Cashmere sweaters - so many questions!

[HierarchyOfMugs]

I have just bought a new cashmere jumper, and I'm determined to take better care of this one.

How many times do you wear cashmere before washing it? If it's slim-fitting, do you wear anything under it? How do you wash it? I wash them in the machine on a wool cycle, inside out in a mesh laundry bag - is that right? Do you hang them back in the wardrobe between wears? Do you need to do anything to deter moths?
Is there anything else I should consider?

Wash them as little as possible, so always wear something under it if can.

Also, don’t wear them if you may get sweaty.

I gently machine wash them on a very gentle cycle, then lay flat in a towel and roll it up to dry.

I always wear a layer under it so it requires minimal washing.
Get a handheld steamer to refresh it in between washes.
Should really dry clean or hand wash but I’ve been known to stick mine in a wool wash at 30 and dry them carefully on a padded hanger.

I have a cashmere cardigan. I spot clean it if I've splashed a bit of coffee or something.

I hand wash it every few months. I roll it in a towel to get the wet out rather than wring it, and I flat dry it. I store it folded rather than hang it up.

It was kind of an investment piece, if you know what I mean, and I want it to last many years.

Hand wash cold, dry flat and store folded.
Wash as infrequently as possible.
There are some great videos on YOuTube on this topic.
Wool can really last forever if you take care of it.

AND if you share a house with anyone, NEVER put it in the laundry basket. You know it is a special care item, but others don't and even if they never do laundry, the one time they try and help... you get the picture.

I don't hang up my jumpers.
Once I've worn a cashmere jumper I leave it to air for a bit, then I fold it up and put it away in a cashmere storage bag with moth repellent thingies nearby. My cashmeres all live in storage bags in a plastic lidded box under the bed. (Yes, I have moth paranoia.)

I have a lot of cashmere and have never had an issue washing them on hand wash in washing machine. I always wear a layer underneath them. I store them in moth protectant plastic bags. Not particularly happy about storing them in plastic but don't know what else to do.

I put colibro or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caraselle-Modelli-Proofer-Sachets-Fragrance/dp/B012SIX5DU?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A1C5FIMY69NKZG sachets in with them and in my wardrobe.

My oldest (and first ever) cashmere purchase was from GAP. A black cardigan I bought about 20 years ago. Amazingly it's still going strong and still looks good.

Tend to buy most of my cashmere from Toast nowadays but have a couple of John Lewis and M & S jumpers/cardigans.

I've just ordered some cedar rings and lavender oil.

I wear and air as many times as possible before washing. Wash on wool cycle, cold water and use wool detergent, dry on dryer. Thats it. All brands from Brora to M&S survive this. Its much easier to look after than I thought. but always COLD water.

I basically don’t wash mine at all. And I live in cashmere. I make sure to rotate and air out.

I mainly wear cashmere, only in the winter though. Always wear something underneath, wash every 4/5 wears, wool cycle in the machine, dry flat. In a bin bag and in the freezer for a fortnight before storing in vacuum storage bag for the summer. Hang on area between wears . Never ever do they go in the wardrobe!! But if you don’t have moth you might be ok!!

Do you not get overheated in cashmere? I’ve tried to wear it but even in the chilliest of days find it’s too warm.

I will air them out and only wash as a last resort, but my cashmere jumpers have come up OK after handwashing (handwash only!). I will then put them in a pillowcase and spin at the lowest speed so they can't stretch, to reduce the water content before drying. I do line dry if possible, with them folded in half over the line and the sleeve cuffs pegged. All seems to work well!

I always wear a t-shirt under mine. If I am having a moth problem (not at the moment thankfully) I will store them in moth-proof bags between wears.

Wool wash from time to time, generally all in one go.
Rarely wear anything under them
Hang them to dry on the airer. Might put them flattish if there’s space.
They go back on hangers in the wardrobe between wears.

Hand wash cold as little as possible. If necessary use a pure soap, no detergent

How many times? I wash all knitwear as rarely as possible. It’s always best to wear something underneath it, unless it’s sleeveless.

Between wears? After wearing knitwear I turn it inside out and drape over the rails of a clothes rack placed beside an open window for a few days. Then put it folded into an open basket on a shelf. Clean knitwear is folded in a drawer. Never hung on a hanger.

Moths? Beyond aspiring to scrupulous housekeeping (!) I’ve so far managed with dropping neat tea tree oil into my knitwear drawers. Moth infestation is one reason why I avoid pre-owned knitwear, but those of my friends who are charity shop aficionados are careful to freeze second hand purchases for a few days before introducing them to their wardrobes.

How to wash? Never in the machine, always by hand. Tepid water and a wool specific laundry liquid (usually Ecover). No vigorous agitation. Several rinses in cold water. Final rinse with a drop of vinegar in the water. No wringing. Press gently in a clean towel. Dry flat - preferably outside, otherwise somewhere with a throughput of fresh air.

I hardly ever wash my cashmere. I always wear a layer underneath (usually Uniqlo heatech thermals) so it's never in contact with my skin.
Every once in a blue moon I give it a cold hand wash with Ecover delicates hand wash liquid.
Merino I treat like you've described (wash in delicates cycle in a mesh bag) but not cashmere.
I live in fear of moths and use lots of those moth sachets in my woollens drawer.

I wear a thin t.shirt and wash on the delicates cycle as little as possible inside a tied up pillowcase. I then dry it flat having lovingly laid it out and patted it flat in all its expensive gloriousness. What you really want op though are cashmere socks. DH bought me a pair for Christmas about 6 years ago, I have about 5 pairs now, beautiful creatures.

Thanks for all your advice - I'll hand wash it properly, not just on the hand wash cycle in the machine!
Why do people prefer not to hang cashmere up? I have blazer hangers with wide shoulders, so using one of those wouldn't stretch it - or is there another reason?

I think it might pull OP? Don't know but I roll my cashmere jumpers up so they don't have any crease lines. Do that with all my jumpers.

You need to be careful with wool as the weight of water even after a spin can pull the fibres and stretch the jumper. I do hang mine but folded in half so the weight's less, and peg the cuffs. If you're not sure, dry flat.

They can go out of shape on the shoulders when hung up

I prefer merino and lambswool but same. I keep all knitwear folded flat with lots of mothballs and make sure it's all moved around regularly.

If I do wash knitwear it's always by hand.

I have more cashmere jumpers than I should have, ranging from M&S / Uniqlo, through to Brora and Margaret Howell.

I always wear a thin layer underneath them, and so I don’t need to wash them all that often.

But when I do they go into the machine, inside out, on a wool wash, 30 degrees, with a wool detergent. I’ve even rubbed fairy liquid into stains if necessary (taking care on darker colours).

They get hung on the airer to dry as soon as they come out of the machine, no pressing in towels first or anything, and they are hung up between wears in my wardrobe on curved knitwear hangers.

They have all survived and still look in pristine condition. I think a lot of people panic over cashmere, but I don’t think you need to be nearly as precious with it as some people think you do.

Mine look a bit bobbly and get bits on them, I see now that everyone else is taking much better care of theirs!

Don’t accidentally put them in a hot wash! I did and my DHs lovely, very expensive jumper came out…..chihuahua sized 🤦‍♀️
I hand wash mine in cold water (none of this no washing!) and dry on a flat airer. They last for years.