How to Care for Cashmere Sweater | Keep It Soft for Years

To care for a cashmere sweater, wash it by hand in cool water with a gentle detergent, press out excess water without wringing, and dry it flat away from heat.

A cashmere sweater feels luxurious for a reason—fine wool fibers are delicate, and the way you wash, dry, and store them decides whether the knit stays soft for a decade or pills and sags after one season. The good news is that cashmere care is genuinely simple once you know the few rules that matter. This guide walks through the full routine, the common mistakes that ruin sweaters, and what to do about pilling.

How Often Should You Wash Cashmere?

Less often than you think. Cashmere doesn’t need washing after every wear—the fibers are naturally odor-resistant, and over-washing causes unnecessary wear. Most sweaters only need a wash after four to six wears, or when they pick up a visible stain or noticeable smell.

Between washes, let the sweater air out for a day before folding it back into storage. Spot-treat small marks with a cashmere-safe detergent rather than washing the whole garment. This single habit does more to extend a sweater’s life than any special product.

The Correct Way to Hand Wash a Cashmere Sweater

Hand washing is the safest method for most cashmere, and it takes about 15 minutes of actual work. The process is gentle from start to finish.

1. Check the care label first. If it says dry clean only, follow that instruction. Some brands also permit a wool or delicate machine cycle, but only when the label explicitly allows it.
2. Fill a clean sink or basin with cool water and dissolve a small amount of wool/cashmere shampoo, baby shampoo, or a gentle detergent before adding the sweater.
3. Submerge the sweater and gently press it underwater. Let it soak for a few minutes, then lightly agitate—never rub, scrub, or twist the fabric.
4. Drain the soapy water and rinse thoroughly in fresh cool water until no suds remain.
5. Press water out of the sweater with your hands, then roll it in a clean towel and press again to absorb remaining moisture. Do not wring or twist.
6. Reshape the sweater to its original dimensions while it’s still damp, then lay it flat on a dry towel or mesh drying rack, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

After it dries completely, fold the sweater and store it in a cool, dry place. This method, which follows wash guidance from the Good Housekeeping Institute’s cashmere washing guide, keeps the fibers intact and the shape true.

Mistakes That Ruin Cashmere (and What to Do Instead)

Most cashmere damage comes from a handful of well-intentioned habits. Knowing them is half the battle.

• Hanging the sweater. Gravity stretches wet or heavy knits, permanently distorting the shoulders and body. Always fold cashmere for storage, never hang it.
• Using fabric softener. Softeners coat the fibers in a waxy residue that dulls the natural sheen and can actually make the knit feel less soft over time. Skip it entirely.
• Wringing or twisting. These motions deform the wool fibers and cause the sweater to lose its shape. Press and roll instead.
• Drying with heat. Tumble dryers, radiators, and direct sunlight all shrink or stiffen cashmere. Flat-dry at room temperature only.
• Scrubbing pills or stains. Aggressive scrubbing pulls out healthy fibers and creates thin spots. Treat stains with a light dab of detergent, and handle pills gently.

How Do You Get Rid of Pills on Cashmere?

Pilling is normal on cashmere—small fiber balls form from friction where sleeves rub against sides or a bag sits on a shoulder. It’s not a quality defect, and it’s easy to fix.

Use a cashmere comb or a fabric shaver to remove pills gently. Sweep the comb in one direction over the pilled area with light pressure—never press hard enough to scrape the knit. A fabric shaver works faster; run it just until the surface looks clean. Doing this between wears keeps sweaters looking fresh and prevents pills from becoming matted into the fabric.

If you’re shopping for a new sweater and want a specific color that’s easy to keep clean, our roundup of the best aqua cashmere sweaters we’ve tested covers softness, weight, and how each one holds up to washing.

FAQs

Can you machine wash cashmere on a delicate cycle?

Only if the care label says it’s safe. Some brands allow a cold, delicate machine cycle, but you must use a mesh laundry bag and a wool-specific detergent. Even when permitted, hand washing remains the gentler choice and gives you more control over the outcome.

Why does my cashmere sweater itch?

Itching usually comes from the coarser fibers found in lower-grade blends, not from the washing process. Pure, high-quality cashmere is typically soft against the skin. Washing in cool water with a gentle detergent can soften the fibers slightly, but sensitivity may persist depending on the knit quality.

How should you store cashmere for summer?

Fold the sweater and place it in a breathable cotton storage bag or a drawer with cedar blocks or lavender sachets. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture and invite moths, and never hang cashmere for long-term storage.