Cashmere Care and Maintenance
topic
Care requirements: hand wash or gentle machine wash (cool water 30°C, wool detergent pH 6-7, short cycle), reshape while wet, flat dry away from heat/sunlight, no tumble drying, storage with moth protection (cedar, lavender), and pilling removal (fabric shaver, cashmere comb—pilling natural in first 5-10 wears, decreasing with use). Professional care: dry cleaning safe with perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon solvents, annual professional cleaning recommended. Lifespan: properly cared cashmere garments last 10-30 years vs. 3-5 years for fast fashion cashmere (lower quality, inadequate care).
Role
Proper care essential for maintaining cashmere investment—delicate fibres damaged by hot water (felting), agitation (pilling, shrinkage), and moths (larvae consume keratin)—with consumer education on care and realistic pilling expectations critical for satisfaction and repeat purchase in premium cashmere segment.