How to Care for Cashmere & Cashmere Blends: A Love Affair

It's easy to crush on cashmere. The natural clothing fiber is unbelievably soft, exceptionally luxurious, and bougie enough to make you feel fancy – even if you’re just hanging out at home with your cat.

What's more, cashmere is naturally warm yet breathable, delivering a cozy feel without making you overheat.

When it comes to something this perfect, it's important that you know how to take care of it — and it can be pricey, so we're committed to taking care of it the right way. Yes, there is a right way to wash, dry, spot-treat, and store cashmere. Follow our valuable tips to prolong the life of your favorite cashmere pieces.

What to do (and not do) when caring for cashmere

Knowing how to care for cashmere and any knitwear is an important part of owning these luxurious items. If you're thinking about investing in some cashmere items, or were recently gifted a cashmere sweater and want to avoid ruining it, we've got you covered.

Cashmere care isn't rocket science — but it is science-adjacent.

First things first: wash wisely

A lot of clothing companies recommend that you dry-clean their cashmere garments. If making a trip to the dry cleaner's every once in a while works for you and you'd rather not risk it at home, we're not here to stop you.

Having said that, a care label that says "dry-clean only" could just be a brand assuming the average consumer won't wash carefully enough and shouldn't even bother trying. The point being, dry-cleaning cashmere is only a suggestion — not a rule.

If you know what to do, washing cashmere really isn't that big of a deal.

Hand-washing FTW

When it comes to laundering cashmere clothing, hand-washing is the name of the game. Yes, most washing machines have delicate cycles, and some even have "hand wash" settings that use cooler water and skip the spinning. But generally speaking, hand-washing (with actual human hands) is the way to go.

Here's what we recommend when hand-washing cashmere:

• Use lukewarm water. The water shouldn't be too hot or cold when washing cashmere because more drastic temps can shrink or damage the delicate fibers.
• Opt for gentle detergent. A mild detergent formulated for delicate fabrics is best (your silk-safe laundry liquid is perfect).
• Go easy. Be gentle with your cashmere — no scrubbing, rough agitating, running under a flowing faucet, or twisting to wring out water. Hand-washing might seem a little old-fashioned, but this is not a reenactment of a medieval laundry scene.

And follow these steps:

1. Fill a (very clean) sink, bathtub, or laundry basin with lukewarm water.
2. Add anywhere from a few drops to a tablespoon of laundry soap, depending on the size of your wash tub.
3. Use clean hands or a large spoon to swirl the mixture until the detergent is dissolved.
4. Carefully submerge the cashmere garment into the soapy mixture, gently pressing down and moving it slowly around to loosen any stuck-on debris.
5. Let the garment soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Drain the sink or tub (or use a separate clean basin) and fill it with fresh lukewarm water to rinse the cashmere.
7. Remove the garment from the water and set it on a clean, dry towel.
8. Fold one side of the towel on top of the garment (or just use another clean towel) and gently press down to absorb excess water. Another option is to place it on a bath towel, roll it up with the towel, then unroll it.
9. Make sure to carefully reshape the garment before letting it dry.

Dry like you mean it

Again, you should never wring out cashmere — the finicky fiber doesn't respond well to violence. And whatever you do, do not put it in the dryer.

Whether you hand-wash or machine-wash on a very, very delicate cycle, cashmere clothing should be reshaped and laid out to air-dry on a flat surface.

You might already know this from experience with knit sweaters, but don't dry a cashmere top (or other pieces) on a hanger. That's how you get weird puckers and bumps that have to be steamed out.

Don't wash after every wear

You don't need to wash cashmere clothes after every wear. Like other types of wool, cashmere fiber is naturally antimicrobial, meaning it kills bacteria that harbor body odors from sweat.

So unless your cashmere is starting to smell funky or has dirt or crumbs (which moths can apparently smell) embedded in it, you don't necessarily need to wash it. But to help your cashmere last as long as possible, a good rule of thumb is to clean it after every three to five wears.

Store it right (and fight the moths)

Cashmere loves cool, dry places, so it’s wise to oblige the material by giving it what it wants. Fold your cashmere garments rather than hanging them on hangers — especially sweaters, polos, and other tops that can end up with droopy shoulders or those puckers we mentioned. You might even consider using a protective bag for cashmere sweaters when traveling or during off-season storage to maximize protection. 

What about the moths? Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets to keep moths from treating your cashmere like an all-you-can-eat buffet. These natural solutions work, and they make your closet smell good, so it’s a win-win.

Dealing with pills

Pilling is sometimes inevitable with cashmere knitwear and other types of sweaters and knit clothing, so don't take it personally.

But if you come across those teeny-tiny lint balls and want them off the surface of your sweater, a cashmere comb or fabric shaver should do the trick.

Handling stains and sending SOS

If you spill wine, splash something while cooking in the kitchen, or discover a mystery spot on your cashmere with unknown origins, try not to panic.

Here's what to do:

• Spot treat ASAP. Get to work right away. Right after the spill or as soon as you notice a stain, wet a clean white cloth with cool water and a dab of gentle detergent.
• Blot, don't scrub. Vigorously scrubbing cashmere can damage the fabric, so blot the spot instead with repeated gentle presses until it lifts.

If you can't get the stain out, go ahead and take it to the dry cleaner. They know cashmere, and they'll be able to handle whatever spilled on or discolored your precious garment.

Cashmere care: keep it simple (and chic)

Cashmere may ask a lot of you when it comes to care, but it gives back in the form of luxe softness and an effortlessly chic aesthetic. Still, at the end of the day, cashmere care isn't about perfection. It's about keeping your favorite pieces feeling as good as they look — for years, not months.

If you're in the market for new cashmere, check out the Fino Cashmere collection from Negative. The stretchy, breathable Italian cashmere blend is oh-so-soft and (un)scientifically proven to make you feel like royalty. Whether you’re at a loss for what to wear to bed or searching for a comfy yet appropriate go-to airport outfit, this collection has casual cashmere for any occasion. 

While you're at it, explore our women's sleepwear collection to find comfy, cozy, airy sleepwear separates and slip dresses. We also have women's loungewear you can sleep in or wear out and about and still look put-together.

It's crazy to be this comfortable — but possible with the right pieces.