it after a minute. The cashmere should be damp but not dripping.
Air dry flat, away from heat. Transfer your sweater to a fresh dry towel or a mesh drying rack, still flat. Keep it laying flat until fully dry. Choose a spot out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources like radiators or heating vents. Direct heat can cause shrinkage and make the wool feel harsher. Expect it to take at least a day to dry (thicker knits could take two). Flip the item over once the top feels dry, so the underside can dry as well. Patience is key here – do not try to speed things up with a hair dryer or heater.
Never hang wet cashmere. Hanging a wet or even damp cashmere sweater will stretch it out of shape very quickly. The weight of the water will pull the garment downward, often ruining the fit (think droopy, misshapen sweaters with stretched shoulders). Always dry cashmere items flat. Once completely dry, you can very briefly fluff it in the dryer on a no-heat air-only cycle for a few minutes if desired, but this is optional and should be done with extreme care (most people skip this to be safe).
One pro tip: If your sweater dries with some wrinkles, avoid using a hot iron directly on cashmere. Heat and pressure can flatten the soft fibers too much. Instead, use a garment steamer to gently relax any creases. A light steam will fluff up the yarns and restore that lofty, soft look. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use an iron on the coolest setting: place a cotton cloth over the sweater and iron lightly through the cloth. But steaming is preferable to keep cashmere plush.
How to store cashmere
Proper storage is essential to protect your cashmere when you’re not wearing it, especially during the off-season. The goals are to prevent stretching, avoid pest damage (moths love wool!), and maintain freshness. Follow these cashmere storage tips:
Always store cashmere folded, not hung. Whether it’s for a week or the whole summer, fold your cashmere sweaters and lay them flat in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging a cashmere sweater on a hanger, even when dry, can cause the shoulders to stretch out or develop bumps (“hanger horns”) and the overall shape to distort over time. Folding avoids this issue completely.
Clean before long-term storage. Make sure to wash (or dry clean if appropriate) your cashmere before putting it away for an extended period. Even if it looks clean, tiny amounts of body oil, perfume, or food traces can attract clothes moths and other insects. Moths are especially attracted to natural fibers like wool and cashmere that have lingering human scent or spills. So, as a rule, launder your cashmere at the end of the winter season before tucking it away for spring and summer. This way it’s stored in pristine condition and less inviting to pests.
Choose the right storage container. It’s best to keep cashmere in a breathable environment. Avoid sealing your sweaters in air-tight plastic bags or plastic tubs for long periods, as these can trap moisture and lead to mildew or yellowing. Instead, consider breathable cotton storage bags or boxes for off-season storage. Cotton garment bags or even a clean pillowcase can work – they allow airflow while keeping dust out. If you do use plastic bins, throw in some silica gel packs to absorb moisture and be sure the sweaters are fully dry and clean.
Add natural moth repellents. To be extra safe, tuck a few cedar balls or lavender sachets in with your stored cashmere. Cedar and lavender are natural deterrents for moths and will impart a light pleasant scent instead of that musty closet smell. Replace or refresh these repellents each season (cedar can be lightly sanded to revive its scent). Avoid mothballs if possible – they are effective but have a harsh chemical odor that’s tough to remove from clothes.
Keep storage cool, dry, and dark. Store your folded cashmere in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can fade colors and weaken fibers (plus, moths prefer dark hiding spots, but sunlight can also yellow certain whites). A closet shelf or under-bed storage box works well. Just ensure no dampness – a dry environment prevents mold or mildew from sneaking in.
How to remove pilling from cashmere
Even the highest-quality cashmere will develop some pilling over time. Pilling refers to those tiny balls or fuzz clusters that form on the surface of the sweater, usually in high-friction areas like under the arms or along the sides. It happens when delicate fibers rub against each other or other fabrics. The good news is pilling is easy to remove and doing so will make your cashmere look (and feel) fresh again.
Use a cashmere comb or sweater shaver. The safest way to de-pill is by using a tool made for the job. A cashmere comb is a small, flat comb with very fine teeth that pick up pills without pulling too hard on the knit. Simply lay the garment flat and gently brush the comb across the surface to lift off the pills. Alternatively, an electric fabric shaver can quickly shave off the pills – just be sure to use a light touch and hold the sweater taut to avoid nicking the fabric. Many fabric shavers have guard screens to protect the garment, but you should still be cautious. Always depill on a dry sweater (never while wet).
Work gently and patiently. It’s best to remove pills by working in one section at a time, using short, light strokes with the comb or shaver. Don’t press too hard. Let the tool do the work of picking up the fuzz. If you don’t have a comb or shaver, you can carefully use scissors to snip off individual pills or even use a piece of sticky tape dabbed on the fuzzballs as a last resort. But dedicated combs are inexpensive and very effective for knitwear.
De-pill regularly, but not too often. It’s a good idea to depill a sweater when you notice a lot of fuzz buildup, typically after several wears. Removing pills will actually make the cashmere feel softer and look newer, since you’re getting rid of the tangled fibers that cause roughness. That said, you don’t need to shave your sweater after every wear – over-combing excessively could wear the fabric thin. Just do it as needed when pills appear visibly. Over time, cashmere often pills less once the shorter, loose fibers are gone.
One extra tip: If you notice pills forming, it can help to turn your cashmere inside out when wearing under jackets or coats. This puts the rubbing on the inside, keeping the outside looking smoother. But either way, some pilling is natural. With a few minutes of sweater combing, your cashmere will be pill-free and ready to go.
