How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater? | Keep It Soft

Hand-wash your cashmere sweater in cool water with a gentle wool detergent, then dry it flat to keep it soft.

The difference between a sweater that lasts a decade and one that pills after two seasons usually comes down to washing habits. Cashmere fibers are fine and delicate, so the goal isn’t deep cleaning — it’s gentle maintenance. You don’t need to wash cashmere after every wear. Most care experts suggest letting the sweater rest a day between wears and washing it after roughly three wears, since wool naturally sheds odors and wrinkles.

Hand-Washing Your Cashmere Sweater Step by Step

Hand-washing is the safest route unless the care label says otherwise, and it takes about ten minutes of active time. Start by filling a clean basin or sink with cool to lukewarm water — never hot, which shrinks and felts the fibers.

Add a small amount of detergent made for wool or cashmere, or a mild low-pH, enzyme-free option like baby shampoo. Swirl it in, then submerge the sweater and let it soak briefly. Gently press the suds through the fabric with your hands; don’t scrub, twist, or wring. Drain the basin and rinse in cool water until it runs clear, pressing rather than squeezing.

To remove excess water, roll the sweater in a dry towel and press down lightly. Then reshape it on a fresh, dry towel and leave it flat to air-dry, away from direct sun and heat sources. Hanging a wet cashmere sweater stretches it out of shape permanently.

If you’re buying your first sweater and want one that’s worth this care, our roundup of top-rated men’s cashmere sweaters on Amazon covers tested options that hold up well.

Can You Machine Wash Cashmere?

Machine washing cashmere works only if the care label explicitly allows it. Many modern cashmere garments do permit machine washing on a gentle cycle, but the label is the final authority — not the fiber content.

If the label gives the green light, turn the sweater inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. Set the machine to a cold, wool, delicate, or hand-wash cycle with the lowest spin speed available. Skip the fabric softener entirely; it coats the fibers and breaks down their natural softness over time. After the cycle finishes, remove the sweater promptly, reshape it, and dry it flat on a towel — never in the tumble dryer.

Here’s a quick comparison of the two methods:

Reading the Care Label Correctly

Most mistakes happen because the care label’s symbols get misread. The washtub symbol’s number tells you the maximum water temperature in Celsius — a “30” means cool water, not “any temperature.” A hand drawn inside the tub means hand-wash only, and a tub with an X through it means the garment must be dry-cleaned and never touched by water.

When in doubt, hand-washing in cool water with a mild detergent is the safest default for almost every cashmere garment. The one exception is a label that explicitly says dry clean only — that means water, even gentle hand-washing, can damage the garment’s structure or special finishes.

Common Cashmere Washing Mistakes

Most cashmere damage comes down to a handful of avoidable habits. Wringing or twisting wet cashmere snaps the delicate fibers; hanging it wet stretches the sweater’s body and shoulders permanently; hot water shrinks and felts the fabric; and fabric softener leaves a residue that makes the sweater feel less soft over time.

The good news: cashmere is forgiving if you follow the basics. Wash it only when it needs it, use cool water and a mild detergent, press out moisture instead of wringing, and dry flat. A sweater treated this way keeps its softness and shape for years — and it’s far less effort than replacing a ruined one.