How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater

Instead of sending your cashmere sweater to the dry cleaner, wash it! Many people don't realize that cashmere can be hand-washed, and that such care will prolong the life of the garment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean Dry Bath Towels
• Stain Removers
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Shampoo

1. Buy a detergent specifically intended for fine garments.

2. Fill your sink or basin with lukewarm or cool water, depending on the garment's washing instructions. Add the recommended amount of fine-garment detergent to the basin.

3. Briskly run your hand through the water to distribute the detergent and generate suds.

4. Submerge the sweater and gently squeeze the suds through it.

5. Let it soak for 20 minutes.

6. Drain the sink and rinse your sweater with lukewarm water until the water rinses clear.

7. Gently press water out of the sweater and place it lengthwise on a clean, dry bath towel.

8. Roll up the towel. Press with your palms to squeeze out excess water.

9. Remove the sweater from the towel and smooth it out so it is back in its original shape.

10. Lay the sweater flat on a dry towel and let it air-dry, or use a drying rack if you have one.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry-cleaning cashmere is also a viable option. However, as cashmere is a delicate fiber, excess chemical treatments may shorten your sweater's life.
• Wringing out your sweater may pull it out of shape.
• Sunlight can fade your sweater, and other heat sources may wear fibers prematurely. It's better to let your sweater dry naturally indoors, away from sunny windows and heat vents.

Who Can Help:

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[zackz]

on 3/28/2009 To help reverse shrunken sweater syndrome, submerge the sweater in a bath of warm water with hair conditioner for around 20 minutes. Let hang dry with conditioner still in. Wear the garment for 20 minutes. Rinse out conditioner if desired.Works best if you do this immediately after the shrinkage occurred.

[Lona]

on 11/19/2008 I don't know how you can get a shrunk sweater back, unless you try washing it again (in cool water) and then trying to re-shape it gently while it's damp? I wash my cashmere in a machine too but on a handwash cycle (cool & gentle) with a specialist wool liquid. I then let it dry naturally and iron if necessary. There's more on this at http://www.cashmereshopping.co.uk/cashmere_care.html which gives more information on washing cashmere and getting rid of the bobbles.

[perryclark]

on 10/21/2008 Help I have just put my daughters 100% cashmer sweater in the washing machien and it is now shrunk ,how do I get it back to its original size or near to .

on 2/25/2006 Those annoying nubs of fabric on your favorite wool sweater making it look beyond well lived-in? I found the answer! Sweater Stone. This handy little pumice stone lifts the pilling off and doesn't shave or cut off the outer layer like the shavers do. Easy to use and last for years. This is advice that will save you time and money.

on 12/30/2005 Purchase disposable razors and use them to gently shave the sweater. It works like a charm with no damage to the garment!