When you buy cashmere, the question of care is often predominant because you are aware that it is a noble material that needs to be cared for, but you do not always know how to go about it. Rest assured, you do not need to make any more effort than when caring for a classic wool sweater.
Most washing machines today have a wool program designed to gently wash delicate textiles like cashmere. A regular program is not suitable for this type of garment. If you have no other choice, it’s better to wash your cashmere sweater by hand, and here are our tips.
Why a Wool Washing Program?
These “special wool programs” (or delicate wash programs) are characterized by limited mechanical action. This means that the regular spinning movements of your drum are deliberately gentler to preserve the fibers of your beloved sweater. They are also generally shorter, usually about an hour. This is a good thing for cashmere, which should not stay in water for too long. This program also allows washing at low temperatures (below 30 degrees). This last factor is crucial to avoid a temperature shock, which cashmere does not tolerate. To learn more about this topic, please read the article “At What Temperature Should I Wash My Cashmere?”. The spinning is also gentler than in a classic program, as a maximum of 600 RPM is recommended to avoid excessive friction. This step is very important because if you spin too much, your cashmere sweater will felt or show signs of premature wear.
Some Additional Tips
Don’t forget to put your garment in a Mahogany washing bag. This protects it from friction in the drum and ensures that water can penetrate the garment well. I recommend using a mahogany bag for all delicate textiles (silk, wool, etc.). If you don’t have one, use a pillowcase; it works just as well.
For the drying step, never put it in a dryer. Even though it may be tempting, the sweater can felt. Ideally, dry a cashmere garment flat on a terry towel and away from sun and heat sources. This procedure should also be followed when drying all types of wool fabrics.