Keeping cashmere soft over time
Cashmere is prized for its cloud-like softness, and with the right care you can maintain that feel for years. Here’s how to ensure your sweaters stay luxuriously soft season after season:
Don’t over-wash your cashmere. Unlike sturdier clothes, cashmere doesn’t need to be washed frequently. In fact, excessive washing can lead to fiber wear and make it less soft. Thanks to cashmere’s natural antibacterial and odor-resistant properties, you can wear it multiple times (often 5–10 wears) before it needs a full wash, as long as it isn’t stained. Simply air out your sweater after each use – lay it flat overnight or near a gentle breeze to freshen it. Washing only once or twice a season is usually enough for garments worn periodically. This helps preserve the natural oils in the wool that keep it supple.
Use the right detergent (and only a little). Harsh detergents or too much detergent can strip the natural oils from cashmere, leaving it feeling dry or scratchy. Always use a mild, wool-friendly detergent. In many cases, a teaspoon or two is plenty for a basin. Avoid fabric softeners; they can build up on wool fibers and actually reduce softness. If you want an extra softness boost, you can add a splash of white vinegar to the final rinse when hand washing – it helps remove any soap residue and keeps the fiber soft. (Don’t worry, the vinegar smell rinses out.)
Avoid heat and friction. Heat is the enemy of wool softness. Never use hot water or high-heat drying, as we covered. Also try to minimize friction on your cashmere during wear and wash – for example, don’t throw a cashmere sweater in a crowded washer with heavy items, and try not to carry a rough leather shoulder bag directly over a cashmere cardigan (it will cause pilling and wear). Treat the fabric gently and it will retain its smooth feel.
Refresh with a steam or a rest. Between washes, giving your cashmere a light steam can rejuvenate the fibers. As mentioned, steaming fluffs up the yarns, which keeps the garment soft and plush. Hanging your sweater in the bathroom during a hot shower (not getting it wet, just letting steam circulate) can do the trick if you don’t have a steamer. Also, rotating your cashmere items – not wearing the same piece every single day – gives the wool fibers a rest, allowing them to regain their loft. With a little downtime and proper cleaning, cashmere can actually get softer over the years.
Finally, if you feel your cashmere has lost some softness or developed a slight itch, a careful wash with a conditioning wool shampoo can help. Some specialty wool shampoos contain lanolin or other conditioners that restore fiber softness. Just remember to rinse thoroughly so nothing lingers on the wool. With these practices, your cashmere will stay as touchable as ever.
Professional cleaning vs. DIY cashmere care
By now, you might be thinking: this sounds like a lot of careful steps. It’s true that cleaning cashmere properly at home takes a bit of time and patience. If you’re a busy Chicagoan juggling work and family, you may not always have an hour to hand wash and flat-dry your sweaters. So, when should you consider letting a professional handle it?
Stubborn stains or delicate finishes: If your cashmere item has a tough stain you’re nervous to tackle, or if it’s embellished with beads or sequins, professional cleaning is wise. Dry cleaners have special treatments for stains and the expertise to handle those tricky pieces. (Even then, ensure your cleaner has experience with fine knits.) Remember that routine dry cleaning isn’t recommended for cashmere because the chemicals can strip its softness and even damage the fibers over time. Save dry cleaning for the true emergencies or very ornate garments.
Everyday convenience: For your regular, unstructured cashmere sweaters and scarves, a reputable wash-and-fold laundry service can be a lifesaver. When you don’t have the time to baby your clothes at home, you can hand them off to professionals who are clean-obsessed with getting your laundry done right. For example, our team at Spincycle Laundry uses gentle detergents and cold water washes as part of our wash-and-fold service, so even delicate fabrics like cashmere are treated with care. We take the same precautions you would at home – separating delicate items, using mesh bags and low-spin cycles – to prevent any mishaps.
Time is money (and sanity): Think about the time you spend hand washing and laying out sweaters versus what else you could be doing. Many of our busy customers prefer to reclaim those hours. With a simple schedule of a pickup, you can get all your laundry done while you focus on work or family. In fact, our laundry pickup and delivery service makes it effortless: we’ll collect your clothes from your doorstep and return them freshly cleaned and folded (yes, even your cashmere will come back neatly folded, ready for the drawer). The convenience can’t be beat – it’s like having a laundry fairy for your most treasured garments.
Expert handling and transparency: Entrusting your cashmere to Spincycle means you get a neighbor-approved service with a human touch. We’re a local Chicago-owned business, and we care for each item as if it were our own. Our high-quality processes (including ozone-sanitized cleaning for ultimate hygiene) ensure your pieces are thoroughly but gently cleaned. Plus, our pricing is straightforward – your laundry is priced by the pound with a modest minimum, so you don’t face the hefty per-garment fees that often come with dry cleaning.
In short, you absolutely can take care of your cashmere at home with excellent results, especially now that you know the best practices. But when life gets hectic or you’d rather leave it to the pros, a service like Spincycle is happy to help lighten the load. We’ll handle the delicate washing and drying steps for you, so you can enjoy your soft, clean sweaters without the effort. It’s all about what works best for you – some weeks you might hand wash a sweater or two, and other times you might drop them in with your laundry pickup. Either way, your cashmere will thank you for the TLC.
With proper care – whether at home or with a little professional help – your cashmere will stay cozy, beautiful, and ready to wrap you in warmth for many winters to come. Treat it gently, and it truly can last a lifetime.
