How to Care for Cashmere at Home: 7 Rules to Make It Last

To care for cashmere at home, hand wash in cool water with a mild wool detergent, gently press out moisture without wringing, then lay flat to dry away from heat and sunlight. Never hang cashmere while wet, never tumble dry, and store it folded with cedar or lavender to keep moths away. Done right, a 100% cashmere sweater, scarf, or pair of gloves will last 10 to 15 years and grow softer with every season.

Most people overcomplicate it, or avoid washing altogether out of fear. Neither helps. This guide covers the seven rules Vinci Cashmere recommends for every piece in your wardrobe, from your heaviest sweater to your cashmere socks.

In this guide

• How often should you wash cashmere?
• How to hand wash cashmere step by step
• Can you machine wash cashmere?
• How to dry cashmere without ruining it
• How to remove pilling from cashmere
• How to remove stains from cashmere
• How to store cashmere between seasons
• Frequently asked questions

How often should you wash cashmere?

Less often than you think. Cashmere naturally resists odour because the fibre does not trap bacteria the way synthetics do. Wash after every 3 to 5 wears, or immediately if something spills on it. Between washes, lay the piece flat overnight in a ventilated room to air out. Over-washing is one of the most common causes of premature pilling and fibre loss, so restraint here is genuinely protective.

One practical tip: wearing a thin base layer underneath a cashmere sweater absorbs body oils and sweat, which means the cashmere itself stays cleaner longer and needs fewer washes per season.

How to hand wash cashmere step by step

Hand washing is the gold standard. It gives you full control over temperature and agitation, preserving the fibre far longer than any machine cycle. Here is the exact process:

1. De-pill first. Run a cashmere comb lightly over the dry garment before washing. Removing loose surface fibre beforehand makes the wash cleaner and the result neater.
2. Fill a basin with cool water. Keep it below 30°C (86°F). Hot water causes cashmere to shrink and felt irreversibly.
3. Add a small amount of detergent. Use a specialist cashmere or wool shampoo, or plain baby shampoo. Avoid regular detergents, fabric softeners, and anything with enzymes or bleach. About one teaspoon is enough for most pieces.
4. Submerge and press gently. Push the garment under the water and press it through the fibres. Do not rub, scrub, or twist. Think of it as squeezing water through a sponge, not washing a dish.
5. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes. No longer. Extended soaking can relax the fibres and cause stretching.
6. Rinse thoroughly. Drain the soapy water, then refill with clean cool water and press through again. Repeat until the water runs completely clear with no trace of detergent.
7. Remove water without wringing. Lay the garment on a clean dry towel, roll them both up together like a swiss roll, and press gently. The towel absorbs the water without putting mechanical stress on the fibres.

Can you machine wash cashmere?

Yes, with conditions. Many modern cashmere garments tolerate a machine cycle when handled correctly. Check your care label first: if it says "hand wash only," respect that. If it says "machine wash" or "delicate cycle," follow these steps:

• Turn the garment inside out.
• Place it inside a mesh laundry bag to protect it from friction against the drum.
• Select the wool or delicate cycle at 30°C or cooler, with the lowest spin speed available (400 to 500 rpm maximum).
• Use a specialist wool or cashmere detergent, not a standard laundry liquid.
• Remove immediately when the cycle ends. Do not leave damp cashmere sitting in the drum.

Machine washing is convenient, but it does carry slightly more risk of stretching or pilling than hand washing. For pieces you wear frequently and want to last longest, hand washing remains the better choice.

How to dry cashmere without ruining it

Drying is where most cashmere damage happens. Three things to never do: hang it while wet, tumble dry it, or place it near a radiator or in direct sunlight. Wet cashmere is heavy, and hanging stretches the shoulders and body out of shape in ways that are very difficult to reverse. Heat, whether from a tumble dryer or a radiator, shrinks and felts the fibres permanently.

The right method: after the towel-roll step above, lay the garment flat on a fresh dry towel or a mesh drying rack. Gently reshape it to its original dimensions while it is still damp. Leave it in a cool, well-ventilated room away from sunlight. Most cashmere pieces are fully dry within 12 to 24 hours depending on thickness.

Step	Do this	Never do this
Water temperature	Cool to lukewarm (below 30°C)	Warm or hot water
Detergent	Cashmere shampoo or baby shampoo	Regular detergent, bleach, fabric softener
Agitation	Gentle pressing and soaking	Rubbing, scrubbing, wringing
Drying method	Flat on a towel, reshaped while damp	Hanging, tumble drying, radiator, sunlight

How to remove pilling from cashmere

Pilling is not a defect. It is a natural characteristic of any pure natural fibre, including the finest cashmere. It happens because short fibre ends work their way to the surface and tangle together. It is most noticeable in the first few wears and decreases significantly after the first few de-pilling sessions.

