Van Kukil Guidelines for Cashmere Care
cashmere cleaning, including handwashing & dry cleaning
cashmere storage and moth prevention
cashmere fuzz & bobble removal
Cashmere jumpers, cashmere scarves, cashmere hand embroidered stoles & Jackets and Knitwear can be hand washed or dry-cleaned. Some cashmere can also be washed using the handwash, delicates or woollens cycle on your washing machine. When washing your cashmere in a washing machine ensure you use a specialist cashmere or delicates washing liquid.
An increasing number of cashmere manufacturers are producing cashmere that can be machine washed in a machine at 30 degrees. We do not recommend using a biological detergent and you should always check the garments care label first to ensure that it is suitable for machine washing.
We have used Persil Silk & Wool with cashmere successfully on a wool wash in a machine at 30 degrees. There are now, however, many specialist cashmere care and wool washing products available.
Moths hate light and being disturbed so, as their lifecycle is about 21 days, open your drawers and shake your cashmere clothes. You should also thin about airing your cashmere in full sun as the moth larvae and repelled by light and will fall from the clothing.
If you have an item of cashmere clothing that for some reason cant be washed, fold it up and put it a plastic bag, then put it in the freezer overnight. This will kill anything, including moth larvae, which may be lurking somewhere deep within the cashmere. Freezing your cashmere sweaters is also a good way of fluffing up the fabric.
The use of some kind of moth repellents is advisable as moths are big fans of cashmere wool. Cedar wood moth repellents are a much nicer smelling alternative to old fashioned moth balls and are recommended for cashmere care.
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- Wash your cashmere garment in lukewarm water using a specialist mild detergent.
- When you are washing by hand, squeeze the suds gently through the fabric and do not rub, wring or stretch the fabric in any way. Then rinse carefully in clean lukewarm water (more than once) until all the detergent has been removed and the water runs clear.
- Soaking wet cashmere should only be lifted after the excess water has been squeezed out (or has been on a slow spin cycle in the machine) as it may stretch if you are not careful.
- Once your cashmere has been washed, smooth it back into its original shape and place it flat on a towel and dry naturally away from direct heat (ie radiators or sunlight). Do not hang your cashmere knitwear on a washing line to dry – it will stretch out of shape. You should not tumble dry cashmere unless this is specified as an option on the care label. You should not leave your cashmere wet; you should dry it as soon as soon as you have washed it to avoid the wet dog smell!
- When your cashmere scarves, garment, is dry you may press it lightly with a cool iron to remove any slight creases. But always read the cashmere care label before washing your cashmere scarves . Cashmere clothing which cant be washed, either by hand or in a machine, can usually be dry cleaned.
- The following are some guidelines on cashmere care which may be useful when you are deciding how best to store your cashmere clothing.
- You shouldnt store cashmere sweaters shawls by hanging them on coat hangers as this will cause sagging and distort the shape of the shoulders of cashmere jumpers and cardigans. It is worth folding them carefully and storing them in a drawer or on a shelf when in use and in a sealed box or bag when not in use.
- Ideally, to offer the best care for your cashmere, we recommend you store your washed out-of-season cashmere clothing in cotton breathable washable garment bags. Do not store your cashmere in plastic as cashmere needs to be able to breathe. If you have several folded cashmere items you can use a storage box lined with acid free tissue. Remember you shouldnt store your clothes in a hot or damp loft or cellar. The best store option for cashmere care is to put your storage box or bag in a spare room on top of a cupboard, not jammed underneath a bed.
- We suggest storing cashmere knitwear and shawls in sealed boxes or bags when it is not in use to reduce the risk of insect attack. You should always wash and thoroughly dry your cashmere sweaters before you store them, as soiled knitwear is more attractive to insects and moths.
- Female webbing clothing moths (Tineola Bisselliella) are likely to be the most common moth variety that will feed on your cashmere. These moths lay their eggs on clothing and, when the larvae hatch, they will feed on everything available. The larvae live for a period of 50 days before they pupate so they have plenty of time to dine on your favourite cashmere.
- Cashmere is a very fine natural fibre. Shawls & sweaters made from cashmere requires care and attention but will reward you by lasting a long time and continuing to feel soft wash after wash if it is well cared for.
- After the first few wears you may find small balls, or bobbles, of fibre forming on the surface of your cashmere. These small balls are caused by some of the loose fibres rubbing together during wear, for example under the arms or on the elbows and sleeves of cashmere jumpers and sweaters.
- This pilling does not indicate inferior quality cashmere, it is the result of wearing such a fine fibre. The bobbles can be easily removed, either by carefully picking the balls off by hand or by using a cashmere comb, fabric shaver, de-fuzzing or fuzz away device, available from department stores or supermarkets.
- Once you have removed the pilling, the cashmere garment will increase in softness and become even lovelier to handle. The bobbles will decrease over time if you care.