If you own a Cashmere scarf or wrap, you know how important its care is. Be it washing, storing, ironing, or everyday maintenance, Cashmere is a challenge to maintain. And if you are an owner of Cashmere - scarf or shawl - you know how badly you want to increase its wardrobe shelf life. After all, Cashmere is one expensive product that costs thousands of dollars (based on its processing complexity). And with such price tags, one would never want to let go of these luxury items so easily. 

Paying a little extra attention can do wonders for your Cashmere scarf. The right care for Cashmere products is especially important so that it retains their wonderful properties and remains your companion for the rest of your life. In this guide for Cashmere care, we will address concerns regarding the proper care for Cashmere. This includes washing Cashmere at home, drying it, storing it properly, and ironing it. All these activities have to be done with extra caution or you might leave your treasure-worthy companion damaged forever.

Cashmere is considered a luxury product. Hence, other than proper washing and storage (which are considered mighty challenges when it comes to care), Ironing Cashmere too needs high watchfulness and alertness. A cautious ironing will make these scarves and wraps look as fresh as new.

Can I Iron my scarf?

Ironing Cashmere is quite a possible task to do at home, provided you are attentive and cautious regarding the same. Cashmere is an extremely soft and delicate fabric and hence needs extra gentleness while ironing. It can get easily damaged if ironed carelessly. So, one needs to follow certain instructions as recommended by our fabric experts. 

A lot of Cashmere users believe that washing or ironing is best done by professionals in laundry services. But the same is not true. One can do a better job at home. You too can iron the creases out of your luxury scarf if you have patience and a watchful eye. 

Does Cashmere wrinkle easily?

FAQs: Does Cashmere even need ironing? Does it wrinkle so easily? How frequently should we iron Cashmere?

These questions are frequently asked by customers. Our fabric experts believe that if Cashmere products are washed, dried, and stored properly, there are very less chances of wrinkles and creases. Usually, many of the users have been found to wear wraps without ironing them. But their secret to a crisp and intact wrap is proper handling and maintenance. 

But it so happens at times that a Cashmere scarf is mistakenly placed under many thick layers of winter clothing. And this causes creases in the scarves which definitely steal the good looks of the scarf. In this specific case, it is better to iron and make it the graceful accessory that it was and has always been. 

At times, just pulling out of a pile of clothes or a luggage bag, and hanging it for a while does the job of stretching your scarf. In this case, you won't need an iron. But if the creases have become more severe, then the scarf does need careful ironing. 

In the next section, we show you how to iron your scarf to get rid of wrinkles and creases. 

Also read: HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT CASHMERE?

How to get wrinkles out of a Cashmere scarf/wrap/shawl?

If you just found out that your luxury Cashmere has deep wrinkles in it, that simple “stretching by hanging” isn't able to undo it, it's time to use a steaming iron. A fabric steamer or a steaming iron (that doesn't contact the base of the scarf), are life savers in this case. And if the wrinkles are even tough, then contact with a hot iron is the last resort.

Firstly, there should be no direct contact between your scarf and the hot iron. Make sure you set the lowest heat setting on the iron. Make sure the iron is clean, so as to save your scarf from getting stained. Next, place a cotton cloth in between the iron and the scarf and gently move the iron where the wrinkle is. (You can even iron the whole scarf if you want). This way, your scarf is wrinkle-free. 

Even though cashmere creases and wrinkles less than other textiles, we see that it can still happen in many situations. However, following the instructions, one can easily undo the same and make their scarf fresh and new again.

Pure or Mixed Cashmere

If your Cashmere is pure, then it will definitely wrinkle, albeit a little. But if it is mixed with silk or nylon, there is very less chance of it wrinkling, as the percentage of artificial fibre will stop the scarf from wrinkling. Maintaining pure scarves demands extra caution as they are more pricey and more delicate as compared to their mixed counterparts.

Also read: HOW DO YOU WEAR A CASHMERE WRAP?

A Final Checklist

Before we conclude, we would like to present a checklist of general maintenance of your Cashmere scarf/wrap/shawl.

• Always handwash your scarf/wrap at home. This is the best option you have. It is even better than professional washing.
• Use lukewarm water for washing or rinsing it
• Use Cashmere shampoo or delicate baby shampoo for washing these scarves
• Do not wring or harshly rinse these scarves and wraps. This will deform them.
• Do not hang your scarf to dry it. This too will stretch it unnecessarily. Instead place it on the floor, semi-dry, and let it air dry for a few days
• Do not dry your scarf in a dryer. This might damage the core of the fibre permanently.
• Do not expose your scarf to direct sunlight. It might lead to discoloration.
• Iron your scarf with the least setting on. Place a cotton cloth between the scarf and the iron and then start the process. Direct ironing can damage the fibre
• Store your scarf in a dry, clean place, free from moisture. Place camphor balls around the same if required. 
• If your scarf has already been attacked by moths, place it in a zip-lock bag, and then put it in the freezer for a few hours. 

Concluding

Preserving Cashmere for a long time needs you to be careful with it. Only then will it remain with you as a loyal partner, and caress you with its comfy touch for all the colder days to come. 

Also read: WHAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE CASHMERE?