Cashmere (cachemire, from the more traditional French spelling, and cashmere, in English, or even kashmir, Kashmere, cashmere, “cashmere”, kascmir) , also known as the "fiber of kings" , is known throughout the world and appreciated since ancient times.
But why is it so famous? Let's find out together.
The 10 most important characteristics of Cashmere.
- Cashmere is a fibre of natural origin,
- Cashmere is a bright, soft and shiny fibre,
- Cashmere is very soft to the touch, one of the softest fibers,
- Cashmere is one of the most thermoregulatory fibres that keeps you warm and avoids sudden changes in temperature,
- Cashmere has a strong thermal power, which is why it is a versatile fibre suitable for both cold and warm seasons,
- Cashmere is antistatic, it keeps electrostatic fields and dust away, so no more electric hair,
- Cashmere felts less than wool,
- Cashmere does not irritate the skin, on the contrary, it pampers it with every movement,
- Cashmere is one of the most eco-sustainable fibres on the market, if treated with care, it can be used for years,
- Cashmere is perfect for every season, but above all for every occasion.
Where cashmere is born, how it is obtained and how it is processed.
Cashmere is a natural fiber obtained from the collection of the fleece of goats, commonly called cashmere goats.
They are usually raised in Asian countries, such as Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Türkiye and India.
The most valuable cashmere in the world actually comes from Inner Mongolia in China, as it is distinguished by the high fineness of its fibres (14 – 15 µ), their length and uniformity.
This fiber is very expensive, not only because of its characteristics, but also because its harvest requires a lot of time and sacrifice, in fact, these goats are followed by their shepherds all year round on a transhumance path.
The harvest takes place only twice a year through combing of the fleece.
Storage, use and maintenance.
To best preserve a sweater or any other cashmere garment and enjoy its beauty and softness for longer, just adopt a few small precautions.
How to best store a cashmere sweater.
One of the best tips is to never wear it for two consecutive days, but let it rest in the air before using it again.
At the end of the cold season, it's a good idea to store it in a laundry bag with a special moth repellent. Moths are incredibly fond of this fiber, but don't be alarmed; simply open the closet for a full day at least once a month will do the trick. Moths hate sunlight and fresh, clean air, preferring dark spaces protected from drafts.
How to wash cashmere garments and care for them after each use.
Cashmere requires care and attention to best preserve its characteristics and beauty over time.
First of all, if your cashmere gets stained, it's best to act as soon as possible.
Avoid wetting the garment with cold water or rubbing it, as this could damage it and allow dirt to penetrate further into the fibre.
It's best to immediately trust a dry cleaner who will proceed more professionally, with a dry cleaning that will eliminate even the most stubborn stains.
If, on the other hand, you want to try removing the stain at home, you can soak it in warm water with a detergent for delicate fabrics and rub the stain carefully.
How to wash a cashmere scarf
Have you recently purchased a scarf or stole? Made of cashmere and you're wondering how to machine wash them or whether it's better to do it by hand?
In reality, neither option is particularly suitable, even though cashmere is a water-compatible yarn.
If you have never washed a cashmere stole , it would be best to avoid hand or machine washing.
Washing cashmere is a very delicate operation and involves a series of specific steps, the use of suitable and professional products, and following precise precautions.
So, how do you wash cashmere stoles and scarves?
To avoid the risk of ruining your garment with incorrect washing and to maintain its beauty and softness unaltered, our advice is to proceed once or twice a season with a dry cleaning , by contacting a service dry cleaners .
Due to the extreme delicacy of cashmere, washing the garments in water could cause them to lose their shape . to shrink , felt or lose their original color. The color could also be compromised. shine and softness of the yarn.
Another reason why we recommend having cashmere stoles and scarves washed by a specialized laundry is the importance of the delicate drying phase, which, if performed properly, allows you to preserve the splendid characteristics of this precious yarn.
Drying your clothes yourself can lead to twisting, rubbing, or wringing the garment, exposing it to direct light and heat. It's also best to avoid using a dryer.
In general, products such as cashmere scarves or stoles They do not require frequent washing , unless they have specific stains.
For these reasons, after wearing the scarf or stole you will simply need to let it air out before putting it away in the closet or wearing it again .
For the actual washing, it will be sufficient to entrust, once or twice a season, your cashmere scarves or stoles to a trusted dry cleaner , who will proceed with the dry cleaning using specific professional products.
Only in this way can you be sure of preserving the beauty and refinement of the noble fibres used for your cashmere garments.
Washing cashmere sweaters
Cashmere sweaters, on the other hand, can be washed at home, as long as you take the right precautions.
To proceed with hand washing, simply immerse the garment in a laundry basin filled with warm water in which a small quantity of delicate wool detergent has previously been dissolved. Avoid leaving the sweater to soak for more than 5 minutes to prevent the color from fading. and, once the washing is complete, simply press it gently without never twist, rub or squeeze it .
How to wash cashmere in the washing machine.
After checking the label to see if your cashmere sweater is machine washable, we recommend following these instructions:
- Place the items in a underwear container or pillowcase,
- use a small amount of specific delicate detergent,
- select a wool program that does not require a temperature higher than 30°, that can exclude the spin cycle or limit it to 400 rpm.
How to recognize the authenticity of a cashmere yarn.
- A vivid color is a clear sign of a high-quality cashmere garment.
- Rub the garment against your cheek or caress it with your hand to experience the unique softness that cashmere provides compared to other wools and natural fibers. Cashmere fibers owe their softness to their extremely fine diameter, which can be as small as 15 microns, as well as their irregular shape that allows them to adhere to each other, thus avoiding the coarse, rough feel typical of other fabrics.
Cashmere is naturally associated with autumn and winter, used extensively to create high-quality clothing and accessories such as sweaters, cardigans and scarves, it is particularly suited to the seasonal wardrobe.
So all we can do is recommend you take a look at our shop to discover the softness of our cashmere garments !