Would this be hand washable?

[halfandhalfchipsandrice]

I don't want to dry clean. I think it would be okay...do you?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/brushed-pure-cashmere-button-front-cardigan/p/clp60763488#intid=pid_pg1pip36g4r4c4%7Cprodflag_New%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_QP_38

It should rarely need washing. Pure wool is self cleaning.

Get a bottle of vodka, the cheapest home brand you can buy and put it in a spray bottle. Then when you wear it turn it inside out and spray the underarms with the vodka. Hang it somewhere to air for a few hours but then take it off the hanger and keep it folded on a shelf.

If you spill something down it just spot clean it.

I think if you air after wearing, it should be ok. However, occasionally wash with a wool specific mild soap. I would do a hand wash, very gently. Pure wool isn't self cleaning, although it certainly doesn't absorb stains and smells like synthetic textiles. I've washed cashmere in the machine on a very delicate cycle, with Fairy non bio, but it depends on your machine.

Not sure why I was looking at washing wool, think it might have been an article in the Guardian on Jumpers this week, it implied just air try not to wash.

I wash cashmere on the wool wash cycle in our washing machine with wool wash liquid. Reshape whilst damp and dry flat: it’s always been fine. I don’t subscribe to wool not absorbing smells. But wash less frequently than other tops that’s for sure.

It certainly absorbs smells! Just perhaps less than synthetic fibres. All woollen garments need to be washed.

I too always wash cashmere and other wool items in the washing machine on wool programme (and so far without issues) but this garment says to dry clean. I don't subscribe to the self cleaning stuff and would want to wash it now and again. Think I'll chance it.

I'd chance it on your gentle cycle. You can't keep getting it dry cleaned.

I would be nervous about washing this and I can't remember the last time I too something to the cleaners. I think the fluff on this might go a bit matted x

Yes I wondered about the fluff side of it. It's what makes it different...but I think you might be right.

I think they often specify dry-clean only to be on the safe side.

I wash wool, cashmere happily in a Miele machine with no problems, but that particular cardigan is high maintenance looking, don’t think washing would be a good idea, imagine it could get very matted looking with normal wear.

Could you wash it inside a pillowcase? That's what I often do with delicate items..

The vodka neutralises the odour and bacteria. It's what theatre costume people do.

I agree that brused cashmere is more delicate. I would risk a gentle hand wash on normal cashmere.

However my husband did shrink a cashmere jumper in the past

I wear a lot of wool and cashmere (and silk) and am ordinarily very gung-ho about washing on a gentle wool cycle and drying flat. What's giving me pause here, however, is the brushed finish. I don't think it's any more likely to felt than a smooth fibre but it will flatten and matt after washing and will need to be painstakingly re-combed to restore the finish. I think that's why dry-cleaning is recommended.

It's nice, but for me it's not nice enough to warrant that level of faff.

I've washed a cream brushed cashmere Jaeger cardigan after an incident involving a drum of turmeric powder🤦🏼.
In the machine on a 20° delicate wash with wool detergent. It came out fine & as fluffy as ever.
Having said that I don't think I would be as gung-ho about washing this as often as my other plain cashmere knits. So it will now be kept strictly for going out days, not for at-home cooking & cuddling a spaniel days.

How does the brushed cashmere wear? Does it, as someone suggested, matt?

Wow! I’m impressed that you managed to get turmeric stains out - I struggle when it stains my tea towels, let alone cashmere.

M&S care instructions are usually accurate e.g. hand washing a machine wash garment can result in creases. Dry cleaning is for a reason.

For that price I really wouldn't risk washing it and definitely never in a machine.

There are some cashmere that does allow for washing - that might be the pragmatic solution

I wash cashmere if it’s labelled as washable. Never had a problem with those, but I wouldn’t risk washing this as it’s labelled do not wash. As it’s from M+S who sell washable wool knitwear ….I don’t think you can assume that they just slap a Do Not Wash label onto all their cashmere.

You could try wetting a tiny area on the back and see what happens? But if it were mine, I wouldn’t risk it, keep it for best, and it should only need dry cleaning rarely. Btw if you’re not wearing it that often, moths love cashmere and the more so if you’ve worn it, but you can keep it safe by storing it somewhere light where it’ll be disturbed regularly.

@Catonacoldfridgefreezer it was a new drum of powder that I was trying to open. I literally accidentally toppled the whole tin over me. I rinsed it off in cold water straight away & then washed it on cold.
Absolutely no staining left.
I think it's the heat that maybe causes the staining in Turmeric. Or the fact it's been cooked in a curry.
I'm well used to leaving white t shirts out in the sun to remove curry stains.

Even cheaper than vodka, you can use vinegar mixed 50/50 with water. Also works on wool school blazers.