How to Care For Cashmere

A Guide to Washing, Drying & Storing Cashmere Clothing

Cashmere earns its place in the rotation for a reason. It’s soft, warm, and only gets better with time—provided you care for it well. The good news: cashmere is more resilient than its reputation suggests. With the right approach, a great piece can stay soft, hold its shape, and last for years. 

This is a general guide to caring for cashmere, from washing and drying to long-term storage. Always check the care label on your specific piece first, then use these tips to keep it looking and feeling its best. 

Key Takeaways

• Cashmere doesn’t need frequent washing—every three to four wears is plenty.
• Hand washing in cool water with gentle detergent is the safest approach at home.
• Never wring or hang cashmere; lay it flat to dry to protect its shape.
• Skip fabric softener—cashmere naturally softens the more it’s worn and washed.
• Fold, don’t hang, and store in a cool, dark place to keep pieces fresh season after season.

How Often Should You Wash Cashmere? 

Less than you’d think. Cashmere resists odor and dirt naturally, so it rarely needs washing after a single wear. A good rule: clean it after roughly three to four wears, or whenever it genuinely needs a refresh. 

Between wears, let each piece rest a day before folding it away. Airing it out does more than you’d expect—often, that’s all it needs. 

How to Hand Wash Cashmere at Home

Hand washing is the gentlest way to clean cashmere, and it’s less intensive than it sounds. It gives you full control over temperature and handling, which is exactly what the fiber needs. 

Here’s the approach:

• Fill a clean basin or sink with cool or lukewarm water, no warmer than 30°C (about 86°F). Heat is cashmere’s weak spot.
• Add a small amount of gentle detergent made for wool or delicates. A low-pH option like baby shampoo also works well in a pinch.
• Turn the piece inside out and submerge it. Gently press the water through the fabric rather than rubbing or twisting.
• Let it soak for about five minutes, then rinse in fresh cool water until no detergent remains.

One rule stands above the rest: never wring cashmere. Twisting stretches the knit and distorts the shape you’re trying to protect. This approach is best for most everyday cashmere sweaters, scarves, and knits. 

How to Clean Cashmere Without Dry Cleaning 

Dry cleaning isn’t required for most cashmere—and gentle home care is often better for the fiber over time. Hand washing, done correctly, keeps pieces soft and hydrated without the chemicals. 

That said, certain pieces call for a professional touch. Structured knits, delicate voile weaves, and double-face fabrics used in coats should typically be left to a specialist. When the care label says dry clean, follow it. For everything else, a careful hand wash at home does the job.

How to Dry Cashmere The Right Way

Drying is where good cashmere care is won or lost. Heat and hanging are the two things to avoid—both distort the fiber and pull pieces out of shape. 

Follow these steps: 

• Lay the piece flat on a clean, dry towel.
• Starting at one end, roll the towel and cashmere together to gently press out excess water.
• Unroll, then move the piece to a fresh, dry towel.
• Reshape it by hand while damp, smoothing it back to its original form.
• Let it air-dry flat, away from direct sunlight and heat.

But how long does cashmere take to dry? Air-drying flat usually takes around 24 hours. Resist the urge to speed it up with a radiator or dryer—patience protects the shape. 

How to Store Cashmere Sweaters 

Storage matters as much as washing, especially through the off-season. The goal is simple: keep pieces flat, protected, and free from moths. 

Always fold cashmere. Hanging stretches the shoulders and pulls the knit out of shape. Be sure to store this type of clothing in a cool, dark, dry place. An airtight bin or drawer works well. Add cedar blocks or dried lavender to keep moths away naturally, without chemical mothballs. And make sure pieces are clean before long-term storage. Even invisible residue can attract pests over time. 

A little care here means your cashmere comes back each fall exactly as you left it. 

Handling Pilling & Everyday Wear 

Pilling is normal—even with the highest-grade cashmere. It’s a sign of friction, not poor quality, and it’s easy to manage. Gently remove pills with a cashmere comb or a fabric shaver, working in one direction across the surface. 

Rotating your pieces helps too. Giving each sweater a rest between wears reduces strain on the fibers and helps everything hold its shape and softness longer. 

Cashmere, Made to Last 

Cashmere rewards the care you put into it. Wash it gently, dry it flat, store it with intention—and it returns the favor season after season, softer each time. Once it becomes second nature, caring for cashmere feels less like maintenance and more like part of the ritual of a piece worth keeping.