Luxury is a tough word to define. For some, it might mean sinking into a piping-hot bath at the end of the day. For others, it is embarking on a sun-soaked holiday in a far-flung destination, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. For us, luxury materialises in the form of a finely crafted cashmere knit to cloak you in warmth on a brisk morning.
Cashmere is one of the finest natural fibres available, which must be extracted with delicacy. Hence why the price of cashmere garments tends to teeter on the more expensive end of the scale.
Unlike everyday cotton pieces, which can be flung into the washing machine without much thought, cashmere calls for a more delicate process to ensure the longevity of your luxury garment.
How should you clean cashmere?
Cashmere doesn’t require regular cleaning. Most of the time, airing and combing are all that is needed to give your cashmere a quick revamp. Jennifer Angell, Customer Service Manager at Brora, explains: “When you do need to wash cashmere, it should be hand-washed in lukewarm water using a woollens hand-wash. Squeeze the suds gently through the fabric without ringing, rubbing or stretching. After draining the majority of the water out, the damp knit should be laid out flat, smoothed into its original shape and left to dry at room temperature away from radiators or sunlight. When completely dry you can press it lightly with a cool iron.”
If cared for properly, cashmere is likely to become softer and more sumptuous with age. The material is also biodegradable, adding a snug, sustainable touch to your winter wardrobe.
Discover the best tools to help care for your cashmere and preserve the luxurious pieces to be passed down for generations to come.
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Brora Cashmere Shampoo
Breathe new life into your favourite cashmere pieces with Brora’s cashmere shampoo. This carefully formulated product is free from harsh chemicals, meaning it will be extra gentle on both your skin and the finest cashmere garments. Use one capful per knit when a cashmere clean is really needed and relax into your supremely snug knit once dry.
Buy now £10.00, Bror
The Lab Co. Cashmere and Wool Laundry Wash 300ml
Tackling an array of delicate materials in one go? The Lab Co.’s Cashmere and Wool Laundry Wash is designed to revamp cashmere, merino, mohair and wool garments. For hand-washing use, add one or two capfuls to a bowl of cold water and soak for five minutes. Rinse the piece in cold water and lay out flat to dry. While you’re washing, enjoy a warming blend of cinnamon, myrrh and cedarwood tones that add to the all-round luxury cashmere experience.
Buy now £10.45, Amazon
N. Peal Cashmere Wash 50ml
N.Peal is one of our first ports of call for all things cashmere care. The brand stocks a myriad of cleaning tools specifically designed to rejuvenate cashmere. This eco-friendly wash has been exclusively developed by Clothes Doctor to be pH neutral. Thus, it nurtures sensitive, reactive skin rather than causes sensitivities. Inhale the subtle notes of Himalayan cedarwood and orange oil that offer olfactory bliss and a natural moth defence.
Buy now £14.00, N. Peal
Paul Smith + The Lab Co. Cashmere & Wool Care Kit
Another brilliant partnership between cashmere connoisseurs, this wool care kit is the brainchild of Paul Smith and The Lab Co. Inside the limited edition, vegan kit, you’ll find a cashmere laundry detergent for delicate hand or machine washes and a gentle mist spray. No harsh chemicals feature whatsoever, and are instead replaced by a non-toxic formula that radiates a comforting cinnamon and myrrh blend.
Buy now £20.00, Paul Smith
HUMDAKIN Wool and Cashmere Detergent
Give your cashmere staples a little extra love with HUMDAKIN. Featuring soothing ingredients inspired by Scandinavian nature, the hypoallergenic detergent softens clothing and protects colours. The product is set to last for up to 50 hand washes and champions a mindful approach to caring for our most prized pieces of clothing.
Buy now £20.00, Selfridges
N.Peal Cashmere Comb
If you are a frequent traveller, lugging around a bottle of cashmere cleaning detergent is far from ideal. Keep it simple and pack a small, portable cashmere comb to take with you wherever you go. Brush up your finery with the inexpensive piece and save the hand wash for when you arrive back home.
Buy now £6.00, N.Peal
Clothes Doctor Cashmere and Wool Care Kit
Kill two birds with one stone and face your wool and cashmere laundry piles head-on. Clothes Doctor’s Cashmere and Wool Care vegan kit consists of a bottle of specially formulated detergent, a cedarwood cashmere comb and a set of handy moth-repellent scent bags to ward off unwanted visitors. Faintly scented with enticing Himalayan cedarwood and orange oil, this kit will delight fashion-forward family members and friends who take pride in their luxury wardrobes.
Buy now £43.50, Clothes Doctor
Clothes/Lint Brush and Cashmere Comb
Keep a trusty brush on standby for when you need a quick cashmere spruce up. This brush can be used to clean cashmere, wool, velvet and suede, making it the perfect pick for pet owners or parents prone to muck. The lint brush bristles are made from wild boar hair that gently lifts fibres or hair from clothing, ensuring you look camera-ready at all times.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
N.Peal Cedar Balls
Moths, be gone! Ward off any cashmere-craving insects and place some cedar balls among your collection to prevent holes from appearing. A set of ten sweetly scented cedar balls will keep your cashmere in check for months to come.
Buy now £6.00, N.Peal
