Cashmere care

Washing and care instructions for cashmere socks

Caring for your cashmere

Cashmere is the world's finest commercially available natural fibre, which is limited in supply and expensive, so it's important to look after it - here are a few simple tips to keep in mind to get the most out of your cashmere.

Washing instructions

Cashmere is one of the most delicate natural fibers in the world and when you invest in one of our pieces, you should look after it with care and love. Cashmere knitwear can be hand washed or dry cleaned. We recommend frequent hand washing following these simple guidelines:
Cashmere should be washed with a good quality wool or cashmere shampoo or similar detergent. Make sure the soap powder is completely dissolved before placing the garment in the washing machine. Gently squeeze the soapy water through the garment and then rinse it several times in lukewarm water.
To dry... do not wring or squeeze hard - simply lay garments flat on a towel and reshape - dry naturally away from direct heat such as radiators or sunlight. DO NOT TUMBLE DRY.

After drying, iron lightly with a cool iron.
Certain cashmere garments are best cleaned by a reputable dry cleaner. Proper washing and care will actually improve the feel of a cashmere garment.

Pilling

After the first few times you wear your cashmere garment, you may notice small balls of fiber forming on the surface. These small balls, called "pills," are caused by some of the loose fibers becoming tangled together when areas of your garment are rubbed during wear. This aspect is similar to the pilling that occurs on a new carpet that has just been laid and used. Over time, the fibers settle and the pilling disappears.
Pilling is not a sign of poor quality, but an inevitable consequence of the careful processing of this fine fiber. Pilling can be easily removed by hand or with a "detangling comb" available from most haberdashers.
You will find that by removing the pills in this way, the garment will firm up and become softer to the touch and feel. Like fine wine, cashmere will improve with age if cared for properly and will last for years.

Moths

These are a threat to most garments made from natural fibers. There are several ways to keep your cashmere moth-free:
A good way to keep them out of your closet is to use scented deterrents like cedar balls or hanging bags of lavender, rosemary or cloves. Although they may smell nice to us, in reality moths hate the smell. To keep the moths away, hang the cedar balls around your hangers or scatter them among your folded cashmere.
Another option is to freeze your cashmere garments. Simply place them in a plastic bag and freeze for a day or overnight, then slowly thaw them. This should kill everything, including moths and moth larvae. This way may sound strange, but it has been shown to work.
The life cycle of a moth is around 21 days, so it's a good idea to give your cashmere a good shake every month. The moths hate being disturbed and don't like light, so if you suspect you have moths, it's also a good idea to air your garments in daylight as this will repel the larvae and cause them to fall off your clothing if there are any.
However, the most important habit is to keep your closet clean and to empty it out from time to time and make sure that you do not keep dirty clothes.