It may still be warm outside, but we’re determined to switch over to our autumn wardrobe. That can only mean one thing – the cashmere is coming out! That’s right, despite the ‘big hair’ humidity, we’re unearthing some of our favourite knits and enduring all the sweat and static that comes with it.
Naturally, you’re going to need to wash your cashmere more regularly in such conditions, and that’s where the worries start. Cashmere is so delicate that it can easily snag, shrink or bobble with the wrong cycle. And considering how expensive it is, we can’t risk any of these. So, should cashmere just steer clear of the drum altogether?
We’re here to put your mind to rest! Turns out, cashmere can go in the washing machine, but only alongside 3 other essentials. Here’s what they are and why you need them.
How to know if your cashmere is good to go in the washing machine
Before you do anything, check the care label on your cashmere to confirm it’s good to go in the washing machine. Depending on the blend, shape and fragility of the wool, there may well be a hand-wash only label. In that case, it’s best to stick to it as the manufacturer has deemed it at risk of damage in the drum.
But if there’s a gentle machine wash logo (this will look like a small wash basket with a number 30 in it and two lines beneath) or you’re willing to take the risk, you can wash it in the machine with the following settings:
- Use a delicates or dedicated wool cycle
- Make sure the temperature is cool (max of 30 degrees depending on care label)
- Use low to no spin (600RPM or less)
- Run an extra rinse cycle if you’re just washing one or two items to remove residual detergent
But that’s not all you need to do…
What three things should you wash with your cashmere?
A mesh laundry bag
Even if you use a cool, gentle cycle and turn your cashmere inside out, it could still snag on other items in the load. Open zips and hooks can catch on the yarn and tear the material, pulling threads and producing holes once the cycle is over. Leaving the cycle empty is not much better because the cashmere could still catch on the components of the washing machine itself. So, what’s the solution? A mesh laundry bag is what you need.
You simply pop your cashmere inside the mesh laundry bag, zip it up (carefully) and load the package into the drum. It will protect the cashmere from the impact as it tumbles and create a barrier so it won’t snag on other items. Mesh laundry bags come in use for any delicate items you may want to protect in the washing machine, such as bras, silk and lace. They’re great for containing smaller items too that might otherwise get lost in the drum, such as laces.
If you don’t have a laundry mesh bag, you could use a pillowcase to contain the item in the interim. But keep in mind, this won’t be as secure unless you can button it shut!
Padding
Considering the above, it’s best to avoid loading your cashmere on its own in the washing machine. Padding is needed to cushion the blow as it tumbles and to save it from excessive abrasion against the wall of the drum. You don’t want to use anything that could catch or snag though, which is why we recommend bedsheets.
Chucking a couple of bedsheets alongside your cashmere will better protect it in the cycle and reduce wear on the material. Keeping a few old sheets spare in the laundry room can come in handy when you need to pad out loads such as this, or if you need to balance the weight when washing one heavy item, like a pillow.
Just don’t make the mistake of stuffing the drum full with them. Wool cycles tend to have a reduced capacity of around 2-4kg (refer to your manual to confirm). While this is assuming the drum is filled with wool, as opposed to sheets, going over this could impact the washing performance and make wear more likely. Only a few bedsheets are needed!
Delicates detergent
Lastly, the type of detergent you use can also take a toll on your cashmere. If you opt for a bio detergent, the enzymes that work so well at breaking down the proteins found in stains end up targeting the proteins in the natural fibres of wool. The soap itself will damage your cashmere, gradually eroding it and dulling the appearance.
To avoid this issue, you should use a non-bio detergent (one that’s free from bleach), or better yet, a detergent designed explicitly for cashmere, such as The Lab Co Cashmere & Wool Laundry Detergent. These detergents don’t contain enzymes, so they won’t inherently damage the cashmere. Delicate detergents are the better of the two because it generally has a more neutral pH, so it’s less intense on delicate fabrics and won’t strip the natural oils in your cashmere (detergents are generally more alkaline because that’s better for shifting stains).
And there you have it! So long as you follow the above tips, your cashmere should be washed effectively, without damage. Just remember to reshape and line dry it flat afterwards to avoid stretching.
Cashmere care kit
