March 16, 2017

Caring for Cashmere & Other Fine Wools

"Can you wash cashmere?" It's an age-old question that plagues many a cashmere-and-other-fine-wool-lover. The short answer is yes. And with a little guidance and the right supplies, you can achieve dry cleaner results from the comfort of your own laundry room.

If you recently bought a cashmere or merino sweater, then you most likely found a "dry clean only" tag sewn into the seam. Before taking it (and your wallet) to the cleaners, give hand washing a spin.

Supplies

Wash basin or large, clean sink
Delicates detergent, no-rinse formula (our faves: Eucalan and Soak)
1-2 Large white towels
Flat, moisture-safe surface for drying
Gleener Ultimate Fuzz Remover or Gleener On the Go.

1. Wash

Fill your wash basin or sink with tepid water and the recommended amount of detergent. Submerge your garment and gently squish the water through; let soak for 10 minutes. Here comes the fun part -- if you're using a no-rise formula, there's no need to rinse! Simply drain the water and gently squeeze any excess moisture from the garment -- never wring it or you risk stretching your garment out of shape.

2. Roll

Place the wet garment on a clean white towel and roll them together, gently squeezing as you go. To remove even more moisture, try one of our favorite hacks courtesy of the Yarn Harlot: place your roll on the floor and walk on it! Should you soak through the first towel, have a second one handy and repeat the process. The more moisture you remove, the faster your garment will dry.

3. Block & Dry

Unroll your garment onto a dry, flat surface. "Block" or gently mould your garment back into shape; this is how it will dry. For faster drying times, pick an area of the house with ample air circulation but away from any direct sources of heat.

4. Gleen

Once completely dry, finish your sweater spa treatment with a gentle "gleening." The Gleener Ultimate Fuzz Remover is like an exfoliator for your wardrobe; use it to remove pills and fuzz balls from your most treasured textiles -- even cashmere. Pay special attention to high friction areas like the bust, underarms, and sleeves.