7 essential tips to preserve your cashmere

To keep your cashmere at its best, storing needs more than just folding and placing in a box. It's important to carefully store your cashmere clothing and accessories to make sure that they stay in stellar condition for years to come. 

Here are some best practices to follow to store cashmere:

  1. Avoid hanging your cashmere, as this leaves your clothing unprotected, and can cause the garments to stretch and lose their shape over time.
  2. To protect your cashmere from moisture, dust and moths - and to keep out contaminants, use a cotton canvas cashmere storage bag. Be sure to store the bag in a cool, dry place, and leave some space for the garments to breathe.
  3. When storing your cashmere, fold it carefully to minimise wrinkles. This will help to keep the garments looking their best.
  4. Don’t use cardboard boxes: Cardboard boxes attract pests as well as allowing the cashmere garments to become misshapen. For maximum protection, opt for a cashmere storage bag made of a sturdier material, such as plastic or cotton canvas. 
  5. It's best to avoid storing your cashmere in plastic bags as they can hinder air circulation, leading to condensation and moisture build-up. This can attract flies and moths and potentially damage your garments. Consider using a breathable storage option such as a cotton cashmere storage bag instead.
  6. Wrap your cashmere in acid-free tissue paper to preserve the colour of your cashmere and prevent fading over time.
  7. Lay the garments in the cashmere storage bag: When placing your cashmere in a cashmere storage bag, take care to arrange the garments in a way that allows them to maintain their shape. Avoid stacking the garments too tightly, as this can cause them to become misshapen.
  8. Use anti-moth products: To protect your cashmere from moths, line the storage area with anti-moth paper or balls, which release a scent that moths find repellent and help keep them away from your garments.
  9. Store your cashmere away from sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause the colours of your cashmere to fade over time. To avoid discoloration, be sure to store your cashmere away from any sources of sunlight.

It's a good idea to clean your cashmere before storing it, to remove any dirt or stains, and to freshen up the garments. Here are a few tips:

Use an Anti Pilling Cashmere Comb

It's a good idea to use an anti-pilling comb on your cashmere garments every few weeks to keep them looking smooth and free of pills. Pills are small balls of fibre that form on the surface of a fabric as a result of abrasion or rubbing. They can make a garment look worn and can be difficult to remove. An anti-pilling comb has fine teeth that can gently remove pills from the surface of the fabric, helping to keep your cashmere looking its best. 

Hand wash your cashmere 

Hand washing cashmere is a gentle and effective way to clean these delicate garments. Done the right way, it will help to preserve the quality for years to come. 

 To hand wash your cashmere, follow these steps:

  1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of detergent specifically designed for cashmere.

  2. Gently agitate the water to create suds and place the clothing in the water. Avoid wringing or twisting, as this can cause them to stretch and lose their shape.

  3. Leave to soak for a few minutes, then gently press the water through the fibres to help loosen dirt or stains.

  4. Rinse the garments in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Avoid using hot water - this can cause the fibres to shrink and become misshapen.

  5. Gently press the excess water from the garments, then lay them flat on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel up to gently blot the water from the garments.

  6. Unroll the towel and lay the cashmere garments out flat to dry. Avoid hanging the garments, as this can cause them to stretch and lose their shape. Instead, lay the garments flat on a clean, dry surface or drape them over a drying rack.

Wash with detergents designed for cashmere

Cashmere is a delicate and natural fibre. To preserve its softness and lustre, it requires a gentle cleaning method. Using a detergent that is too harsh can strip the fibres of their natural oils, making the garments stiff and scratchy.

Look for a detergent that is specifically formulated for cashmere or other delicate fabrics. These detergents are typically made with mild, pH-neutral ingredients that are gentle on the fibres. They can help to preserve the softness and shine of your cashmere, and can also help to remove dirt and stains without damaging the fabric.

Remember to only store your cashmere in its cashmere protection pouch when it is completely dry. Save £10 with a bundle of 5 today

 

Next:  Read our comprehensive guide on how to clean your cashmere