How to Wash Cashmere Sweaters at Home [2023]

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There’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in cashmere, especially when the weather turns chilly. The best cashmere sweaters, scarves, hats and blankets are luxurious, cozy and oh-so-warm. The only problem is that they’re also incredibly delicate. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should bring them to the dry cleaner. That’s right: Just like washing jeans and bright whites, you can clean many types of cashmere at home … for a whole lot less. Still, you need to learn how to wash cashmere the right way.

What does that mean, exactly? If you’re a pro at doing laundry and know how to wash wool and even how to wash silk, you might think you’ve got cashmere covered. Not so fast! A different set of rules applies to cashmere—whether it’s your best sweater or our favorite $50 cashmere sweater—even when it comes to hand-washing. With these expert-approved strategies and tips, however, you’ll be a pro in no time.

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It depends on the specific garment. Not all cashmere can be hand-washed, but all cashmere can be dry-cleaned. To determine which route to take, read the care label and follow its instructions. If the care label says “dry clean only,” then you need to take it to a dry cleaner. However, if the care label says “hand wash” (or even “machine wash”), hand-washing at home is the better route for both the environment and your wallet. After all, the average cost of dry-cleaning a cashmere sweater is around $15 a pop!

Cashmere is delicate because it’s a natural fiber obtained from goat hair, says Jennifer Ahoni, Tide’s principal scientist. She notes that even sweaters made from cashmere blends will need to be monitored closely when laundering because once the cashmere fibers stretch or constrict due to improper washing, you can’t undo the damage. But if you know how to wash cashmere the right way, things like shrinkage, stretching, detergent buildup and pilling won’t become an issue.

“Yes!” says Catherine Morrissey, president of the luxury cashmere brand White + Warren. “If the care label states ‘machine wash,’ then it is possible to do it.”

But don’t just throw it in with the rest of your laundry on the standard wash setting—a special fabric requires a special treatment. Morrissey recommends washing cashmere in a mesh garment bag in cold water, on the most delicate cycle setting with no spin. However, if your washing machine is not equipped with these options, Morrissey says it’s not worth the risk and you should hand-wash the item instead. The issue? Hot water and over-agitation can shrink the garment and cause pilling.

While you may be able to wash your cashmere in the washing machine, you should never machine-dry it, as high temperatures will “change the shape of the cashmere,” says Hao Rong, founder of the brand State Cashmere. In short, it will also cause the sweater to shrink and pill.

“We recommend washing your cashmere after about five wears, but there’s no such thing as under-washing,” says Morrissey. “If your cashmere still feels and smells fresh, it’s OK to keep wearing it!”

On the other hand, Rong points out that there is such a thing as over-washing—regardless of your laundering method. “Over-washing cashmere contributes to excessive pilling and decreases the life span of your cashmere,” she says. “Dry-cleaning too frequently can also strip and dehydrate your cashmere, making it uncomfortable against the skin.”

Luckily, although cashmere is extremely delicate, it also generally wicks moisture away from your body, says Rong. That means any moisture from your body that is absorbed by the cashmere will dry quickly and not settle into the fabric, reducing the risk of unpleasant odors sticking around.

“Cashmere is not very durable because of its airy and silky nature,” cautions Morrissey, emphasizing the special care the fiber requires. “However with the right cashmere shampoo and knowledge, taking care of your pieces shouldn’t be a difficult process.”

Follow her steps below for how to wash a cashmere sweater (or any other cashmere item) safely and efficiently.

After-care and storage are equally important to maintain the integrity of cashmere. Be sure to fold—never hang—your cashmere so it won’t lose its shape, and store the garment in a cotton dust bag (aka a moth-free zone).

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Throwing a cashmere sweater into a washing machine is so tempting, but it may not be your best move for sweaters that are 100% cashmere. “Hand-washing pure cashmere (not blended with other fabrics or fibers) is recommended because you can use a soft detergent while monitoring your garment [to avoid any issues, like shrinkage, stretching or over-agitation],” explains Rong. With hand-washing, you’re in control of every step of the laundering process, whereas with a machine, you’re relying on a variety of different settings to sync up and work together. According to Rong, as long as you’re using one of the best and most gentle detergents and cold water, “hand-washing is always a safe bet.”

However, some cashmere sweaters are made from a blend of cashmere and other fibers, making them machine-washable. To find out if your garment is machine-washable, check the care tag. Also, if you have a stain on your sweater, spot-treat it with a gentle detergent, let it sit for 20 minutes and follow the hand-washing steps above. (Skip machine-washing so you can keep an eye on the stain and make sure it’s been removed fully.)

If your garment is indeed machine-washable and doesn’t have any stains, follow the steps below. One important note: Wash your cashmere item separately from other fabrics to avoid unnecessary friction and color bleeding.

Incorrectly drying cashmere invites a range of challenges into your life, according to Morrissey. “Never put cashmere into the dryer,” she says. “The heat will agitate fibers and cause irreparable damage.”

Instead, immediately after hand-washing or machine-washing, dry your cashmere on a clean towel. Morrissey recommends “laying the knit flat on the towel and gently rolling it up like a yoga mat to squeeze out any additional water. Then unroll it and leave flat to dry for up to 24 hours.”

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Now that you know how to wash cashmere, learn how to wash athleisure so it looks new longer.

Sources:

How to Unshrink Clothes

How to Wash a Baseball Hat

How to Wash Microfiber Cloths