How to wash cashmere without ruining it

Cashmere can be washed at home without shrinking or stretching it. The damage people worry about is not caused by water. It is caused by high heat, harsh detergents and excessive rubbing. Follow the care label, use a gentle detergent, and dry the garment flat, and the cashmere will keep its softness and shape.

Knit-On cashmere is sourced from Mongolia. We chose it for its quality and softness, and because it wears well over time.

What actually damages cashmere

The store's care advice is to follow the care instructions on the garment, use gentle washing methods, and avoid harsh detergents, high heat and excessive rubbing. Cashmere that is not cared for properly can lose its softness, shrink, or lose its shape. Water alone is not the problem. The damage comes from the heat, the chemicals and the mechanical action.

Which detergent to use

A neutral, mild wool detergent is the right choice for both hand washing and machine washing cashmere. Avoid heavy duty detergents, bio detergents containing enzymes, and any detergent containing bleaches. Both chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach must never be used on wool, according to The Woolmark Company. That second one surprises people, because oxygen bleach is often sold as the gentle alternative.

Powdered detergent needs pre-dissolving before it goes into the wash. Woolmark explains why: undissolved specks of detergent can contact the garment and cause holes. Final rinse softeners can be used, but keep the amount to a minimum. An excessive amount of softener acts as a lubricant and lets fibres move to the surface more easily, which can lead to pills forming during later washes. That mechanism, and what to do once pills have formed, is covered in Why knitwear pills and how to fix it.

Washing cashmere by hand

Turn the cashmere inside out. Fill a basin with clean lukewarm water at approximately 30 degrees Celsius. Add a small amount of neutral wool detergent, pre-dissolved where it is powdered. Submerge the garment and soak for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water, then again in cold water. Avoid rubbing or wringing the fabric. These steps follow the method Woolmark recommends for wool knitwear.

Machine washing, and when to avoid it

Only machine wash a cashmere garment where its care label says you can. The wool setting, usually a gentle action at 40 degrees Celsius, is what Woolmark advises for machine washing wool. A machine with no wool cycle can use the cold water wash or the cycle for delicates instead. Turn the garment inside out or place it in a laundry bag, and use a neutral, mild wool detergent. Wool and merino jumpers have their own set of requirements, which we cover in How to wash a wool or merino jumper.

Drying and reshaping

Knitwear such as cashmere jumpers should be dried flat, unless the care label states it can be tumble dried. Place the garment on a pale coloured or white towel that is free from lint. Gently knead it by hand into shape and size, and remove as many creases as possible. Woolmark gives the reason not to hang it: line drying or drying on a hanger stretches a knitted garment under the weight of the moisture it holds, so the garment grows in length and loses its shape.

Avoid direct sunlight, sunlight magnified through a window, and direct heat. Never dry a wool garment over a radiator. Woolmark's reason is specific: the part draped over the top dries quickest, which can alter the colour or damage that area. Garment drying mesh screens designed to fit over a bathtub are also available and tend to speed up drying. Any pins used to hold the garment in shape must be rust proof.

How often cashmere needs washing

Cashmere does not need washing after every wear. Wool is naturally stain resistant, odour resistant and crease resistant, Woolmark notes, and it requires less washing than other fibres. That is worth knowing before reaching for the basin. Our range runs to 38 styles in Women's cashmere, from $59 to $699 AUD, and 35 styles in Cashmere Cardigans, from $99 to $499 AUD.

Common questions

How do I wash 100% cashmere?

Follow the care label on the garment. Where hand washing is permitted, use lukewarm water at approximately 30 degrees Celsius, a mild wool detergent, and soak for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm then cold water, and dry flat away from heat and sunlight.

Does 100% cashmere shrink?

Yes. Cashmere can shrink when it is exposed to high heat, harsh detergents, or excessive rubbing. Following the care instructions and using a gentle wash method avoids that.

Is it okay to put cashmere in the washing machine?

Only where the care label states it can be machine washed. Use the wool setting, a gentle action at 40 degrees Celsius, or the cold water wash or delicates cycle on a machine without a wool setting. Turn the garment inside out or use a laundry bag, and use a mild wool detergent.

Is it better to hand wash or dry clean cashmere?

The garment's own care label is the best guide. Where the label permits hand washing, the gentle method described here will clean the cashmere without damage. Where it recommends dry cleaning, follow that instruction.