There is a misconception among consumers that one should avoid washing their cashmere sweater in the washing machine. This misconception sometimes even hinders the purchase decision. The reason? It would damage the garment and risk shrinking it. That’s partly true because we don’t control all the elements like temperature or spin speed. But I will demonstrate to you that the risk is still minimal and that everything is done to minimize this risk as much as possible.
Here are the main steps for machine washing a cashmere sweater:
- Use a laundry bag.
- Select a special wool or delicate cycle on the washing machine.
- Use a little special wool detergent.
- Temperature 30°C max.
- Spin at 600 rpm maximum.
- Lay flat to dry on a towel.
But then, why prefer machine washing?
For my part, I never wash anything by hand! Firstly, because, let’s face it, it’s much easier: put it in a mesh bag, select the wool program, start the machine, and done! Let’s take advantage of these little technological gems that progress offers us to do something much more enjoyable (like watching an episode of my favorite series, cooking, reading a book, or even surfing the internet for example)! In this sense, machine washing is, in my opinion, much less restrictive than hand washing.
I’m lucky to have a fairly recent washing machine (5/6 years old) that has a special wool program. This type of option is available on the majority of washing machines sold today, even the cheaper models are equipped with it.
Rest assured, at Mahogany, quality is our number one concern; our cashmere items are made with the finest fibers. So, you can wash your sweater in the machine, as long as you follow a few rules carefully, because zero risk doesn’t exist.
How do I wash my cashmere in the machine?
Voici étape par étape le processus de nettoyage que je vous préconise de suivre pour ne pas avoir de déconvenue.
Firstly, I invite you to protect your garment well. For this, slide your cashmere sweater inside out into a Mahogany laundry bag (or a closed pillowcase if you don’t have one). If you have multiple items to clean, I suggest putting them in separate bags. The reason? This avoids friction, which can result in premature wear of the fibers. The laundry bag prevents friction not only with the drum but also between the clothes themselves. In the same vein, it’s also important not to fill the drum completely during one cycle (maximum 4 sweaters depending on the drum size). If you have as many laundry bags, that’s even better!
Next, it’s recommended to add a small amount of Mahogany “special cashmere” detergent (one tablespoon is sufficient for one sweater). This detergent is perfect for washing our cashmere sweaters because, in addition to wrapping them in a pleasant scent, it cleans while taking care of the fibers. However, it is unnecessary to add fabric softener; your cashmere doesn’t need it because it’s already silky. That could actually damage it. For the spin cycle, set it to a maximum of 600 revolutions per minute; too much spinning could damage the fibers and render the sweater unusable. Once the machine cycle is finished, don’t hang it on a clothesline with pegs or on a hanger to dry it. As the sweater has absorbed a lot of water, it becomes heavier, risking deformation. So it’s essential to lay it flat on a drying rack, ideally on a towel to absorb water more quickly. All of this in a well-ventilated room, away from sunlight and heat sources. Wait a few hours, and there you go, the job is done; you can once again snuggle up in your favorite cashmere sweater.
If there are small surface pills forming, don’t think it necessarily means it’s a poor-quality cashmere sweater. A few washes can be beneficial to restore the softness and beauty of cashmere. Indeed, the majority of the excess material will have been removed. For the remaining pills, you’ll need to use a lint comb to restore a smooth appearance. I advise you to repeat the process as many times as necessary. And if you want more tips to maintain high-quality cashmere, I invite you to read the section “how to prevent pilling on cashmere.”
