The Art of Cashmere Care

Cashmere is designed to be worn and enjoyed, not kept aside for best. With the right care, it softens over time, holds its shape, and becomes part of your everyday wardrobe. The great news is that well cared for cashmere doesn't just last a season. It can be worn, loved, and passed on for generations.

Looking after it isn't complicated. It's simply a rhythm, a few small, considered steps that fit easily into how you already care for your clothes. From the moment you bring your first piece home, through washing, drying, and storage, here's how to keep cashmere at its best.

When you first bring cashmere home

There's often a temptation to keep new cashmere untouched, saved for a special occasion, stored in a safe place to prevent from teenagers borrowing without asking and returning inside out!

In reality, it benefits from being worn.

Natural fibres respond to movement. Wearing your knit helps the fibres settle, softening and relaxing into their final shape.

After the first few wears, you may notice light pilling or bobbling. This is completely normal for knitwear so don't panic. Poor quality cashmere will continue to pill and become very thin over time because the fibres are short and therefore become lose and pill more easily. N.Peal only uses the longest, finest fibres that will pill initially but once settled, pilling will reduce significantly.

Step One: Gently remove pilling

Pilling tends to appear where there is friction: under the arms, along the sides, or at the cuffs.

It isn't a flaw or poor quality. It's simply loose fibres gathering on the surface. Think of it as your cashmere breaking in, much like a new pair of shoes which require a little wearing in to soften the leather.

Using a cashmere comb, you can gently lift these pills away without damaging the knit. Always comb lightly, working in one direction, and only when needed. Aggressive combing may lead to the fabric wearing thin so a gentle touch is all that is required.

Over time, pilling reduces naturally as the shorter fibres are removed.

You can use an electric fabric shaver however to avoid the risk of threads being caught, we recommend taking the time to treat your cashmere with a manual cashmere comb.

Remember to always de-pill before washing or the fibres can get a little matted.

Step Two: Treat marks early

Small marks are easier to deal with when addressed quickly. We won't ask how the red wine or chocolate got there!

A dedicated stain solution helps lift marks without disturbing the surrounding fibres. Gently dab, rather than rub, and allow the product to do the work.

Keeping a stain remover as part of your routine means you can handle spills as they happen, rather than waiting until the next wash.

Step Three: Washing, less often, more carefully

Cashmere doesn't need frequent washing. In fact, it rather prefers you didn't fuss.

In many cases, airing between wears is enough. But when it is time, a gentle wash will help preserve both the softness and the structure of the knit. Before you wash your garment though, it's always worth checking the care label, some of our cashmere garments have leather trims and are labelled as dry clean only, in which case, keep them away from water.

To hand wash: Fill a basin with cool water, dilute 1-2 capfuls of cashmere wash, then place your garments in and submerge. Gently agitate the water, leave for around 30 min. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and avoid twisting or wringing.

Cashmere can in theory be machine washed (most of us at N.Peal use this method for convenience). However, this very much depends on your washing machine as cashmere needs to be washed on a wool cycle, with a low spin and in cold water. Unless you're 100% confident that your machine is suitable, always hand wash.

Step Four: Drying with care

Drying is where many garments meet their end. Cashmere included, if you're not careful.

After washing, gently press out excess water. Then lay the garment flat on a clean towel, roll it up softly, and press to absorb moisture.

Once unrolled, reshape the knit and lay it flat on a dry surface, away from direct heat or sunlight, a clothes drying rack is perfect for this. The key here is to avoid hanging at any stage, as the weight of water can stretch the fibres and the garment.

Step Five: Keep it fresh between wears

Cashmere shouldn't be washed after every use, we find that washing after every 5-10 wears is perfect.

Instead, refreshing pieces between wears helps maintain their softness while extending time between washes.

A light spritz with a knitwear mist, can revive the fibres and keep garments feeling fresh. Allow pieces to air afterwards before returning them to your wardrobe.

Step Six: Store thoughtfully

When it comes to storing cashmere, the aim is to protect both its shape and its surroundings.

Always fold knitwear rather than hanging it. This helps maintain its structure over time.

Store pieces clean, in breathable conditions, with space to rest rather than being tightly packed together. A locked drawer is optional, but not unreasonable, particularly if you share a home with someone who considers your wardrobe an extension of theirs.

Cotton storage bags are ideal for longer-term storage, allowing fibres to breathe while protecting them from dust and moths as moths are naturally repelled by cotton.

For added protection, place a few cedar balls within drawers or storage bags. They offer a natural way to deter moths while keeping everything fresh. Moths, it turns out, have excellent taste. Don't give them the opportunity. See here for everything you need to know to deter moths and protect your cashmere.

A natural routine

Caring for cashmere isn't about doing everything at once. It's about small habits that become second nature.

A gentle comb when needed. Thoughtful washing. Careful drying. A quick refresh between wears. Proper storage at the change of season.

Taken together, these steps allow your knitwear to age well, becoming softer, more familiar, and more personal over time.

Because well cared for cashmere doesn't just last. It becomes something worth keeping, and worth teaching the next generation to look after properly. Preferably before they help themselves to it.

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A simple guide to caring for cashmere

1. Wear and enjoy it
Cashmere benefits from movement. With wear, the fibres settle and soften naturally.

2. Remove pilling gently
Use a cashmere comb to lift loose fibres. Light pilling is completely normal, and reduces over time.

3. Treat marks early
A dedicated stain solution helps lift small marks without disturbing the knit. Dab gently, don't rub.

4. Wash carefully, not often
When needed, hand wash in cool water using a specialist cashmere wash. Avoid twisting or wringing.

5. Dry flat, never hang
Press out water with a towel, reshape, and lay flat to dry. Hanging can stretch the fibres.

6. Refresh between wears
A light knitwear mist helps keep garments fresh without over-washing.

7. Store with care
Fold rather than hang. Use breathable cotton storage bags and add a few cedar balls for natural protection.

Care that lasts

Well looked after, cashmere doesn't just hold its quality. It improves with time, becoming softer, more familiar, and more personal.

It's the kind of piece you return to again and again and one that can be passed on, season after season, generation after generation.