How do you wash a cashmere scarf?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Instructions say dry clean only! But I have also read that dry clean isn't good for cashmere.

I'm thinking of putting it on a wool hand wash cycle in the machine with wool laundry liquid. Do you think it will be ok?

I’d hand wash, and use a tiny bit of wool safe liquid (or mild shampoo, even).

Squeeze very gently and roll it up in a towel to get most of the water out, then dry flat.

Unless you have tested the delicate cycles on your machine, or wish to use the scarf as a test-piece, DO NOT WASH IN MACHINE.

Wash in sink with liquid soap as pp suggests.

I say this as someone who has a new machine and recently shrank my special woollens despite following instructions very carefully.

An extra tip; to wring the water out of delicate items, wrap in a towel and twist the towel instead to avoid damaging the delicate seams/ fabric/ fibres.

Sorry I totally am repeating what flying squid said. Just do what flying squid says.

Thank you, I have washed other cashmere items in the machine and they've been ok but am nervous about this scarf as I really love it!

I use a cold wool cycle in the machine with Woolite liquid for cashmere and silk and it always comes out fine.

Brora cashmere soap or liquid soap from e.g. wilko. Hand wash.

As evilharpy does - but I think the "cold" bit is crucial. If your machine doesn't offer a cold option, even if the delicates cycle is 30 degrees, don't risk it.

@CaraDuneRedux

As evilharpy does - but I think the "cold" bit is crucial. If your machine doesn't offer a cold option, even if the delicates cycle is 30 degrees, don't risk it.

Definitely. Ours does cold, 20⁰, 30⁰ etc. I use cold, not even 20⁰.

I always put cashmere and silk in the washing machine on a woollen cycle with Woolite, and hang to dry gently. Never had a problem, and they smell gorgeous! When we bought the machine, the lady in John Lewis assured me that the wool cycle would be much more gentle than any hand wash I could do myself, suits me!

Use a net lingerie bag, one that fits the scarf without too much excess room. Low temperature quick wash and a slow spin.

Is it a woven cashmere scarf or a knitted one?
I have a “vintage” —second hand— woven paisley scarf made of cashmere and those must be dried flat to keep the design. Not even hung and stretched into a square. But it stands up to hand washing.

Knitted cashmere tends to felt up, even with maximum care. So I use human conditioner in cold water, squeeze through for five minutes, drain, squeeze and towel dry, then drape across the rack to finish drying.