HOW TO COSSET YOUR CASHMERE
Beloved for its unrivalled softness and so luxurious to wear, a cashmere sweater will age like a fine wine if cared for properly, so take our advice on how to make it improve over the years
Cashmere is named after the Kashmir territory contested between Pakistan and India, where it has been manufactured for thousands of years. It is obtained from the goat (Capra hiricus laniger), whose coat is technically defined as wool but is finer, stronger, lighter and softer than sheep’s wool as well as three times more insulating.
If you were fortunate enough to receive some cashmere for Christmas you may be wondering how to care for it to maximise its lifespan. Cashmere is luxurious to wear but requires a little more care than other fibres.
Good quality cashmere can last years with a little TLC and caring for cashmere isn’t as difficult as people perceive. After wearing new cashmere the first few times, you may see small balls of fibre on the surface. These ‘pills’ are caused by some of the loose fibre tangling together as areas of the garment are rubbed during wear. Pills can be removed by hand or by gently using a de-pilling knitwear comb. If you cosset your cashmere by removing the pills and laundering gently, the garment will consolidate and soften to the touch. Like fine wine, good cashmere will improve with age.
Ideally cashmere should be gently washed after a few wears. It can be handwashed, sometimes machine-washed on a knitwear cycle, or dry cleaned. If hand washing, water should be lukewarm and you should use a cashmere shampoo or a mild detergent for wool and natural fibres. Gently massage the suds through the knit, being careful not to rub, wring or stretch the garment. Rinse thoroughly but carefully in clean cool water.
Saturated garments should not be lifted before water has been gently squeezed out as they may stretch. A short, light spin (10 minutes) in a washing machine can remove excess water but do reduce to a minimal setting (600rpm). Smooth the garment back into its original shape and place flat on a towel — dry naturally away from direct heat. Never tumble dry. Once dry, press lightly with a cool iron.
If a cashmere has a machine wash symbol, wash on a wool programme using a non-bio detergent at a maximum spin speed of 600 rpm. Many biological detergents contain wool-eating enzymes. Never use them, or stain removers, on wool or cashmere fibres because the enzymes will literally digest the fabric. To increase the lifespan of cashmere, use a slow spin and a low temperature (20° max) to avoid stretching, shrinking and matting of the fibres. Allow to dry naturally by laying flat, ensuring you rotate it. Press lightly with a cool iron.
To ensure knits keep their beauty, never store on a hanger. You may create permanent indentations on the shoulders and its weight could make it stretch. To avoid damage, fold the knit into three parts lengthwise, keeping the arms straight and smooth, and finally fold it in half. If storing for a long period, tuck some tissue paper or a piece of fabric between the folded garment to avoid creases.