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how to care for and store cashmere—plus prevention of pilling

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Why Cashmere Care Matters

Cashmere is cherished for its luxurious softness and warmth—yet it requires special attention. It's made from fine goat fibres that, when mishandled, can lose shape, develop holes, or pill. Proper care ensures your cashmere garments—jumpers, scarves, accessories—stay soft, smooth, and in peak condition for years.

1. Gentle Washing: Hand Wash or Delicate Cycle

  • Hand Wash (Best Method): Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild, wool-specific detergent (like baby shampoo or cashmere wash). Submerge the garment, gently swirl—no rubbing or wringing! Let it soak for 5–10 minutes, then rinse with clean lukewarm water.

  • Machine Wash (If You Must): Use a mesh laundry bag. Select the delicates or wool cycle, with cold or lukewarm water and mild detergent. Avoid detergents with enzymes or bleach.

2. Drying with Care: Reshape & Lay Flat

  • After washing, press out water gently—don’t wring. Lay the garment flat on a clean towel, roll up the towel to absorb moisture.

  • Reshape the cashmere to its original form and lay flat on a dry towel. Avoid hanging—it stretches the fibres.

  • Let it dry away from direct heat (sunlight or radiators), which can weaken the wool.

3. Storing for Longevity: Folded, Fresh, and Protected

  • Fold, Don't Hang: Hanging it stretches shoulders and loses shape; folding preserves structure.

  • Use Acid-Free Tissue: Between folds helps maintain shape and prevent creasing.

  • Protect From Moths: Store with cedar blocks or lavender sachets in airtight containers or breathable cotton bags.

  • Rotate Seasonal Wear: Wash and store at the season’s end. Air item out between wears to minimize need for laundering.

4. Battling Pilling: Prevention and Removal

Pilling happens when loose fibres tangle on fabric surfaces, common in high-friction areas like underarms, sides, and sleeves.

Prevention Tips:

  • Turn garments inside out when washing to minimise friction on the outer face.

  • Wash with similar fabrics—avoid abrasive textiles like denim.

  • Choose mild spinning or hand wash—high agitation accelerates pilling.

  • Store carefully to avoid snagging on rough surfaces or other clothes.

Removing Pills:

  • Use a cashmere comb or fabric shaver—gently glide over the pilled area, avoiding contact with the base material.

  • For light pilling, use sticky lint rollers.

  • Fine-toothed combs (fashion tape combs) are handy for small, delicate areas.

5. Occasional Deep Care: Steam, Refresh, Repair

  • Steam Out Wrinkles: A garment steamer on low steam helps reshape with no heat damage.

  • Air Refreshing: Hang in a humid bathroom after a hot shower—no need to wash every time.

  • Mend Promptly: Small pulls can become big holes. Use fine needles and matching thread to repair early.

6. Sustainable Styling Tips

  • Wear often—store with care. Rotating pieces extends life and reduces need for replacements.

  • Buy quality over quantity. Cheaper cashmere pills faster and wears out sooner.

  • Follow care labels. They tell whether an item might need dry cleaning or allow hand washing.

7. Trust Tellar.co.uk for Fit & Style Guidance

Great care starts with the right fit—no unnecessary friction or stretching. Tellar.co.uk uses your correct body measurements to recommend sizes in premium knitwear brands, ensuring your cashmere fits beautifully and lasts longer.

How the fit tool helps:

  1. Create a free profile with your bust, waist, and hip measurements.

  2. Search specific brands—whether you’re buying new cashmere or replacing favourite pieces.

  3. View your recommended size, based on actual garments from over 1,500 brands.

  4. Tap into fit notes that highlight if a brand runs narrow, tight in shoulders, or long in sleeves.

This ensures minimal stress on fibres—boosting longevity and reducing pilling or misshaping.

👉 Start here: Tellar – Create your profile

🔗 Relevant Tellar.co.uk Guides (Live Links)

These Tellar posts deliver tested, style-forward advice to complement your cashmere care:

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Dive deeper into wardrobe mastery with our social channels:

Expect ongoing posts on textiles, outerwear fit, seasonal trends, and care tutorials.

Final Take

Cashmere is a wardrobe investment—treat it as one! Hand-wash gently, dry flat, store folded with moth protection, and prevent pilling for years of luxurious wear. Layer in sustainable habits as you wear and care for your knits, and rely on Tellar.co.uk to ensure your garments always fit correctly and perform optimally.

Elevate your knitwear care—start with Tellar, stay stylish, and keep cozy forever.

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