How To Remove A Stain From Your Cashmere Jumper
We all have cherished items in our wardrobe that we want to keep fresh and looking their best. Thankfully, there are numerous methods to keeping your cashmere in its best condition.
It is not always essential to clean your cashmere garments after each wear, but you may find a stain on your favourite cashmere no matter how careful you are. Luckily, you can remove stains from even the most delicate cashmere with careful cleaning.
We suggest avoiding soap or machine detergents, which can be too harsh for delicate cashmere and could make the stain worse.
This guide will help you to remove stains from your cashmere garments with the help of a range of specialised, eco-friendly cashmere care products, that we have developed in collaboration with New York brand The Laundress.
Quickly Removing Stains From Your Cashmere Jumper
These quick tips can help you confidently remove stains from your favourite cashmere garments. There are several ways to challenge tough stains from your jumper without damaging the delicate cashmere.
The most suitable method for removing common stains is to first run the garment under cool water, before adding a small amount of cashmere wash to the water and letting the item soak.
If you're looking for a specialised cashmere stain treatment, The Laundress Stain Solution works wonderfully. You only need one drop of the formula, which is unscented, non-toxic, and allergen-free, making it perfect for delicate garments and sensitive skin alike. It also works great on both old and new stains - simply add it to cold water and rub the fabric gently with the adjacent side and leave to soak. Repeat if necessary before washing your garment as normal with cashmere wash. Remember to avoid rubbing the garment too much, which can lead to holes developing.
For stubborn stains that can't be removed at home, you can take your cashmere items to a professional. However, if you're keen to hand wash your cashmere at home, read on to find out how to effectively combat the most frequent stains:
Removing Sweat Stains
Stains from perspiration or deodorant may not be the most pleasant to handle, but they are one of the most common stains on garments. There are a few handy tips to help you get your cashmere looking and smelling fresh again.
First, apply a specialist stain solution such as this one from The Laundress to the affected area and gently rub with the other side of the garment. Then, pour cold water onto the garment - we recommend doing this from height for maximum effect. Leave the garment to soak in the water. If you find that the stain hasn't completely gone, you may need to repeat the process until it has disappeared.
Once complete, you can wash your garment as normal with cashmere wash (read on below for our drying tips).
Cleaning Mud and Grass from Cashmere
If you've taken your cashmere jumper to the park, or picnic, or simply found mud and grass stains on your favourite item, try to remove the stains as quickly as possible. Leaving the stain for too long can result in it affecting the delicate cashmere fibres, potentially damaging the garment.
Gently remove any excess dirt from the material. Then dip a cloth into the Stain solution and dab the area taking care not to rub until the stain disappears. It's important to be gentle when doing this as you don't want the stain to spread.
If you find that the mud or grass stain is especially stubborn, leave the item to soak with a little more stain solution applied in cool. This should help to lift difficult stains. You can then wash your garment as normal.
Getting Rid of Pasta Sauce, Soup and More
Oily or dark stains like pasta sauce, soup or condiments are often the ones we dread most and can sometimes require extra effort to clean, but the secret is to treat the garment as soon as you can. Quickly rinse the cashmere in cold water, adding a few drops of cashmere wash or gentle detergent.
Leave the garment to soak in the cold water and cashmere wash mix until the stain has disappeared. A final wash with cold water should get rid of any last splashes of stain.
If there are stubborn traces of sauce left, you should use a stain solution such as this one from The Laundress to treat the affected area.
Once clear, lightly hand wash the garment as normal with cashmere wash.
Drying Your Cashmere
Many people are worried that their cashmere garment may be misshapen after washing. However by drying your cashmere properly, you can easily avoid this.
Place the garment on a towel, patting excess water out by rolling the towel up slowly. Using a fresh towel, lay the garment out and leave to dry flat, away from direct sunlight. To prevent the garment from stretching, you must avoid wringing it.
A final step in cashmere maintenance is correct storage. The best way to store your item is to place in a breathable cotton bag which can be zipped closed to keep your garments fresh and protected from moths. We stock a large and small storage bag to cater for all sizes of garment.
Removing Stains From Your Cashmere - Key Things to Remember
Dos:
- Treat the stain as soon as you can
- Use only a small amount of mild washing solution
- Be gentle when washing, drying and storing your cashmere clothes
- Don't use hot water - cold is always best
- Don't panic if the stain doesn't come out immediately, especially for darker stains like sauces. Let the garment soak in the water and detergent mix for as long as possible to get to work on the stain
- Don't use bleach - this will damage delicate garments
- Don't be tempted to hang up your garment to dry. This could result in the garment losing shape. Make sure you dry gently and store in a proper storage bag once dry
