Reviewed fabric profile

How to Wash Cashmere

Cashmere is a fine animal fiber with high sensitivity to agitation, stretching and heat. Finished-garment labels vary, so hand washing or gentle machine washing is only appropriate when explicitly allowed.

Prepared by WashCareLab Editorial Team Source review: WashCareLab Research Review Desk Fact checked Sep 1, 2026 Next review Mar 2027

What this fabric name tells you

Cashmere is a fine animal fiber with high sensitivity to agitation, stretching and heat. Finished-garment labels vary, so hand washing or gentle machine washing is only appropriate when explicitly allowed.

Washing approach

Follow the garment label; when washable, use mild detergent and minimal agitation. Fine animal fibers can felt or distort.

Heat and drying

Reshape gently and dry flat when the label allows home washing. Wet knit structure is easy to distort.

Use the finished-item label

Fiber-level guidance is a starting point, not permission to override coatings, trims, blends, structure or a dry-clean-only instruction. WashCareLab keeps the actual garment care label above the generic fabric profile.

Care label first

The fiber profile explains common risks. The sewn-in care instructions for your actual garment override any generic fiber-level guidance.

Care considerations

washing

Follow the garment label; when washable, use mild detergent and minimal agitation.

Fine animal fibers can felt or distort.

Watch for: Dry-clean-only or specialty-finished cashmere should not be treated as machine washable.

temperature

Use cool or lukewarm water within the label limit rather than hot water.

Cashmere is heat- and agitation-sensitive.

Watch for: Temperature shock and heat can contribute to felting or shrinkage.

drying

Reshape gently and dry flat when the label allows home washing.

Wet knit structure is easy to distort.

Watch for: Hanging wet knitwear can stretch it; high dryer heat can cause shrinkage.

storage

Store clean and dry; fold rather than hang heavy knitwear for long periods.

Storage condition affects delicate knitwear.

Watch for: Moisture and soiling can attract pests or set odors.

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