A garment for life
Properly cared for, cashmere improves with age. Follow these four steps to ensure yours lasts a lifetime.
Washing
Always hand wash your cashmere in cool water (max 30 °C) using a purpose-made cashmere or delicates shampoo. Never wring or twist — instead, gently press the water through the fabric. A single soak of 5–10 minutes is enough; over-washing strips the natural lanolin that keeps cashmere soft.
Do
- Use a wool-specific or baby shampoo
- Turn the garment inside out
- Wash cool, max 30 °C
- Wash infrequently — airing is enough between wears
Don't
- Machine wash (even on a delicate cycle)
- Use regular laundry detergent
- Wring or twist the fabric
- Soak for more than 15 minutes
Drying
Lay your cashmere flat on a clean, dry towel and gently reshape to its original form. Roll the towel around the garment to absorb excess moisture, then unroll and lay flat again to air-dry. Always dry in the shade — direct sunlight can cause fading and fibre damage.
Do
- Lay flat on a clean towel
- Reshape while damp
- Dry in shade or indoors
- Allow 12–24 hours to dry fully
Don't
- Tumble dry — ever
- Hang to dry (stretches the knit)
- Dry in direct sunlight
- Use a radiator or direct heat
Storing
Cashmere should always be folded, never hung. Hanging distorts the knit structure over time. Store in breathable cotton bags — never plastic — to protect against moths while allowing the fibre to breathe. Add cedar balls or lavender sachets as a natural deterrent; never use mothballs (the chemicals degrade cashmere fibres).
Refreshing & Pilling
Between washes, hang your cashmere in a steamy bathroom to eliminate odours and restore softness. A light pass with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver will remove any pills — pilling is a natural property of natural fibres, not a defect, and reduces significantly after the first few wears.
The golden rules
Always
- Fold, never hang
- Air between wears
- Wash inside out, cool water
- Store with cedar or lavender
- Steam to refresh and soften
- Use a cashmere comb for pills
Never
- Machine wash or tumble dry
- Hang to dry or store
- Use standard detergent
- Store in plastic
- Iron directly on fibres
- Use bleach or fabric softener
Frequently asked
How often should I wash my cashmere?
Far less than you think. After each wear, air your piece for an hour before folding and storing. Wash only when genuinely soiled — typically every 5–10 wears for most people.
My cashmere is pilling. Is this a defect?
No. Pilling is a natural characteristic of fine fibres and is not a manufacturing defect. It indicates the fibre is alive and moving. Pills reduce significantly after the first few wears and can be removed with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver.
Can I steam cashmere?
Yes — light steaming is one of the best ways to refresh cashmere between washes. Hold the steamer 3–5 cm from the surface and never press the garment. The steam relaxes the fibres, eliminates light odours, and restores the natural drape.
What if a seam or stitch unravels?
Contact us at [email protected] and we will repair it. The Atelier Promise covers complimentary repairs and re-knitting for the life of the garment, regardless of where or when it was purchased.
How do I remove a stain?
Act quickly: blot (never rub) the stain with cool water and a small amount of cashmere shampoo. Work from the outside of the stain inward. For oil-based stains, a light dusting of talcum powder before washing can help. Avoid hot water — it sets stains and shrinks fibres.
We repair what we make
Every piece from Atelier Cashmere is covered by our lifetime repair and re-knitting promise. If a stitch ever gives way, we will restore it — for free, for life.
Contact the Atelier