Yes, your cashmere sweater can be machine-washed.
The Basics of Caring for Cashmere
The best way to wash cashmere is by hand.
Cashmere can also be washed in a washing machine, provided some precautions are taken.
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Cashmere should not, however, be dried in a dryer.
To prevent shrinking, fraying, or pilling, always air-dry cashmere.
Between washes, use a technique called spot-treating to remove stains and light soiling from cashmere.
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Should I Dry-Clean Cashmere?
Additionally, dry cleaning is not as effective at removing odors as wet cleaning (i.e.
Therefore, be brief and gentle when hand-washing cashmere.
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Add a small amount of no-rinse detergent, following manufacturer instructions on dosing.
Allow the garment to soak in the detergent solution for 10 minutes.
Drain the wash water.
Do not wring cashmere, which will twist the fibers, causing stretching or fraying.
Lay the garment on a dry towel and roll it up to squeeze out even more water.
Finally, lay the garment flat to air dry on a dry towel or flat drying rack.
Wash cashmere with other delicate or lightweight items like undergarments and light pajamas.
Avoid washing cashmere in loads with bulky or heavy items like jeans, sweatshirts, or towels.
If your machine has a separate setting for cycle length, choose the shortest cycle available.
A flat mesh drying rack is ideal, but cashmere can also be dried flat on a towel.
Rotate the garment to promote even drying.
Doing so will abrade the fabric, causing fraying or pilling.
Using a laundry brush on cashmere is not recommended.
There are even vegan cashmere alternatives made from the byproduct of soybean processing.
When washing your cashmere items, avoid overhandling or twisting the fabric.
If pilling occurs, you canremove the pills with a fabric shaver or disposable razor.