To remove pills correctly, lay the garment flat on a firm surface. Hold one end firmly to keep the fabric taut, then draw a cashmere comb across the surface in one direction at roughly 30 to 45 degrees, using light, even pressure. Work section by section. Collect the fluff as you go. Stop when the pills are gone. Do not over-comb and do not pull pills off by hand, as that drags attached fibres with them and thins the fabric over time. Electric fabric shavers work too, but use the lowest setting and test on a hidden area first.

How to remove stains from cashmere

Act quickly. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to lift. For fresh stains, blot gently with a clean damp cloth. Do not rub, as rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fibre. For most common stains (food, drink, oil), apply a small drop of baby shampoo or specialist cashmere detergent directly to the dry garment, press it in gently with a clean cloth, then rinse with cool water. Let the area air dry flat.

For stubborn stains, a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar in cool water can help lift residue before rinsing. Always spot-test on a hidden area first, especially with darker or more vibrant colours. If a stain has set and home treatment is not working, professional dry cleaning is the appropriate next step, rather than scrubbing harder and risking fibre damage.

How to store cashmere between seasons

Storage mistakes cause as much damage as washing mistakes. The two main threats are moths (which eat natural fibres) and stretching from incorrect folding or hanging. Here is how to avoid both:

• Always wash before storing. Body oils and invisible food traces attract moths. Even a garment that looks clean should be washed before going into seasonal storage.
• Fold, never hang. Folded cashmere retains its shape. Hanging stretches the shoulders and body over time, even when the garment is dry.
• Use breathable storage. A cotton garment bag or a drawer is ideal. Avoid plastic containers or bags, as they trap moisture and create conditions where mould and mildew can develop.
• Add moth deterrents. Cedar balls, cedar blocks, or lavender sachets placed with your stored cashmere repel moths naturally. Replace cedar products each season as the scent fades. Do not let cedar touch the cashmere directly.
• Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid attics or basements where temperature and humidity fluctuate.

Frequently asked questions about cashmere care

Can you put cashmere in the washing machine?

Yes, if the care label permits it. Place the garment in a mesh laundry bag, select the wool or delicate cycle with cold water, use a specialist cashmere detergent, and keep the spin speed below 500 rpm. Remove immediately once the cycle ends and lay flat to dry. If the label says "hand wash only," skip the machine entirely.

Does cashmere shrink when washed?

Cashmere shrinks when exposed to heat or agitation. Washing in cool water and skipping the tumble dryer prevents shrinkage in almost all cases. If a piece does shrink slightly, wet it again in cool water, gently stretch it back to shape by hand, and lay it flat to dry. Full felting (where the fibres mat together permanently) only happens with hot water or high-heat drying.

How do you get the smell out of cashmere without washing it?

Lay the garment flat in a well-ventilated room overnight. Fresh air neutralises most mild odours without any mechanical stress on the fibres. A light mist from a fabric refresher spray designed for delicates can help with more persistent smells. For anything stronger, a gentle hand wash is the cleanest solution.

Why is my cashmere pilling so much?

Some pilling in the first few wears is completely normal, even on high-quality cashmere, as residual loose fibres from the manufacturing process work their way to the surface. It reduces significantly after 2 to 3 de-pilling sessions. If pilling is heavy and persistent after the first season, the cashmere may be a lower grade with shorter fibres. Grade A Mongolian cashmere (14 to 16 microns) pills less and settles faster than cheaper blended fibres.

How do you revive cashmere that has lost its softness?

Hand wash in cool water with a small amount of baby shampoo or specialist cashmere conditioner. Let it soak for 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and lay flat to dry. The natural oils in these gentle cleansers help restore the fibre's softness. A steam from a garment steamer also helps refresh the texture between washes without the full wash process.

Should you dry clean cashmere?

Occasional dry cleaning for stubborn stains is fine, but regular dry cleaning as your default care method is not ideal. The chemical solvents used strip natural oils from cashmere fibres over time, leaving them drier and less soft with each clean. For routine care, hand washing at home preserves softness better and is gentler on the fibre long-term.

Looking for more? Read our guides on how to choose the perfect cashmere sweater and how to identify real 100% cashmere.