We care more and more about the clothes we buy, having a special interest in making them last as long as possible to, among other things, respect the environment. For this reason, every day we bet more on quality than quantity and many of our "star" garments are made with natural fibers and fabrics . If you are a lover of cashmere and wool, it is important that you know how to wash this type of delicate clothing so that it always looks impeccable and lasts much longer.

Contrary to what you think, you can wash your cashmere and wool garments at home. What's more, wool and cashmere love water and even improve with washing. Being delicate fibers, you only have to take into account some easy tips and, above all, respect some guidelines that we will tell you below:

How often should I wash my wool and cashmere garments?

There is no need to wash your cashmere and wool jumpers after each use. Of course, between each use we recommend you hang your garments, if possible, in the open air so that they can be ventilated and preferably at night or in the shade to avoid sources of heat or possible discoloration. To preserve the quality and beauty of your jerseys, it is enough to wash them every 3 or 4 uses .

Avoid dry cleaning.

Although many manufacturers recommend it on the label, avoid dry cleaning your wool and cashmere garments. In addition to being bad for the environment, the solvents used in dry cleaners can damage, weaken and destroy the fibers.

Machine wash.

It may surprise you but it is the safest way to wash wool and cashmere . Today washing machines have specific programs for delicate garments, hand wash cycles or special programs for wool. They are very suitable for washing your delicate garments since the speed and regularity of the drum allow you to gently stir the garments to clean them thoroughly, protecting the fibers and preventing them from breaking. The cycles of these programs are usually short, between 30 and 60 minutes , and the 800 RPM spins are ideal for removing excess water without damaging your clothes. As for the temperature, although it is locked at 40ºC by default, we advise you to wash cold so as not to risk shrinking your favorite jumpers.

You can clean several garments at the same time, always taking care not to overfill your washing machine and not to mix colours. Wash your clothes inside out and put them in a net or a pillowcase to avoid chafing with other clothes. That is one of the things that damage the jerseys the most.

Hand cleaning.

However, if you prefer to wash your woolen garments by hand, we advise you to dilute the soap in cold water beforehand, never more than 40ºC . Submerge your garment in the water and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes. Gently remove the garment with your hands to remove any dirt. Be especially careful not to break the fibers. In no case do you have to twist your clothes. For rinsing, remove the garment, empty the soapy water container and refill it with clean water, soaking the garment again to rinse it. Repeat this operation until the water is free of foam. Then drain very carefully.

What detergent to use?

To preserve the fibers, it is important to use a very mild and natural soap . Our laundry soap for silk and wool Nº13 is made with olive oil, cold saponified. This process allows all the properties of olive oil to be preserved: it cleans, nourishes and cares for the most delicate fibers . Never use detergents with enzymes: they destroy the protein in the wool. It is also not necessary to use fabric softener, olive oil provides the necessary hydration.

It is very important to respect the recommended doses since too much detergent could damage your clothes.

How to dry my wool and cashmere garments?

Drying should always be flat , on top of a cotton towel that allows it to absorb water and thus speed up drying. Let your woolen and cashmere garments dry away from the sun or any other source of heat. Never leave your jumpers to dry on a hanger, they could become misshapen. And of course, never in the dryer.

How to iron wool and cashmere?

If you have left your garments to dry flat, they most likely do not need to be ironed. Once dry, they will be ready to use or store again.

However, if you want to iron them, do it better with a steamer than with an iron. If you use an iron, do it with the lowest temperature, without pressing, placing a damp cloth between the iron and the garment to prevent the fibers from crushing.

Tips for storing and protecting wool and cashmere.

You should always store your sweaters folded. If you leave them hanging on a hanger, they will lose their shape prematurely. The ideal is to store them in a drawer or a breathable cotton bag . Never in a plastic bag that could alter the colors and facilitate the development of mold.

Natural fibers attract moths, especially when dirty. Therefore, it is convenient that you keep your clothes clean. You can add cedar pellets and spray your clothes with our wardrobe purifying perfume Nº210 . Its smell of cedar, mint and lavender repels moths and insects , as well as leaving a pleasant aroma.

To take care of your clothes, it is convenient that you remove the little balls that can form as well as the hairs with a specific comb for cashmere. Do it carefully and calmly so as not to damage your clothes. Do not use a sticky roller, it would leave glue residue on your clothes, which attracts dust even more.

Finally, in case of stains, treat them as soon as they appear. If it can be before they dry. Our Castile soap stick Nº03 with olive oil, it is perfect for removing all kinds of stains in complete safety.

In summary, it is important that you wash and store your wool and cashmere clothing correctly so that it lasts as long as possible. In this way, you will maintain the flexibility, shine, shape and color of the fabrics. And that wool and cashmere become your best allies.