Known for being one of the softest and warmest fibres in the world, cashmere makes the perfect investment for the cooler seasons.
Not only that, but cashmere can last forever – that is, providing it’s properly cared for! Let us tell you how, while showing you some of our favourite No. Eleven cashmere pieces.
What is Cashmere Made From?
Cashmere Blend Longline Coatigan – No. Eleven – £139
Cashmere is a type of wool found on cashmere goats. It’s obtained from the goat by hand-combing, (which can take weeks!), before being cleaned, dyed and spun into yarn to create the luxurious fabric we know and love.
This time-consuming process is part of the reason as to why cashmere can be expensive. Not only that, but its longevity – cashmere is designed to last, therefore you won’t be buying a new cashmere jumper every season, as you most likely would with a bobbled polyester blend.
However, as with any natural fabrics, cashmere has its downfalls. If not washed and dried correctly, cashmere can lose its colour and shape, and if not stored correctly, can be the target of a disastrous moth infestation. We’ll go into all this shortly.
How to Machine Wash Cashmere
Of course, the most intelligent thing to do before you wash your cashmere is to revert back to the clothing label. Often, it will tell you to head to a dry cleaners, but luckily for you, a great deal of the cashmere we have on offer at BrandAlley is actually machine washable on a cool, inside-out wash.
Cashmere Blend Colour-Block Jumper – No. Eleven – £99
Cashmere Blend Straight Leg Jogger – No. Eleven – £79
Cashmere Roll Neck Tunic – No. Eleven – £159
However, if you’d prefer to hand wash your cashmere pieces (or the label says so!), we have some tips below.
How to Handwash Cashmere
- Check the label to see if your cashmere can be hand washed
- Invest in a high-quality cashmere-safe detergent
- Submerge the garment in lukewarm water and a small amount of the detergent (we’d recommend using a clean bath tub!)
- Soak the garment for 5-10 minutes
- Gently run the piece under cold water, until the liquid is clear
- Press your garment against the side of the tub or sink to squeeze out excess water – again, gently – do not twist or wring, as this can stretch and break the cashmere fibres
Cashmere Roll Neck Tunic – No. Eleven – £159
How to Dry Cashmere
Water can cause a lot of damage to drying cashmere – it’s heavy, so if you hang up your piece to dry as you would a T-shirt or dress, your cashmere will most likely stretch out of shape.
To dry effectively (and without any damage) we’d recommend laying flat on a hard surface in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause dye fading!
Where to Store Cashmere
Cashmere Blend Longline Coatigan – No. Eleven – £139
Once your cashmere is clean and dry, it’s important to keep it safely stored. Minimise exposure to direct light and heat, although it’s a good idea to “air out” your pieces once in a while – this will help prevent pesky moth holes! Canvas suit covers are ideal, as they’ll help the fabric to “breathe” whilst fighting off moths and external bacteria. However, rather than hanging your cashmere inside the suit covers, fold them neatly – hanging can cause stretching of the fabric, even when dry!
Cashmere Blend Round Neck Jumper – No. Eleven – £79
Cashmere Ribbed Snood – No. Eleven – £49
Cashmere V-Neck Jumper – No. Eleven – £129
Want to see more of our cashmere line-up? Head straight to our No. Eleven Cashmere & Shearling sale.
Words by Hannah Wright
