Caring for Cashmere Knitwear

Merino Wool, lambswool & other fine fibres

We are often asked: 'How do I wash cashmere?', 'Can I machine wash cashmere?' and 'How do you store cashmere?'.

Our fibre experts have collated their Cashmere Care secrets to make laundering your luxury knitwear as straight forward as possible.

How to Wash Cashmere

Knitwear

We take care creating our iconic cashmere knitwear, so you can enjoy beautiful, luxurious products that last for more than a lifetime.

With a little bit of love and care, you can safeguard the life span of your Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere, and it's easier than you might imagine.

COMB

After wearing your cashmere for the first few times, you may find small balls of fibre or 'pills' forming. A natural process of loose fibres rubbing together during wear. Use a DePilling Comb to remove them, or gently detach them by hand. Your Cashmere will feel even softer as a result.

 

GENTLY HANDWASH

We recommend you gently hand wash cashmere knitwear after you have worn it three or four times. Specific washing instructions are on the care label inside the garment.
Hand-wash by submerging your knitwear in lukewarm water, add Cashmere Shampoo, leaving to soak for just a few minutes before gently squeezing to clean, without wringing or stretching. Then rinse several times in clean water of the same temperature.

 

RESHAPE
Dry your knitwear by laying it on a flat surface, then reshape and smooth. Allow it to dry naturally away from direct heat.

Do not tumble dry.

Once fully dry, you can iron on a cool setting - always using a damp cloth to protect the fibres from direct heat.

STORING YOUR CASHMERE


Cedar Wood Balls provide a natural repellent for moths and insects that could damage your cashmere, simply place alongside your knitwear in drawers, boxes, or garment bags.

If you do find a moth-sized hole, don't worry, our partners at Cashmere Circle are on hand - the expert team based in the Scottish Borders can invisibly mend and repair your treasured cashmere using time-honoured skills and return it to you like new.

 

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Dry Clean Recommended

how to wash a cashmere scarf, stoles, blankets, coats & other woven pieces

We recommend professionally dry-cleaning woven Cashmere pieces to help maintain their colour, shape and size.

The inherent antibacterial properties of Cashmere fibres mean they only require occasional cleaning, so before heading straight to the dry cleaners you can try the below.

Johnstons of Elgin Block Check Cashmere Vicuna Scarf in Natural shades WV000015RU5642N/A

SHAKE AND HANG
Carefully shaking your woven Cashmere clothing and accessories will help to remove dust particles. Shaking will also fluff the fibres slightly to help refresh their shape.

Fresh air can also lift dirt and dust particles from cashmere fibres. Simply hang your scarf, stole or throw somewhere the air naturally circulates.

 

GENTLY SPOT CLEAN

Localised marks or stains on your cashmere items can often be removed by dabbing gently with a moist cloth. Using cold water fibres expanding and possibly shrinking as they cool. Use a light spritz of cold water to dampen the marked area, if the stain is oily, dab gently with cashmere shampoo. Fizzy water can be effective in removing small, fresh stains, as the air bubbles can lift dirt particles.

Afterwards, hang the item up to dry.

Spot test more vibrantly coloured cashmere pieces with cashmere shampoo in a discreet area before tackling a larger stain. Use a slightly damp white cloth to spot test to ensure none of the colour transfers to the cloth, if it does, please have the item professionally dry cleaned.

 

AIR DRY
Air dry woven cashmere items outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. If an item is very damp, dry it flat to avoid loss of shape.

Never tumble dry Cashmere pieces.

DRY CLEANING

The letter 'P' or 'F' in a circle on a care label indicates a garment should be dry cleaned. While 'P' means the product can be dry cleaned using any solvent, several countries have banned the conventional Perchloroethylene or ‘PERC’ method, and the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) does not approve it. For this reason, we recommend our customers ask for the ‘F’ method when sending items to be dry cleaned.

PIONEERING GARMENT WASHING
To revive your cashmere in the most convenient way, Cashmere Circle can refresh and revitalise your items.
Their pioneering garment washing, de-pilling and full steam service removes odours and impurities and returns cashmere fibres to like-new condition. This is an ideal way to breathe new life into your wardrobe favourites or prepare your cashmere for storage at the end of each season.

Responsibly sourced. Lovingly crafted. Made in Scotland and made to last.

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