Hand-washing in cool water with a gentle wool detergent is the safest way to wash cashmere, followed by drying it flat on a towel away from heat or sun. Avoid hot water, wringing, regular detergent, and the tumble dryer to prevent shrinking, stretching, and felting.

Quick Scoop

  • Use cool or lukewarm water and a detergent made for wool or delicates.
  • Hand-wash gently: submerge, lightly swirl or squeeze, and avoid vigorous rubbing.
  • Never wring; press out water, then roll in a towel to absorb excess moisture.
  • Dry flat on a clean towel, reshaping the sweater; keep it away from radiators, dryers, and direct sun.
  • Machine wash only if the label allows, on a delicate/wool cycle, cold water, inside a mesh bag.

Step-by-step hand wash

  1. Fill a basin or sink with cool or lukewarm water and add a small amount of wool/cashmere shampoo.
  1. Turn the sweater inside out and submerge it, gently squeezing the water through the fibers for 30 seconds or so.
  1. Let it soak for up to about 20–30 minutes if it is quite dirty, unless the care label says “no soak.”
  1. Drain, then refill with clean cool water and rinse until the water runs clear, still handling it gently.
  1. Support the garment as you lift it, press (don’t twist) out water, then lay it on a towel, roll, and press again.
  1. Lay flat on a dry towel or mesh rack, reshape the body and sleeves, and leave to air dry completely.

Stain and pilling basics

  • Spot-treat stains first with a wool-safe stain remover or diluted gentle detergent in cool water, blotting rather than scrubbing.
  • Remove pills with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver, using light strokes while the sweater is dry and flat.

When (and how) to machine wash

  • Only machine wash if the label explicitly allows it and your machine has a wool or delicate cycle.
  • Use cold water, low spin, wool detergent, and a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction.
  • Skip the dryer completely; even on “low,” heat and tumbling can shrink and felt cashmere.

Storage after washing

  • Once fully dry, fold (never hang) cashmere to avoid stretching at the shoulders.
  • Store in a breathable bag or box with cedar or lavender to help deter moths.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.