BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Rate: (77 Ratings)

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.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Clean Dry Bath Towels
Stain Removers
Baby Shampoo

Step1

Buy a detergent specifically intended for fine garments.

Step2

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.

Step3

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

Step4

Submerge the sweater and gently squeeze the suds through it.

Step5

Let it soak for 20 minutes.

Step6

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

Step7

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

Step8

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

Step9

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

Step10

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.

Comments

Anonymous said

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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.

Anonymous said

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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!

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I recently got a secondhand cashmere sweater full of pills. With nothing to lose, I tried using electric hair clippers. With a bit of care it worked beautifully.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 To remove pills on your sweaters and cashmere, try using the rectangular square emery sponges with a very fine grit that you can find at beauty supply stores.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Unless it is an extremely delicate cashmere garment, you can fill a washing machine with cold water on the gentle cycle and add your detergent (soap or shampoo work). Put your garment in a mesh washing bag.

Let the garment agitate long enough to get wet then turn the machine off and let it soak about 20 minutes.

Move the dial to the end of the wash cycle. Let it spin and fill with rinse water.

Add any inexpensive hair conditioner diluted with warm water so it completely dissolves and let it soak for a minute or two.

Move the dial forward to spin and let it spin through the entire cycle.

Lay it flat to dry, or fluff it in the dryer on air fluff.

Note: It is the agitation of the garment that can be damaging. This method keeps it to a minimum. If you dread hand washing, it is worth trying this method. It is more important in the long run that your cashmere is clean to avoid damage by moths. If you do get a small hole, it was most likely a weakened fiber and would have broken through anyway.