Care & Maintenance

Avoid overwashing

Frequent washing can reduce natural loft and increase surface wear. Airing and resting are often sufficient between light wears.

Use condition rather than a fixed wash count

After several light wears, washing may be appropriate, but there is no universal number for every cashmere garment. Airing and resting are often sufficient when the piece remains clean and fresh.

Before storage

Garments should be clean before long-term storage because invisible oils or food traces can attract insects.

Prepare the wash bath correctly

Use cool or lukewarm water as permitted by the care label and fully disperse a small amount of wool-safe detergent before immersing the garment. Avoid conventional biological detergents, bleach and fabric softener unless specifically approved for the product.

Wash and rinse with minimal movement

Press water gently through the knit. Do not scrub, twist or soak for longer than necessary. Rinse in cool water at a similar temperature to the wash bath while supporting the garment’s full weight.

Sudden temperature change, pulling or unsupported lifting can encourage felting, distortion or stretching.

Remove water safely

Lift with both hands, place the garment on a clean absorbent towel and press out moisture. Do not wring or hang the wet garment. Transfer it flat to the drying surface.

Control agitation, temperature and spin

Excessive agitation, heat and high-speed spinning can shrink, felt or distort fine animal-fibre knitwear. A protective mesh bag can reduce snagging, but it does not make an unsuitable wash programme safe.

Use only suitable settings

Select cool water, wool cycle and wool-safe detergent. Remove the garment immediately after the cycle.

Follow the approved drying instruction

After an approved machine-wash cycle, remove the garment promptly and follow the care label. For cashmere and many fine knits, reshaping and flat drying is commonly appropriate; tumble drying should only be used where the finished garment has been specifically tested and labelled for it.

Reshape before drying

Lay the garment on a clean, dry towel or mesh surface and gently return seams, neckline, body and sleeves to the intended shape.

Avoid uncontrolled heat and light

Dry according to the garment care label, normally away from direct heat and prolonged strong sunlight. Radiators and unapproved tumble drying can cause shrinkage, felting, distortion or colour change.

Turn when necessary

For heavy pieces, replace the wet towel and turn carefully once the first side has partially dried.

Steam at a distance

Use gentle steam without pressing the iron plate directly onto the knit. Keep the garment supported and allow moisture to disperse.

Protect texture

Ribs, cables, brushed surfaces and bouclé should not be compressed. If pressing is necessary, use low heat and a protective cloth.

Allow the piece to settle

After steaming, lay the garment flat until cool and dry before wearing or storing.

Air briefly after wear

Where appropriate, place the garment flat or on a broad, supportive hanger for a short airing period away from direct heat, strong sunlight and damp conditions, then return it to folded storage once fully dry.

Remove surface debris gently

Use a soft lint roller or garment brush with low pressure. Avoid strong adhesive tapes that pull fibres.

Rotate garments

Avoid wearing the same knit repeatedly without rest, especially in high-friction areas.

Pilling is not a single quality indicator

Fibre length, yarn twist, surface finish, garment construction and wearer friction all influence pilling. Some initial pilling can occur even in high-quality cashmere.

High-friction zones

Underarms, side seams, cuffs and areas rubbing against bags or outerwear are most affected.

Surface behaviour changes with wear

Some loose surface fibre may reduce after early wear and appropriate care, but pilling performance varies with fibre characteristics, yarn construction, finishing, garment design and use. Persistent or excessive pilling should be assessed against the product specification.

Choose a controlled method

Use a suitable cashmere comb, fabric comb or other garment-safe de-pilling tool appropriate to the knit. Support the garment on a flat surface and avoid catching stitches, seams or raised structures.

Use minimal pressure

Move lightly in one direction and focus only on affected zones. Repeated aggressive combing removes useful fibre.

Limit frequency

De-pill only when needed. Surface behaviour may become more settled after initial wear and appropriate care, but this varies by fibre, yarn construction, finish and use.

Blot, never rub

Use a clean white cloth to absorb liquid. Rubbing drives the stain deeper and disturbs the surface.

Avoid universal stain-removal recipes

Different stains require different treatment. Do not saturate, scrub or apply household solvents without confirming suitability. For valuable, strongly coloured, embellished or structured garments, specialist cleaning is the safer route when the stain is uncertain.

