Wash cashmere only if its care label allows it, and then by hand: cold or barely lukewarm water, a detergent made for wool and cashmere, gentle pressing instead of rubbing, no wringing, and drying flat on towels, never in the dryer. If the label says do not wash, skip the water entirely. Air the throw regularly and take it to a dry cleaner when it needs a real clean.
That second case covers our own cashmere-merino throws, which are 90% merino wool and 10% cashmere: their label says do not wash. The hand-washing method below is for cashmere and cashmere blends whose label clearly allows it. The advice on pilling and storage applies to both.
Start with the care label
The label is the one instruction written for your particular throw. The symbols to look for:
- A washtub with a hand in it: hand wash only.
- A washtub with dots or a number: machine washable up to that temperature. One dot is the coolest setting.
- A crossed-out washtub: do not wash.
- A circle: dry clean. The letter inside tells the cleaner which solvents are safe.
- A crossed-out circle inside a square: do not tumble dry.
Cashmere blends vary. A cashmere-and-silk sweater and a cashmere-and-wool throw can carry different instructions, and a throw is far bigger and heavier than a sweater once it's wet. When the label and a general guide disagree, go with the label.
How to hand wash cashmere and cashmere blends
A clean sink is enough for a sweater or a scarf. A throw needs a bathtub.
- Fill the tub with cold or barely lukewarm water, no warmer than 86 °F (30 °C).
- Dissolve a small amount of wool and cashmere detergent in the water. Regular detergents often contain enzymes that attack protein fibers such as cashmere and wool, and bleach is out of the question.
- Put the throw in, press it gently under the water until it's soaked through, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Move it gently through the water with your hands. Press and squeeze; don't rub or scrub.
- Drain the tub and rinse in fresh water of the same temperature until no suds are left.
- Press the water out against the side of the tub. Never wring or twist.
- Roll the throw up in large, dry towels and press down to soak up more water. A throw may need two or three towels.
- Lay it flat to dry on fresh towels or a flat drying rack, away from heaters and direct sun. Ease it back into shape and turn it over once or twice until it's dry all the way through.
Wet cashmere and wool are heavy and stretch under their own weight, so lift the throw bundled in both arms rather than by a corner, and never hang it up wet. Some washable cashmere can go through a cold wool or hand-wash cycle in the machine with a low spin; do that only when the label says so.
What to avoid
Cashmere and wool fibers are covered in tiny scales. Warmth, moisture and friction make those scales lock together, and the fabric felts and shrinks. Felting is very hard to undo, so steer clear of:
- hot or warm water, and switching between warm and cold
- rubbing, scrubbing, wringing and twisting
- the dryer, even on low heat
- hanging the throw up while it's wet
- regular detergent with enzymes, bleach, and stain removers not made for wool
- drying on a radiator or heater, or in strong sun
Pilling: how to use a cashmere comb
Small balls of fiber, or pills, form where a throw rubs: on the armrest, where you usually sit, where the dog likes to settle. It's normal wear for fine fibers such as cashmere and merino, and it's easy to deal with:
- Lay the throw flat on a table. It should be dry.
- Hold the fabric taut with one hand.
- Run a cashmere comb over the pilled area in short, light strokes, in one direction.
- Clear the comb as you go, and stop once the surface is smooth.
Don't press hard or pick pills off with your fingers; that pulls out more fiber. An electric fabric shaver on a gentle setting works too. Keep it away from the fringes.
Our cashmere-merino throws: air them, then dry clean
Our cashmere-merino throws are 90% merino wool and 10% cashmere, woven in our own mill in Ukraine. Their label says do not wash, so the washing steps above don't apply to them. This is what does:
- Air the throw outdoors for a few hours now and then, out of direct sun and rain.
- Shake it out and brush it with a soft clothes brush, along the fibers.
- Blot spills right away with a clean cloth; don't rub.
- Comb off pills on well-used spots, as described above.
- When it needs a real clean, take it to a dry cleaner. The circle with a P on the label tells the cleaner which solvents are safe.
Some owners wash wool throws at home on a wool cycle anyway. With a throw labeled do not wash, that's at your own risk; if you decide to try, our guide on how to wash a wool blanket explains how to do it as gently as possible.
The throws come in herringbone, stripes and tartan, measure 55 × 79 in (140 × 200 cm) including 4 in (10 cm) fringes, and weigh 655 g (about 1.4 lb). You'll find them on our cashmere-merino throws (10% cashmere) page, though they're sold out in our US store right now. Our merino throws (80% merino wool, 20% nylon) are in stock and follow the same care routine.
How to store a cashmere-blend throw
- Clean and dry first: put it away only after airing or cleaning, and only when it's completely dry. Clothes moths go for wool that has been used and not cleaned.
- Fold it: fold it loosely instead of leaving it on a hanger for months, so it keeps its shape.
- Let it breathe: a cotton storage bag or a large pillowcase works better than plastic, which can trap moisture.
- Pick a cool, dry, dark spot: a closet shelf or a drawer, not a damp basement or a hot attic.
- Check on it: cedar blocks or lavender sachets help, and so does a look every month or two. Air it again before the first cold evening of fall.
FAQ
Can you put cashmere in the washing machine?
Only if the label allows machine washing, and then on a cold wool or hand-wash cycle with a low spin. If it says hand wash or do not wash, keep it out of the machine.
Does cashmere shrink in the wash?
It can. Warm water, sudden changes in temperature and rubbing felt the fibers and shrink the fabric. Cold water, gentle handling and drying flat keep that risk low.
How often should you clean a cashmere throw?
Rarely. Air it regularly, and clean it only when it's visibly dirty or still doesn't smell fresh after airing.
Can you dry clean a cashmere blend?
Yes, if the label shows the dry-cleaning circle. For our cashmere-merino throws (90% merino wool, 10% cashmere), dry cleaning is the way to give them a full clean.
