CASHMERE
Cashmere – the Rolls Royce of wool.
Cashmere wool is made from the ultra-soft undercoat of Cashmere goats. Cashmere goats were originally bred in the northern Indian region of Cashmere, and the wool they produce is one of the world's most expensive textile fabrics. The goats have an extremely warm coat. Although their natural habitat is very cold, they have very little subcutaneous fat. Therefore, Cashmere wool is approximately four times warmer than other types of wool.
Today, most Cashmere wool comes from Inner Mongolia and China, but we still call it Cashmere wool. The wool can only be made from the winter coat, and since the goats only shed their winter coat once a year, Cashmere wool is very rare.
How to Wash and Care for Cashmere
Caring for your Cashmere clothing is actually easier than you think.
How often should I wash Cashmere?
Goats hardly wash themselves, yet they keep their fur clean. One of the many advantages of wool is that it is somewhat self-cleaning. Hang your clothes outside to air out, preferably overnight, after you've worn them. When a garment is dirty or has started to smell strange, even after you've aired it out – you know it's time to wash it. But only then!
Dry cleaning?
Many cashmere garments are labeled as dry clean only – and if they’ve become heavily stained – the dry cleaner is where you need to go. The stain removal treatment the dry cleaner uses is more effective than what you can achieve at home. However, regular dry cleaning takes a toll on the garment (and on the environment, not to mention!), so try to wash at home as much as possible.
Machine wash cashmere – yes!
If you have a modern washing machine, it should be equipped with a wool program or a hand wash program. These are especially gentle programs designed to resemble hand washing. In other words: the clothes will not be wrung while wet (the combination of heat and movement is what causes all wool to shrink) or alternating between hot and cold water (which also causes wool to shrink).
Always machine wash on the wool program and never at temperatures above 30°C. Select a short spin of 800 rpm or less to remove excess water.
Shouldn't a garment like this be hand washed?
The care label on many garments will instruct you to hand wash. And yes, if you have a very delicate garment, hand washing is your safest option. The downside is that when you hand wash, you rarely rinse out all the detergent residue.
Steam instead of ironing
A freshly washed cashmere sweater may be a little... misshapen. You can easily restore the sweater's shape by steaming it with a steamer. You can steam cashmere clothing in the same way you steam your other clothes; the steam is not harmful. You can also use an iron, but only on the lowest setting and never press the iron directly against the fabric. Use a cloth between the iron and the cashmere sweater to protect the fibers from being flattened.
A steamer will make the clothes regain their original shape and shine in a gentle and risk-free way.
SILK
Silk is a natural material with a lot of great properties. Its insulating properties keep you warm in cooler climates. Silk also transports moisture and is therefore perfect to wear on a hot summer day. All silk clothing is a dream to wear, but it does require some special care.
Storing silk clothes
Silk fabric is fragile and wears out easily. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you do not overcrowd your closet. Blouses and dresses made of silk are best stored hanging on sturdy wooden hangers and not on thin hangers that will cause unnecessary tearing.
Read the washing instructions
Some silk garments stain with water. Be sure to read the care instructions before washing. If the instructions say not to wash with water, take it to your nearest eco-friendly dry cleaner.
How to wash silk clothes
In general, wash your silk clothes as infrequently as possible, and when you do wash them, we strongly recommend hand washing. Silk clothes can also be washed on the wool cycle in your washing machine, but remember that machine washing can cause your silk clothes to lose shape and color. Learn to wash by hand.
Air often, wash less
Make it a habit to air your silk garments after use. This will make them feel and smell fresh again. Also try our Fabric Spray to freshen up your garments. Silk garments rarely need to be washed more than a few times a year, depending on how often you wear them. The fabric is naturally resistant to dirt and dust. But be quick to remove spills before they turn into stains.
Use an enzyme-free detergent
Silk fabrics are made from animal protein, and a regular enzyme-based detergent will dissolve the fabric, making it brittle. Instead, you should use a surfactant-based and environmentally friendly detergent like our Delicate Laundry Detergent, sold in the shop.
Wash on the wool cycle if you can't stand the thought of hand washing. Always use a laundry bag and never fill the machine more than half full. You can wash with wool, but remember to never mix colors as silk can bleed.
Wash at 30ºC or lower
Never wash silk at temperatures higher than 30°C. Most silk garments can be washed in a single spot at 40ºC on a regular cycle to remove a grease stain. However, we recommend being careful if you want to preserve the shine and colour of the fabric.
Hang to dry in the shade.
Silk dries quickly thanks to its ability to transport moisture. Avoid hanging your silk clothes in direct sunlight, as this can bleach the fabric. Also, remember to never tumble dry your silk clothes. Read more about sustainable drying methods here.
Stain treatment
Be quick to remove spills before they stain your clothes. Rinse with cold water and rub the stain gently (from the inside) with detergent or soap if necessary. Acetone or dry-cleaning turpentine can be used on grease stains. Be careful and test it on an inconspicuous spot before treating the stain, you don't want the chemical to ruin your fabric. The most important thing is to act immediately and not wait until your next wash day. Note that most stain removers available in stores should not be used on silk fabrics.
Steam your silk garments
Always steam silk garments to remove wrinkles. When ironing, you risk burning the fabric. The steam gently removes creases and wrinkles and adds shine to the fabric. The hot steam from a steamer also removes odors and kills bacteria.
And that's all you need to know about caring for silk. If you're someone who's not afraid to give your clothes some tender loving care, a silk garment is an investment that's made to last a lifetime.
