How to Care for Cashmere: The Complete Guide

Cashmere is one of the most luxurious natural fibres on the planet. Softer than merino wool, lighter than cotton, and warmer than most synthetic alternatives — a well-made cashmere shawl or blanket is a genuine investment. But that investment pays off only if you know how to look after it properly.

At CloudSpun Cashmere, every piece we create is made from Grade A, AA or AAA cashmere — the finest grades available. In this guide we share exactly how our team recommends caring for cashmere at home, so your pieces stay as beautiful as the day they arrived.

Can You Wash Cashmere at Home?

Yes — and you should. Many people are nervous about washing cashmere at home and either dry-clean everything (expensive and harsh) or never wash it at all (damaging in a different way). Hand washing in cool water is the safest method and the one we recommend for all CloudSpun pieces.

How to Hand Wash Cashmere

1. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water — never hot. Heat is the enemy of cashmere and will cause it to shrink and felt.
2. Add a small amount of specialist cashmere wash or baby shampoo. Harsh detergents strip the natural lanolin from the fibres, leaving them dry and scratchy. A capful of gentle shampoo works perfectly.
3. Submerge your cashmere and gently agitate for 2–3 minutes. Do not wring, twist or scrub — this breaks fibres and causes pilling.
4. Rinse twice in cool water until the water runs clear and no soap remains.
5. Press out excess water by squeezing gently — never wring. Lay the item flat on a clean, dry towel and roll the towel to absorb moisture.
6. Reshape while damp and lay flat on a fresh dry towel or drying rack away from direct sunlight and heat.

Can You Machine Wash Cashmere?

Some modern washing machines have a cashmere or wool cycle. If yours does, you can use it — on the coldest setting, with a mesh laundry bag and specialist wool detergent. That said, hand washing gives you far more control and is always the safer option.

How to Remove Pilling from Cashmere

Pilling — those small balls of fibre that appear on the surface — is completely normal with cashmere, especially in the first few wears. It does not indicate poor quality; in fact, the finest cashmere pills more initially because the fibres are so fine. Use a cashmere comb (never a lint roller or razor) to gently brush the surface. Within a few washes pilling reduces significantly.

How to Store Cashmere

Storage is as important as washing. Follow these rules:

• Fold, never hang. Hanging cashmere causes it to stretch and distort. Fold neatly and store flat in a drawer or on a shelf.
• Use cedar balls or lavender sachets instead of mothballs. Moths are attracted to natural fibres — cedar and lavender deter them without the harsh chemicals.
• Store in a breathable cotton or muslin bag for long periods. Plastic bags trap moisture and encourage mildew.
• Clean before storing. Body oils and food residues attract moths even if you cannot see them. Always wash before seasonal storage.

How Often Should You Wash Cashmere?

Less often than you think. Cashmere is naturally antibacterial and odour-resistant. For shawls and wraps, airing between uses is often enough. Wash only when visibly soiled or after several wears. Over-washing weakens fibres.

Top Tips from the CloudSpun Team

• Never tumble dry — the heat will felt and shrink your cashmere irreversibly.
• Keep cashmere away from velcro, rough surfaces and jewellery that can snag the fibres.
• Treat stains immediately with cool water — never rub, always blot.
• If your cashmere does shrink slightly, dampen it and gently stretch back to shape while damp.

With the right care, a CloudSpun cashmere shawl or blanket will last 20 years or more. The finest cashmere only gets softer with age — making it one of the most sustainable luxury purchases you can make.

Shop our full range of Grade AAA cashmere shawls and blankets →