Cashmere Care: How to Wash, Store and Repair Your Knitwear
Keep Your Cashmere Luxurious for Years to Come
There’s something deeply comforting about slipping into your favourite cashmere piece on a crisp winter morning — the softness, the warmth, the effortless elegance. But with luxury comes the need for a little extra care.
Properly looking after your cashmere ensures that it lasts for many seasons to come, maintaining its beauty, shape, and feel. Whether you’ve treated yourself to a new Laura Chambers piece or received one as a Christmas gift, understanding how to wash, store, and repair your cashmere knitwear is the key to long-lasting luxury.
Why Cashmere Deserves Special Care
Cashmere is a natural fibre renowned for its fine texture and warmth-to-weight ratio. Because each strand is so delicate, it benefits from gentle handling. Unlike synthetic materials, cashmere fibres can stretch, shrink, or lose softness if washed or stored incorrectly.
By learning a few simple techniques, you can preserve the integrity of your cashmere so it continues to look and feel as exquisite as the day you bought it.
How to Wash Cashmere at Home
While professional dry cleaning is an option, most cashmere knitwear can be safely washed at home — the key is gentleness and patience.
1. Hand wash with care
Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild, wool-safe detergent. Gently submerge your cashmere piece and swirl it slowly for a few minutes. Avoid wringing or stretching the fabric — let the water and detergent do the work.
2. Rinse thoroughly
Empty the basin and refill with clean, cool water. Rinse until all soap residue is gone. Cashmere doesn’t like agitation, so move it delicately through the water.
3. Press, don’t twist
To remove excess water, press the garment gently between your hands or lay it flat on a towel and roll it to absorb moisture. Never twist or wring, as this can distort the shape.
4. Dry flat
Lay your cashmere flat on a clean towel, reshape it to its original form, and allow it to dry naturally away from heat or direct sunlight. Hanging can stretch the fibres, so flat drying is always best.
Tip: If you prefer professional cleaning, choose a trusted dry cleaner experienced with natural fibres and luxury knitwear.
Shop Cashmere Hats and Beanies
How to Store Cashmere Between Wears
How you store your cashmere is just as important as how you wash it. Proper storage keeps the fibres soft, prevents damage, and helps your knitwear retain its elegant shape.
Fold, don’t hang: Hanging can cause stretching, particularly at the shoulders. Always fold cashmere pieces neatly and store them on a shelf or in a drawer.
Avoid plastic: Use breathable cotton or linen bags rather than plastic, which can trap moisture and lead to mildew.
Keep it fresh: Between wears, air out your cashmere for a few hours to allow any natural moisture to evaporate.
Protect from moths: Store with cedar balls or lavender sachets to naturally deter moths — they’ll keep your pieces smelling fresh too.
Repairing and Refreshing Your Cashmere
Even with the best care, cashmere knitwear can occasionally develop small bobbles or minor pulls. Luckily, these are simple to fix and part of the natural beauty of wearing such a fine fibre.
De-pilling:
Pilling (those small, fuzzy balls that appear on the surface) happens when short fibres rub together. Remove them gently using a cashmere comb or fabric shaver. Always work in one direction and avoid excessive pressure. Our favourite product is our Laura Chambers Cashmere Comb!
Mending pulls:
If a thread catches, never cut it. Instead, use a fine needle to gently pull the thread back through to the inside of the garment.
Professional repairs:
For larger snags or tears, a skilled mender or reweaving service can restore your cashmere so seamlessly that you’ll never notice the damage. At Laura Chambers, we are proud to offer our customers a repair service on all Laura Chambers cashmere for just €35 per garment.
Caring for your cashmere in this way ensures your pieces remain part of your wardrobe for years, evolving with your style and memories.
Seasonal Tip: Refresh Your Knitwear for the New Year
As you pack away festive outfits and prepare for a fresh start, take time to refresh and reorganise your cashmere wardrobe. A simple wash, de-pill, and careful fold will help your pieces stay pristine through the seasons ahead.
This ritual of care — slowing down, appreciating quality, and tending to what you already own — is a beautiful reminder that luxury isn’t just in the purchase; it’s in the way you preserve it.
For more expert insight, read Vogue’s guide to luxury knitwear care.
Invest in Quality, Cherish for Years
Cashmere is more than fabric — it’s an experience. Every Laura Chambers piece is designed to bring comfort, confidence, and lasting beauty to your everyday life. With mindful care, your scarf, wrap, or beanie will remain as soft and luxurious as the first time you wore it.
If you’re looking to expand your collection or find a timeless winter gift, explore our range of cashmere knitwear designed with craftsmanship, sustainability, and elegance in mind.
Warmest Wishes from Laura Chambers
As the year draws to a close, we’d like to thank all our customers for their continued support and love for slow, sustainable luxury. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year filled with warmth, joy, and timeless style.
