How to Wash Cashmere Sweaters

Rolling up a cashmere sweater in a clean white towel

Not only is cashmere a soft and warm material, but it's also crease- and odor-resistant. Airing it out in between wears makes it possible to wash it less frequently.

When machine washing cashmere, select a wash cycle that most resembles hand washing. A Wool or Hand Wash cycle will be gentler than your standard Delicate cycle, so go with those if you have the option. Read more must-knows for washing delicates.

How to hand wash cashmere

If it's unclear whether your washing machine can be gentle enough for cashmere, your safest bet is to hand wash. To do so, follow these five easy steps:

⚪ Step 1: Turn cashmere inside out

Prior to washing, inspect your cashmere for stains. Use a gentle stain spray for delicates to pre-treat stains, then turn the garment inside out.

Turning a sweater inside out

⚪ Step 2: Measure out your delicate detergent

Fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water and add delicate detergent for wool, like this yuzu detergent from Tangent Garment Care. Always follow the instructions (a little goes a long way).

If you don't have delicate detergent on hand, you can also use a pH neutral shampoo. Cashmere is the hair of goats, after all! Submerge the garment in the sudsy water.

A gif of liquid detergent and a cashmere sweater going into a sink

⚪ Step 3: Soak and gently massage

Soak for 10 minutes, then stir or massage your cashmere. Be very gentle in order to avoid damage and shrinkage. Continue by soaking for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and refill your sink with lukewarm water and repeat this step until the water runs clear.

Hand washing cashmere in a sink

⚪ Step 4: Roll in a fresh towel and squeeze

Lay your cashmere on a clean white towel (dark towels might result in color transfer). Roll up the cashmere in the towel and gently squeeze to remove excess moisture.

Rolling cashmere in a clean white towel

⚪ Step 5: Reshape and lay flat to dry

Reshape the cashmere with gentle pulling (don't forget to remove any jewelry from your hands that could potentially snag on the material).

Lay your cashmere flat to dry on a clean towel. Do not tumble dry with heat or hang dry—these actions can cause your cashmere to shrink or become misshapen.

Reshaping freshly washed cashmere

Enjoy wearing your freshly washed cashmere! You can find our favorite products for winter clothes and accessories here.


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Words and gifs by Team Clean
Cashmere by Vince

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