Can cashmere be hand washed?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, hand washing is often better for cashmere than dry cleaning.¹

While many care labels say “Dry Clean Only,” this is often just a liability protection for the manufacturer. Dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals that can eventually strip the natural oils from the cashmere fibers, making them brittle over time.² Hand washing keeps the fibers soft and fluffy.³

Here is the safest method to hand wash cashmere at home without ruining it:

The Golden Rules

• Never use hot water: It shrinks the fibers instantly.

• Never wring or twist: This warps the shape of the garment.⁴

• Never hang to dry: The weight of the wet water will stretch the fabric out of shape (creating “long arms”).⁵

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the Bath

Fill a sink or basin with cool to lukewarm water. Add a small amount of gentle detergent.

• Best choice: Dedicated wool/cashmere wash (like The Laundress or Woolite).⁶

• Good alternative: Baby shampoo (it is pH neutral and gentle).⁷

2. Soak, Don’t Scrub

Turn your garment inside out and submerge it. Gently swirl it with your hand to suds it up.8 Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes.9+1

• Note: Do not rub the fabric together to remove stains; this causes pilling (fuzz balls). Instead, gently massage the stain with your fingertips.

3. Rinse

Drain the soapy water and refill with cool, clean water.10 Gently press the garment against the side of the basin to rinse.11 Repeat until the water runs clear and no soap bubbles remain.12+1

4. The “Towel Burrito” Method (Crucial for Drying)

Since you cannot wring the water out, you must use a towel.13

• Lay a clean, dry white towel flat on the floor or a table.¹⁴

• Lay your wet cashmere flat on top of the towel.¹⁵

• Roll the towel up with the cashmere inside (like a burrito/Swiss roll).¹⁶

• Press down on the roll to help the towel absorb the excess water.¹⁷

5. Air Dry Flat

Unroll the towel and remove the garment.18 Lay the cashmere flat on a drying rack or a fresh dry towel.19+1

• Reshape it: Nudge the collar, sleeves, and hem back into their proper shape while it is damp.²⁰

• Let it air dry away from direct sunlight or heat sources (like radiators), which can fade and shrink the fabric.²¹

One Exception

If your cashmere item has structured linings (like a blazer with shoulder pads), intricate beadwork, or leather trim, you should stick to dry cleaning. Hand washing is best for unstructured knits like sweaters, scarves, and beanies.²²