How to Keep Your Cashmere Fresh For Years
Cashmere items are investment pieces for your wardrobe. A women’s cashmere sweater, is a fashion staple that is both practical and luxurious. When you properly maintain your cashmere sweaters, they can last you for years. If you’ve recently bought a few new cashmere pieces and would like to keep them in your closet for a long time, here are a few things you should do to ensure they remain fresh and just as good as the day you bought them.
Removing Stains
Spilling food, drink, or any other substance on clothing happens to the best of us. No matter how hard you try, it’s inevitable that at some point you will spill something on your clothes, including your beloved cashmere sweater. Not to worry! There are some things you can do to remove the stain expediently and have your sweater looking as good as new. If you spilled coffee, tea, or red wine on your cashmere cardigan, dab the area gently with cold water and dishwashing liquid.
A cleaning agent like soap or laundry detergent will irritate the material and cause the stain to set in even more rather than get lifted. If there is a makeup stain or other type of grease stain on your sweater, blot it as soon as you notice it. Afterward, soak it in a basin of cold water and gentle shampoo. Finally, a dark stain like chocolate can be removed by dabbing the area with a washcloth dipped in cold water and a liquid detergent. It’s important to remember in all of these instances not to scrub the area too hard, as this will only spread the stain and potentially damage the material.
Cleaning Care
Contrary to popular belief, you can launder your cashmere clothing at home. Items like a cashmere sweater should be washed after two to three wears. In the meantime, you can get rid of any fabric pill that forms on your women’s sweater due to friction with a soft bristle brush or garment comb. Although it’s better to wash your cashmere items by hand, it can be done in a washing machine if you’re in a pinch and don’t have the time available to you.
Protect your cashmere sweater, scarf, dress, or another item by placing it in a mesh bag and washing with cold water on the gentle cycle. If you would rather wash by hand, fill a washbasin with cold water, pour in mild detergent, and soak your cashmere in the soapy water for five minutes. Rinse thoroughly and bunch the clothing together to squeeze out any excess water. It’s better to fold it into a ball rather than wring it (this shouldn’t be done at all), because cashmere is such a soft, delicate material.
Another effective way to remove even more water from the cashmere is to wrap it in a towel and apply pressure. Finally, place your cashmere on a drying rack. Of course, if you feel more comfortable having a professional wash your cashmere or you simply don’t have any time to do it yourself, taking it to a professional cleaner is one of the best ways to ensure your cashmere will be cleaned thoroughly and carefully.
Storing Cashmere Items
The way you store your cashmere is just as important as the way you clean it. Although it might make sense to hang your cashmere sweaters or dresses on a hanger in your closet, this is actually a bad idea because the hanger will prevent the shoulders from maintaining their original shape. To avoid distorting the shape of the sweater or dress, fold the item gently and store it in a dry dresser where it is protected from moisture.
If you are storing your cashmere items like plus size cashmere sweaters away for the spring and summer season, it’s important to clean everything before putting it away for months. Moths are drawn to human scents, so you need to protect your cashmere by removing any odors like perfume or food. Place each piece in a box or garment bag where the pieces will be kept dry but will still be able to breathe. If you are worried about wrinkles, place acid-free tissue paper around each item. To further protect your cashmere pieces from moths, tuck away a couple of cedarwood moth repellents in the storage area.
If you abide by these basic care rules for your cashmere clothing, you can make all the difference between a cashmere sweater that only lasts a season and a cashmere sweater that lasts for years. Women’s sweaters that are made of cashmere are lux and will take your wardrobe to the next level. If you take the time to care for them properly, that investment will prove to be well worth it many times over.