Wool and Cashmere are very precious clothing. Not everyone can afford it due to the fabric’s high price. As a matter of fact, it was once reserved for the wealthiest fashionistas.
Even Oprah Winfrey picks Cashmere sweaters as one of her favorite things. In her show, – The Oprah Winfrey Show – she has often given away cashmere sweaters to her audience. Most kinds of cashmere are handmade and are of extremely high quality.
Would you guess where they get the cashmere wool from? The fiber is obtained from cashmere goats. But wait. Are goats killed to make cashmere? Not exactly.
It’s only the wool that is sheared out of them. The fiber is most often described as wool. Goat wool is finer, sturdier, and is almost three times more conservative than the wool we get from sheep.
The under-hairs from the goat’s wool make the fiber very soft to the touch. It can simply be described as lustrous. It’s comfortable and cozy to wear.
That said, clothes made from wool and cashmere need to be treated carefully. You cannot load all your clothes in a portable washing machine together with wool and cashmere.
Yes, you can wash cashmere with your portable washing machine for rv or apartment (or any washer for that matter); however, most people prefer to hand wash only. This is because cashmere requires a lot of TLC.
Cashmere and wool clothing need to be taken care of in a very special way. This care is well worth it. Years from purchase, the clothing will look as good as new.
Which is the Best Way to Wash Wool and Cashmere Clothing?
Delicate clothes like wool and cashmere easily stretch and fray if they are not washed in the best way possible.
Wool does not need to be washed that frequently. You can use spot-cleaning detergent to clean the stained areas. Every time wool is cleaned, a bit of damage is done to the fibers. However, when the clothes are too dirty, it’s time to wash them.
Take the clothes to a professional cleaner, if the clothes are too stained. Otherwise, you can do this at home.
Here are two ways to do this:
Machine Washing
Dry cleaning is recommended for wool and cashmere. However, the friction from your portable washing machine can felt wool. In that case, follow all product instructions.
- Cashmere and wool clothing should be washed in cool water with a gentle detergent. The washing machine mode set to wool washing.
- Turn the clothing inside out to avoid friction. You can also use a mesh washing bag to prevent the clothes from any agitation.
- Add the wool & cashmere detergent. Choose the delicate mode and ensure the spin is on low.
- When done, place the clothing flat in their natural state on a drying rack. Avoid direct sunlight because it can damage wool.
Hand Washing
You can ditch your portable washing machine and do your washing by hand.
Here are a few tips for handwashing:
- Get a washbasin and fill it with lukewarm water. Add in a gentle detergent and soak the cashmere sweater in the water. Make sure to turn the sweater inside out to avoid friction and fading.
- Gently knead the sweater in the water several times until it is washed. Drain the water and get more lukewarm water. Keep the temperature of the water the same to avoid shrinkage. Repeat the earlier step and swirl the sweater in the water. You may have to do several rinses for the water to become clear. When the water is no longer soapy, now carefully rinse the water out of the sweater gently.
- Do not wring out the water from the sweater. The sweater will get creased. This way you will not need to iron the sweater.
How to Dry Wool and Cashmere Clothing
A certain level of attention must be given to wool and cashmere clothes when it comes to drying. Careful maintenance will ensure that the wool and cashmere retain their new and original look and feel.
- After washing, the first precaution is to support the sweater from underneath when you are transferring it to another location for drying. You can also use a folding clothes rack. Place the sweater flat as you drain the water.
- Then next is to never hang wet wool clothing. It will stretch and lose its original shape. Actually, it will look two sizes bigger! They can be quite heavy when they are filled with water.
It helps to first of all roll it up the clothing with an absorbent towel. Do this until all water is sucked out. This helps to remove the excess water.
- If you don’t have an absorbent towel, squish the sweater. Do not wring it. Once the water is drained out, hang it out to dry. But not in direct sunlight. Allow it to air dry. Use rust-proof pins or pegs to hold the clothes in shape.
Avoid wire hangers because they will totally stretch the shoulder of the wool or cashmere sweater. While it is out drying flip the sweater once or twice to keep it from getting a moldy or stale smell.
- Some wool and cashmere sweaters can safely be dried in a tumble dryer. However, the clothing’s sew-in label should indicate this. Remember to set the tumbler to a mode that is appropriate and delicate.
Otherwise, your fabric might come out feeling rough and coarse. You can also check in every few minutes to see if the cloth is dry. Practice care.
- Finally, when the clothing has dried, use a soft brush off any residuals that love to stick on wool sweaters.
Wool and cashmere have natural breathability and stretch. The fiber is very resilient.
How to Treat Stubborn Stains on Wool and Cashmere Clothing
Is that an ink stain on your precious cashmere sweater? Don’t worry. There are ways to remove the stain without damaging your sweater.
One thing though – do not store it away without washing it. First, the stain will be too dry to work on when washing. And secondly, the stains become food for pests that love to feed on the natural protein fibers.
Therefore, work on the stain even before putting it in the portable washing machine or hand-washing. If possible, on the spot. To do this, you will need a soft detergent and some vinegar.
Next, mix the detergent with vinegar and rub gently on the stain.
Work inwards to stop the stain from spreading. Now, gently press the stained area with a sponge. Do not scrub with your fingers.
This might leave a visible stain. Gently massage the stained area with the sponge until the stain is no longer visible. This will do the trick.
When the stain is gone, go ahead and wash the sweater as earlier detailed.
Ironing Wool or Cashmere Clothing
Wool and cashmere are made from natural fiber which has perfect hardy abilities. When wrinkled, simply hanging the cloth will relax the fibers.
No need to iron. However, when the clothing is very creased it can be ironed, but with precautions.
A very hot iron will definitely scorch the fabric. Once the fibers are burned they cannot be repaired. This is unlike cotton which can be repaired.
To avoid burning your wool or cashmere, the best thing to do is one, place an ironing cloth between your fabric and the iron. And two, alternatively use a steam iron.
How do you Store Wool and Cashmere Clothing?
To preserve your wool and cashmere clothing careful storage should be taken into consideration. Do you hang or do you fold?
Either will do but folding the cashmere sweater is most preferable. Hanging it might make it have shoulder dimples. The pull of gravity will distort the shape of the sweater. Keep the wool and cashmere buttoned or zipped.
This will keep them in shape and prevent creases. Fold each side of the sweater inward to prevent a line running down the middle of the cloth. Flatten the arms of the sweater and then fold it in half.
An additional tip; often clean the closet where you store your wool and cashmere. Ensure you frequently fumigate, vacuum, and clean the closet.
This is because wool attracts mold and closets can be ripe breeding spaces. Mildew and mold will not thrive in a clean closet. Ensure the clothes are completely dry.
Final Word
Wool and Cashmere can be described as life-long. Clothing made from these two fabrics can last a long time if the fabric is well taken care of.
Also, you can wear your wool and cashmere more than once before cleaning it. This gives it more life.
I will conclude with a quote from Brunello Cucinelli – an Italian entrepreneur known as the ‘king of cashmere.” He once said, “A cashmere knit is like a book. It is something to save and go back to time after time. It is the feeling of an embrace.”
For that reason alone, take good care of your wool and cashmere clothing