About
Cashmere garments derives from the cashmere goat that lives in Mongolia and the Himalayan mountains at altitudes up to 5.000 meters. However, nowadays you can find cashmere goats also in Iran, India, Tibet, China and Iraq. To withstand the cold it has an unusually fine undercoat. At the yearly coat change, the undercoat hairs are separated from the coarser guard hair and are sorted by color. Textiles made from cashmere are very soft, light and lustrous, and is known to be the most expensive hair fiber.
Characteristics
Cashmere is characterized by its extra-fine and soft hand feeling whilst being a lightweight and strong fiber. Garments made of pure cashmere provide excellent insulation, yet it breathes naturally which makes it perfect to wear directly against bare skin. Pilling is a natural shedding characteristic which comes from wearing - not washing. However, pilling is not necessarily a sign of poor quality - simply invest in a good pill remover, such as The laundress Sweater stone or Sweater Comb to gently remove the unwanted fuzz balls.
Good to know
Cashmere can be worn year round on cold winter days, on chilly summer days, and a cashmere cardigan is perfect to keep in the office for cozy and comfortable wear. Do not store your sweaters in plastic - use cotton bags that close with zippers. Plastic creates an environment for moth breeding - perfume, body oils and deodorant are food for the bugs, and moths do not eat through cotton. Spray with The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Spray, which is a natural moth and bug repellent, in-between washing, wearing and storing.
Blends
Cashmere is nowadays normally blended with normal sheep's wool or man-made fibers to reduce the cost. Another reason for blending the luxurious fiber is to makes the garment more durable.
Aftercare
Cashmere garments do not have to be washed between each wear, simply hang it out in fresh air or in a damp bathroom to remove any odors - this is a natural fiber that clean itself to some extent.
First, remove any pilling and turn inside out.
Wash with care; hand wash in a lukewarm basin or machine wash in a mesh-bag on a delicate wool program. We suggest you use a mild cleaning product, such as The Laundress Wool & Cashmere detergent.
Dripping wet garments should be dried flat, preferably lay flat on a towel to avoid stretching.
Do not bleach. Iron on medium heat with damp or on a damp cloth on the garment. Can be dry cleaned. Should not be dried in a tumble dryer, nor in direct sunlight, not over direct heat.
* Sources: “Clothing Technology 3rd Edition” by Eberle, Hermeling, Hornberger, Menzer and Ring