Anyone had success with hand washing cashmere that is dry clean only?

chicken_mollie

GIRLPOWER wrote:

Many thanks...very suprised to find no horror stories:T

Will hand wash it tomorrow and let you know how I got on.

Only have one more question before I brave it.. Would you use fabric conditioner before you rince it?

Yes, always use conditioner as this helps to take creases out as well as making it soft. Another way of squeezing out the water is by rolling your cashmere in a towel to take out excess water. Then give it a good shake to get it as flat as possible before placing flat onto another dry towel. I do mine in a cold wash, light spin then onto a flat towel.

Brooktop

Like most blokes, I never used to read lablels and just shoved everything in the machine on 40c non-fast coloureds, thinking that was a gentle wash - but I've shrunk a number of woollen jumpers that way. Now I live with my faincee I can't afford to ruin hers too!

I have a client that makes soap flakes so I now handwash using soap flakes for anything I'm slightly worried about. I must admit, I haven't tried cashmere, but I have on Merino wool and they've been ok. You can find out more at Dri-Pak's website, at www.soap-flakes.co.uk . If you don't get your question answered, I could always ask the client directly if you like.

grunnie

I have several cashmere jumpers and cardis ( live too near Johnstons in Elgin) love their clearance sale - just put them in the washing machine when they come out lay them flat on a towel to dry. If you handwash them use shampoo and don't spin or twist them -lay them flat on a large towel and roll them up so the towel absorbs all the water then change to a dry towel and leave them flat overnight. :T

bambam_2

Advice given to me from someone who works in cashmere industry is to use a mild liquid soap (baby shampoo etc) and wash in tepid water. Also RINSE in tepid water, for some reason very cold water can cause it to shrink. Gently squeeze out excess water then wrap in a bathtowel and leave to absorb the rest then reshape and dry flat.

The best advice though is to wash as little as possible so make him wear a bib!

Thrifty_Chick

Just to say I always hand wash my cashmere and it has always been OK. I use cool water Woolite and soak a bit. Wash inside out. Rinse them and then spin them in the machine. I then hang them over a chair to air dry! I have to add that inadvertently one of my sweaters was left after spinning in the washing machine recently and was then washed again at 60 degrees for at least half an hour. I nearly died...retrieved it and it looks the best it has ever done!!!!: Don't think I'll risk it again but it makes me even more confident to hand wash! By the way all my sweaters say Dry Clean Only.
Good luck!

Ytaya

Don't use Woolite! It's actually very bad for wool items. Your best bet is to use a mild shampoo (wool is just sheep hair, after all) in a sink of warm (not hot) water. Squish it around a bit and let it soak, then rinse it thoroughly.

A good way to remove the excess water after rinsing is to lay the sweater out flat on a towel and roll it up, towel and all, like a swiss roll - then jump up and down on it! Lay the sweater flat to dry, gently tugging it into the shape you want.

Wool dislikes agitation and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid those and you'll be fine.

sashacat

I always wash my cashmere jumpers in the washing machine on gentle with whatever washing powder I'm using at the time,...usually supermarkets own brand. I've been doing this for years ever since one of the kids accidentally put one of them in the washing machine and it was fine. Jusr reshape and dry flat....I usually lie them on the floor on a towel in the spare room.

welf_man

I have several Tesco cashmere jumpers which have been carefully handwashed and dried flat - the shape is perfect but the bobbling is terrible!

Does anyone know how to prevent further problems?

Thanks,

Mel.

ericthekidstoner

what about virgin wool which is "hand wash only"...

has anyone tried dry cleaning that?

I have a black virgin wool jumper and am nervous hand washing it

freecycler

Cashmere is great but you do not need to dry it flat if you have a proper drying frame. I use one of these which was designed and patented by a cashmere designer. It is magic !!
You could email to cashmeredry@ntlworld.com and they could help you.

:j