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Cashmere items are an indispensable element of the autumn and winter wardrobe. The finest down fiber is eight times warmer than sheep's wool (as promised by real cashmere producers from India, China and Pakistan), which provides maximum warmth with minimum volume.
More advantages? Cashmere is one of the most durable fibers. Experts say that clothes made of this delicate yarn will last for decades if you properly care for such things. Take note of some practical tips so that your favorite sweaters stay with you for many years.
1. Do not wash after each wear
Washing or cleaning is recommended after about the third wear, but this number can be increased by wearing the sweater over a base layer or airing it out after each use. Tip: if necessary, try a special refreshing spray.
2. The information on the label is not always correct
Because it is a very fine yarn, many cashmere items are marked "Dry Clean Only". But the fact is that cashmere is made from goat fluff, which, like our hair, becomes lush and shiny after a good head wash, and dry cleaning can damage the fibers over time. An exception is appropriate if the product is decorated with buttons, metal decoration, embroidery or beads - in this case it makes sense to follow the instructions on the label.
3. Hand wash in cold water only
Regular washing powders and liquids are too harsh on cashmere, so use a mild detergent, a good organic shampoo, or a biodegradable wool wash.
How is it done? Pour water into the basin, add a couple of spoons of shampoo and dip the sweater in it. A warm wash, let alone a hot one, will shrink a sweater faster than you think, so make sure the water is cool enough. Gently soak the product in the basin for about a minute and leave for half an hour. Drain the dirty water and rinse in clean water. Be very careful when wringing: wet fibers are easily deformed. Carefully squeeze out the water and lovingly gather the sweater into a ball (think of it as very expensive pizza dough).
If you cannot do without a washing machine, place the sweater in a laundry bag. To avoid shrinkage, select the delicate cycle and ensure that the water temperature is at a minimum and the spin speed is as low as possible.
4. Do not hang, but spread out
Cashmere is sensitive when the fibers are wet, so you need to be extra careful. Unfortunately, it takes a long time - a downy sweater can take several days to dry, so be patient. Gently squeeze out the water, place the sweater on a dry towel and carefully turn it over. As soon as the towel has absorbed as much moisture as possible, lay the thing out to dry, but not in the sun! It is also not recommended to hang it on a rope, dryer or hangers - as a result, you will get pulled sleeves or "horns" on your shoulders, which is absolutely useless to you.
5. Use a steamer instead of an iron
As you have already learned, heat is dangerous for wool, so do not iron the thing after drying - the iron compresses the fibers. A good vaporizer is our everything. The steam will loosen the yarn and refresh the clean sweater to a "just bought" state.
6. Remove the coils regularly
Knits made from natural fibers have the ability to form fluffy balls in places where there is friction - for example, under the arms or where you carry your handbag. Get rid of unsightly curls using a shaver, lint tape or a special device.
7. Wash before long storage
Be sure to wash and dry sweaters at the end of the season. Reason? Moth. You may think that it is completely clean, worn once, but the moth has a different point of view on this matter. Every cell of your skin, sweat or perfume means a picnic of honor for harmful insects. To drive away unwanted insects, we advise you to give your sweaters a full-fledged spa: wash them, remove the coils, steam them and fold them neatly.
8. Store neatly folded
Always fold and never hang sweaters for storage. For long-term storage, avoid plastic containers where moths can breed safely. We recommend cotton bags for storage, because they "breathe", prevent moisture and protect against insects.
9. Get rid of moths mercilessly
As soon as you notice tiny holes in your sweater, it's time to sound the alarm. Empty the closet, vacuum, spray with pest spray, and do a step-by-step wash. Steaming also does a good job of killing insect larvae. This is war, be brutal and do not rush to send things back to the closet until you are convinced of complete victory over the enemy.
