Cashmere

[iris lilies]

A stupid thing I have been lusting over lately is cashmere lounging outfits, pants and tops. I know that cashmere is not part of my lifestyle. I will not have it dry cleaned, I just do not do that.

So to scratch this itch I bought 2 items on eBay, both used items, each about $25. Frivolous waste of money no doubt. I wonder how much I will regret this. One is 100% cashmere, the other is mostly silk with a bit of cashmere.

Do any of you own cashmere items and wash them in a machine?

[Alan]

I was banned from using our washing machine back around 1980 after washing and drying my wife's cashmere sweater. She still reminds me of that whenever I act like I know what I'm doing.

[catherine]

I do not do cashmere, either, for the reasons you stated--cashmere is a little too expensive for me--I would worry about ruining it, and, like you, I wouldn't dry clean it.

I was going to suggest the advice below anyway, but then I found this article in Real Simple (https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing-care/how-care-cashmere) that exactly corroborated what I do. I've used this for regular woolens, so I don't know why cashmere should be any different. Read the whole article for machine washing instructions. As for the hand washing detergent, I still use Woolite or Ivory Snow.


Hand Wash

Better yet, wash your cashmere by hand. Cashmere is quite delicate, and hand washing helps prevent damage. Mix a mild detergent or a baby shampoo with cool or lukewarm water, and let your sweater soak for about five minutes before rinsing clean.

Dry It

To dry, lay the wet cashmere on a towel on a flat surface. Don’t wring it out—that can cause the fibers to stretch. Instead, carefully roll up the towel and cashmere item together (like a jelly roll), starting from the end closest to you. This will gently squeeze out any excess water.
Unroll the towel and lift the item off, carefully bringing it back to its original shape. Lay it flat on another dry towel to let it air dry completely.

[iris lilies]

I was banned from using our washing machine back around 1980 after washing and drying my wife's cashmere sweater. She still reminds me of that whenever I act like I know what I'm doing.
That was a clever move when you think about it.

[herbgeek]

I have a couple off second hand cashmere sweaters (thrift store) and wash in the machine on gentle, then dry flat.

[Alan]

That was a clever move when you think about it.The total ban was lifted after I retired, now I'm just banned from laundering her leggings.

[jp1]

I was banned from using our washing machine back around 1980 after washing and drying my wife's cashmere sweater. She still reminds me of that whenever I act like I know what I'm doing.

I once washed SO's cashmere sweater. After that it was way too small for him. I now have a lovely cashmere sweater that fits me great!

[ApatheticNoMore]

Yes I've washed, and yes they've shrunk, no more cashmere for me ever pretty much.

[Alan]

I once washed SO's cashmere sweater. After that it was way too small for him. I now have a lovely cashmere sweater that fits me great!In my case our daughter was a toddler at the time and the sweater was too small for her.

[rosarugosa]

I've washed my cashmere sweaters in mesh bags on gentle cycle and hung to dry with no adverse effects. I just use regular liquid detergent, usually Market Basket store brand or Purex.

[JaneV2.0]

I've eliminated 100% wool and cashmere, save for one sweater, because I've lost too many items to voracious moths. Too bad, because I like both.

[beckyliz]

I once washed SO's cashmere sweater. After that it was way too small for him. I now have a lovely cashmere sweater that fits me great!
That's using the old smarticles.

[Gardnr]

I've eliminated 100% wool and cashmere, save for one sweater, because I've lost too many items to voracious moths. Too bad, because I like both.

I've had cedar in my closets since I was 10. No wool issues. When we bought this housein 1991, as soon as we had cash, hubster and I spent a day putting cedar in our bedroom closets and linen closet.

I've actually never seen a moth hole!

Easy enough to buy a strip of cedar and simply lay it against the wall in a closet. It doesn't take alot!

[Tybee]

That's a good idea about the cedar. We had a cedar closet growing up but I never thought how easy it would be to make one. I also had a cedar chest.

IL, I love cashmere. If I ever lose this dumb weight, the first thing I will buy is a new cashmere sweater.

I just wash mine in the bathtub and reshape and dry them on towels. I did that all through college, it's no big deal.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I found my 2 cashmere sweaters and they still fit despite shrinkage amazingly enough. So I'll keep, although they will do me no good now as we go into summer. But still doubt I'd bother buying cashmere again, too fiddly.

[Greg44]

I can't even think of cashmere without recalling the hilarious Seinfeld episode...but I digress.:laff: