Cashmere Care in Australia
A good cashmere jumper is not as delicate as people fear. It needs gentle handling, a little attention once a season, and somewhere dry to rest. This page is the short version, with a table for each question. The details sit in longer guides, linked where they are needed, so you do not have to read them all.
Always follow the care label on your own garment first.
What we put on our own garments
This is the care instruction on our product pages, and everything else here is detail on it:
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool and cashmere wash, or dry clean. Gently squeeze out the water, never wring or twist. Roll in a towel, then dry flat in the shade to keep its shape. Do not tumble dry. Store folded, not hung.
How often should I wash it?
Less often than you think. Fine cashmere breathes, and airing a jumper overnight is usually enough after an afternoon's wear.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Worn for an afternoon, no marks or smell | Air it flat or on a padded hanger overnight, then fold it. |
| Looks tired or smells of the day | Hand wash. Steps in How to Wash Cashmere at Home. |
| End of the cool season | Wash or dry clean once, dry completely, then store. See How to Store Cashmere Over Summer. |
| Spill or stain | Dab, do not rub, and wash soon. Oily or set-in stains: take it to a dry cleaner who knows knitwear. |
Which garment, which method
| Garment | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jumper, pullover | Hand wash, or dry clean | Dry flat, fold to store. |
| Scarf, wrap | Hand wash, or dry clean | Press the water out, never wring. Dry flat. |
| Long cardigan, lined or structured piece, poncho | Dry cleaning is the safer choice | If you do wash, support the full weight when lifting it. |
| Cashmere and silk or wool blends | As the label says; usually the same gentle hand wash | Blends are listed on each product page. |
| Silk-mix qipao | Dry clean to keep the sheen and the shape; or hand wash gently in cold water with a mild silk detergent | Do not wring, twist or bleach. Hang to dry in the shade. Cool iron on the reverse side. Store hung in a breathable garment bag. |
| Australian wool scarves and shawls | Follow the care label on the scarf. |
What goes wrong, and where to read about it
| Problem | Short answer | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| Small balls on the surface (pills) | Normal on soft knits. Lift them with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver on a flat surface; do not pull by hand. | |
| Stiff or dull after washing | Usually leftover detergent. Rinse again. | Washing guide |
| Shrunk or stretched | Reshape while damp and dry flat. Heavy felting cannot be undone. | Washing guide |
| Small holes after storage | Likely moths. Wash or dry clean, then check the shelf. | Storage guide |
| A pulled thread | Do not pull or cut it. A snag can usually be eased back into the knit from the inside with a blunt needle. |
A year of cashmere in Melbourne
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Autumn (March to May) | Take your knits out, air them for a day, and check for creases or holes. |
| Winter (June to August) | Wear, air overnight, wash only when needed. Rotate your jumpers so none gets all the friction. |
| Spring (September to November) | Last wash of the season, de-pill, dry completely, then fold away. |
| Summer (December to February) | Look at stored pieces once a month. Light cashmere-silk pieces can stay in use in air-conditioned rooms and cool evenings. |
Questions
If you are unsure about a piece you bought from us, ask us in the shop at The Glen or ring +61 403 595 736.