Cashmere Knitwear Care Guidelines
LisaT cashmere care guidelines offer advice on the following aspects of cashmere care:
• Cashmere Care – Wearing
• Cashmere Care – Washing
• Cashmere Care – Storage
• Cashmere Care – Piling Problems
• Cashmere Care - LisaT Notes
Cashmere Care – Wearing
An important reminder prior to wearing cashmere: Products such as deodorant, antiperspirant, perfume, makeup and hairspray can cause staining of the cashmere fibers. Apply all of these products prior to getting dressed and allow them to dry completely.
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Cashmere care – Washing
Cashmere knitwear can be dry–cleaned or hand washed and should be washed after approximately 6-7 wears to keep them looking their best.
Dry-cleaning Cashmere
Without any or little experience on how to handle cashmere, the safest way is to take the garments to reputable dry-cleaners for the best care.
Hand washing Cashmere
Wash your cashmere garment in lukewarm water for five minutes using a specialist mild detergent.
When you are washing by hand, squeeze the suds gently through the fabric and do not rub, wring or stretch the fabric in any way. Then rinse carefully in clean lukewarm water (more than once) until all the detergent has been removed and water runs clear.
Soaking wet cashmere knitwear should only be lifted after the excess water has been squeezed out (or has been on a slow spin cycle in the machine) as it may stretch if you are not careful.
Once your cashmere has been washed, smooth it back into its original shape and place it flat on a towel and dry naturally away from direct heat (i.e. radiators or sunlight). Do not hang your cashmere knitwear on a washing line to dry – it will stretch out of shape. You should not tumble dry cashmere unless this is specified as an option on the care label. You should not leave your cashmere wet; you should dry it as soon as you have washed it to avoid a bad odour.
When your cashmere garment is dry you may press it lightly with a cool iron to remove any slight creases. But always read the cashmere care label before washing your cashmere knitwear. Cashmere clothing, which can’t be washed, either by hand or in a machine, can usually be dry-cleaned.
If cashmere knitwear is stained, dry cleaning is your best option.
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Cashmere Care – Storage
First, be sure they’re dry-cleaned or hand-washed before putting cashmere knitwear away. Moths don’t hunger for the fiber itself, but rather for food, dirt, perspiration or body oils left on the sweater.
Second, do not store cashmere (and wool) in airtight containers. Most authorities suggest letting them breathe by storing in muslin or canvas bags or in acid-free tissue paper. The simple method of storing in a plastic bag is effective if the bag is not entirely airtight. Lisa T suggests that its cashmere knitwear be stored in the plastic bags they are shipped in, which allow a little air to escape. Do not store cashmere knitwear by hanging them on coat hangers as this will cause sagging and distort the shape of the shoulders of cashmere jumpers and cardigans. It is worth folding them carefully and storing them in a drawer or on a shelf.
Third, if you don’t want to go the mothball route, use cloves, lavender, rosemary, thyme, dried orange peel or cedar chips to discourage moths. Be sure to tie the spices or chips in a cloth sachet or handkerchief and avoid placing them directly on the garment to avoid staining. Note that wood chips absorb excess moisture, thus discouraging mold from growing in storage areas.
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Cashmere Care – Piling Problems
Piling, (the little balls that get on the knitwear) is a natural occurrence on cashmere and wool. Not all sweaters will pile, and some will pile more than others, being all natural fibers have their own chemistry that will differ from yarn to yarn. However, a quality sweater should not pile excessively. The piling is usually caused by a friction of some sort; such as a seat belt, purse strap, golf strap, or even synthetic lining of jackets.
The piling can be easily removed, either by carefully picking the balls off by hand or by using a cashmere comb, fabric shaver, and de-fuzzing or fuzz away device, available from department stores or supermarkets.
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LisaT Notes
Producing a top quality cashmere garment starts from the careful selection of raw materials whose fibers must be the finest, cleanest, longest and 100% cashmere.
The spinning of noble cashmere fibers must be spun using the latest technology and machines. Strict parameters must be applied to the technical properties of the yarn; its strength and elasticity.
The dyeing also requires skilled technicians who know the performances and reactions of the noble fibers and must be strictly controlled by international regulations and laws for health protection and pollution.
The knitting of a garment is a translation of the design, an execution of the construction, the fruit of the designer’s imagination and feelings, influenced by its reaction to the current trends. The importance of the knitting through the manufacturer cannot be undervalued as the tension, stitches and linking will ultimately affect the outcome and quality of the final garment.
The hand feel is the final finish of a cashmere garment and its softness must not be achieved to the loss of performance, which results in piling. The extreme search of softness through over wash dangerously borders with the formation of piling and devalues the cashmere garment. Quality control on the perfect timing is vital when washing cashmere in production. The cashmere garment should be soft enough to convince a purchase and the hand feel should get softer and better through time and more wears.
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