How to Wash Cashmere Sweaters: A Complete Care

January 7, 2026 5:25 AM
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Cashmere is highly valued for its exceptional softness and lightweight warmth, making it the epitome of comfortable luxury. Although these delicate fibers feel wonderful against your skin, they need a little more care than your typical laundry pile to remain in optimal shape. 

Many people are afraid of spoiling their favorite knits, but if you know the appropriate techniques, it's actually very easy to keep them fresh. From selecting the ideal soap to perfecting the drying method, this blog takes you through every crucial stage of the procedure.

We will show you exactly how to wash cashmere sweaters at home without the fear of shrinking or pilling. We provide expert care to handle labor-intensive tasks for people with hectic schedules or expensive designer items. You can keep your sweaters looking brand new for years, regardless of whether you prefer the ease of a professional service or a hands-on approach.

Why Proper Cashmere Care Matters

Cashmere is a delicate natural fiber, so treating it like an ordinary cotton t-shirt will swiftly destroy it. Your favorite comfortable items may experience bothersome pilling, shrinkage, or a complete loss of that distinctive buttery softness if improperly cared for.

Taking the time to learn how to wash cashmere sweaters correctly protects your investment and keeps your wardrobe looking expensive and fresh. While some people prefer the convenience of laundry & dry cleaning services in New York, many find that careful home maintenance saves time when it is crunched. 

Consistent and gentle washing cashmere sweaters means your luxury knits stay long-lasting and incredibly comfortable for many winters to come.

A person’s hands gently touching a stack of folded, high-quality cashmere sweaters in cream, charcoal grey, and mustard yellow.

Worried About Washing Your Cashmere Sweaters

Can You Wash Cashmere Sweaters at Home

If you follow the proper procedures, you can surely care for your favorite knits in your own laundry room. Most people choose between hand washing, using a machine, or hiring a pro to clean cashmere safely. Select the approach that best suits your schedule and gives you the most sense of assurance regarding clothing protection.

Hand Wash Cashmere Sweaters

Start by pouring a little amount of baby shampoo or cashmere detergent into a sink filled with cold water. After soaking the garment for approximately 5 minutes, gently rinse it under cold water.

Roll the sweater in a dry towel to absorb the moisture, then squeeze out the water without ever wringing the cloth. To maintain its shape while it air-dries, place the item flat on a drying rack.

Machine Wash Cashmere Sweaters

To avoid snagging when using a machine, put your cashmere sweaters inside a mesh laundry bag. To prevent stretching the wool, always choose the delicate or cold cycle and keep the spin speed as low as possible. Although this method saves a lot of time, a dryer will destroy the fit, so you still need to lay the item flat to dry.

Professional Cleaning Services

Expert cleaners offer an excellent way to handle costly or intricate knits without the risk of mishaps at home. Dry cleaning cashmere is often the safest bet for deep stains or structured pieces that need expert care. Pickup and delivery alternatives for your wash-and-fold or specialty products make life easier with services like ByNext.

Stain Removal: Food, Drinks, and Cosmetics

Accidents happen, but you can save your knits if you act fast and treat the fabric gently. Use these specific tips to handle common spills and marks before they become a permanent part of the wool.

Makeup or Grease Stains

To remove as much oil as you can without going deeper, start by wiping the area with a clean cloth. Rinse with cold water after applying a tiny drop of mild shampoo directly to the area and letting it stay. This easy method protects the delicate fibers in your routine of washing cashmere sweaters while breaking down the grease.

Chocolate Stains

Gently dab the brown mark with a delicate cloth dipped in a solution of liquid detergent and cool water. To prevent the filth from spreading throughout the knit, work from the outside of the stain into the center. Steer clear of scrubbing and forceful circular motions, as they may produce pilling or harm the wool's natural texture.

Red Wine, Tea, or Coffee Stains

Mix a bit of mild dishwashing liquid with cold water and rub the solution into the spill with your fingertips. Rinse the area thoroughly and lay the garment flat to dry so the stain doesn't set into the material. Learning how to wash cashmere sweaters means avoiding hot water and bleach, which can permanently set dark pigments in the fabric.

How to Dry and Iron Cashmere Sweaters

After washing cashmere sweaters, never wring the fabric, as twisting can snap the delicate fibers. To squeeze out the extra water, place the wet garment on a fresh white towel and coil it up like a sleeping bag.

After unrolling it, place the sweater on a flat drying rack out of direct sunshine and heat. Gravity will pull the damp wool, permanently distorting the fit, so avoid using hangers or a clothesline. If creases are visible, do not iron the cashmere sweater directly. Place a steamer slightly above the surface and let the vapor do the work without applying pressure.

Seasonal Care: Washing at the End of Winter

Storing dirty clothes is a recipe for disaster because moths are attracted to human scents, skin oils, and food spills. Take the time to learn how to wash cashmere sweaters properly before warm weather hits, so your knits stay safe. 

Add some cedar blocks or lavender sachets after the fabric has dried sufficiently to serve as a natural bug barrier. Give the wool plenty of time to breathe before putting it away, as any moisture left behind might lead to mildew. This easy end-of-season practice keeps your collection current and prepared for the following year.

Long-Term Storage Tips for Cashmere Sweaters

  • Hangers should be avoided, as they strain the neck and cause persistent lumps in the shoulders. 

  • The ideal method is to fold each item neatly and store it in a dresser drawer or a breathable cotton garment bag.

  • To stop deep creases from seeping into the wool, put a piece of acid-free tissue paper between the folds. 

  • Dry cleaning cashmere before long-term storage can help prevent spots from forming if your goods contain delicate decorations or severe stains.

  • To avoid natural colors from fading over time, store your storage bags in a dark, cool place.

A smiling woman holding a neat stack of folded cashmere and wool sweaters in neutral tones, prepared for long-term seasonal storage.

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FAQS - How to Wash Cashmere Sweaters


How to make a cashmere sweater look new again?

Use a specialized fabric comb to shave away pilling gently, and a steamer to lift fibers and remove deep wrinkles. Proper cashmere care also involves storing your sweaters folded in breathable cotton bags to maintain their original shape.

How to make a cashmere sweater fluffy again?

Soak the garment in cold water mixed with a small amount of hair conditioner to relax the yarns and restore their loft. If home treatments fail, dry cleaning cashmere professionally is a reliable method for safely reviving the natural fluffiness of the wool.

How do you clean a 100% cashmere sweater?

Fill your sink with cool water and mild detergent, then gently submerge and squeeze the garment, avoiding wringing. Learning how to wash cashmere sweaters by hand is the best way to ensure the delicate 100% wool fibers stay soft for years.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your favorite knits doesn't have to be a stressful chore if you follow the proper steps. Mastering how to wash cashmere sweaters at home helps you skip the high pricing of frequent professional cleaner visits while keeping your wardrobe in top shape.

By keeping those delicate threads smooth for years, proper cashmere care is truly an investment in comfort. Just be patient with the cloth and refrain from using excessive heat or rough handling as it dries. These simple routines assure that your high-end items remain warm and attractive throughout the winter season.