Test first

Any cleaning method should be tested in an inconspicuous area. Difficult stains should be referred to a knitwear specialist.

Remove excess without spreading

Blot or lift excess material gently without rubbing. An absorbent powder may be suitable for some oil stains, but it should first be tested for colour and surface compatibility and removed carefully.

Follow the garment-specific care route

If the care label permits washing, use the approved gentle method after preliminary treatment. Valuable or persistent stains are better referred to a professional cleaner experienced with cashmere and fine knitwear.

Avoid heat

Heat can set oil and food residues. Do not iron or tumble dry before the stain is removed.

Coffee, tea and wine

Blot excess liquid promptly. Where the care label permits wet cleaning, a controlled cool-water treatment may be appropriate, but avoid rubbing or repeatedly saturating the knit.

Makeup and pigmented stains

Lift excess product carefully and avoid spreading pigments across the surface. Because cosmetics vary widely in oil, wax and pigment content, persistent stains should be handled by a specialist.

Know when to stop

If colour remains or the stain is spreading, stop and consult a specialist cleaner.

Fold rather than hang

Heavy and fine cashmere can stretch at the shoulders when left on hangers. Fold neatly with minimal compression.

Keep the storage area clean

Drawers and shelves should be dry, smooth and free from rough surfaces or fragrance transfer.

Avoid overcrowding

Compression creates creases and friction. Allow enough space for the garment to rest.

Store only when clean and dry

Body oils, food traces and moisture can attract insects or cause odour and staining.

Choose clean, protective storage

Use a clean garment bag, pouch, drawer or box that protects the knit from dust and pests without trapping residual moisture. Avoid prolonged storage in unsuitable plastic packaging, particularly if the garment is not completely dry.

Inspect periodically

Check stored pieces during the season, refold along different lines and replace deterrents as needed.

Why clean storage matters

Larvae are attracted to fibres carrying body oils, food residues and organic debris. Clean garments are less attractive.

Do not rely on fragrance alone

Cedar or lavender may be used as supplementary deterrents, but they do not replace cleaning, inspection and physical storage control. Any product placed near knitwear should be used according to its instructions and should not stain or damage the garment.

Respond to signs quickly

Isolate affected garments, inspect nearby items and consult a specialist for cleaning or repair.

Pack folded

Use a soft pouch and avoid placing heavy or hard objects directly on the garment.

Refresh on arrival

Unpack promptly, air the garment and use light steam at a distance if needed.

Rotate during long trips

Alternate wears and allow garments to rest to reduce pilling and odour accumulation.

Do not cut an intact loop

Cutting can turn a simple snag into a hole or ladder. A minor intact loop may sometimes be eased carefully toward the reverse, but delicate, fine-gauge, open or valuable knitwear is better handled by an experienced repair specialist.

Redistribute tension

Gently ease nearby stitches so the pulled loop is absorbed back into the surrounding structure.

Seek specialist help when needed

Large snags, broken yarn or open structure should be repaired professionally.

Repair methods

Swiss darning, re-knitting or fine invisible mending can rebuild damaged loops with matching yarn.

Avoid bulky household fixes

Large knots, thick thread and adhesive patches can distort the knit and remain visible.

Act early

Small holes can spread with wear and washing. Stop using the garment until repaired.

Use recognised care instructions

Depending on the tested garment, care directions may address washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional textile care. Symbols and wording should follow the relevant market standard rather than being selected from a generic template.

Base the label on the finished product

Fibre composition alone does not determine the complete care instruction. Knit structure, colour, trims, embellishment, lining, finishing and dimensional stability can all affect the final label.

Clarity and consistency

Written wording and symbols should agree. Buyer, factory and testing requirements should be aligned before labels are printed.

Longevity begins with appropriate maintenance

Washing only when needed, using suitable temperatures and detergents, air or flat drying as instructed, repairing damage early and storing garments correctly can reduce avoidable wear and resource use over the product life.

Protect the original construction

Correct care preserves density, dimensions, seams, surface and handfeel—the same qualities established during production.

Build confidence through education

Clear aftercare guidance helps customers use premium knitwear with confidence rather than treating it as too fragile to wear.