I store mine (not just Hermes scarfs, but all of my silk scarves) inside Chanel cotton drawstring bags (I have several) I got from some online Chanel beauty orders, and then keep all the drawstring bags in a dedicated nylon Ikea box organiser inside a cupboard
Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves
- Thread starter dianagrace
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it's their SKUBB box organiser, set of 6 boxes, Iuse one of the larger ones to fit all of my Chanel drawstring bags with scarves folded inside
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Those Chanel bags come in handy that’s why I only buy my Chanel cosmetics online. I have too many scarves to store them in boxes or bags. They’re just folded in drawers so I can just pick out the one I need. I travel with them in luggage or carry them in my purse in silk bags.
Hi all
I have a question about the effect of handwashing vs dry cleaning cashmere shawls.
I know there has been a lot of intense debate here over the issue. But I am still unresolved.
I do not like the feeling of a new, store bought CSGM. I find them a bit scratchy, and they tend to irritate my skin and throat ( allergies). So the first thing I do is a handwash in some lukewarm water with Soak, and then I let the shawl dry flat on a clean towel. I rewash after about 20 days of wearing. I find my shawls to be very soft and fresh this way. Plus it is very convenient.
HOWEVER, I recently purchased a shawl on the aftermarket (Faubourg Tropical from SS2022 collection so only one season before my first purchases in FW2022). And the quality of the fabric feels so much better 🫣 the fabric is softer and denser (but there is also a bit more fizz). There is especially a big difference with my Retour à la nature from SS23). The person who sold it to me claims she had it only cleaned by Hermès. I inquired with H and they told me they dry clean the shawls…
So know I am tempted to try dry cleaning too.
Has anyone experienced thinning of fabric because of handwashing or more dense and fluffy fabric when dry cleaning? I would expect the fabric to be softer with hand washing?
Or could it just be a decline in quality in fabric between SS 2022 cashmere and subsequent seasons?
Edit to add: did anyone experience shrinking of the hems when handwashing? I have a feeling the corners of my shawls are not as straight as they were…
I have a question about the effect of handwashing vs dry cleaning cashmere shawls.
I know there has been a lot of intense debate here over the issue. But I am still unresolved.
I do not like the feeling of a new, store bought CSGM. I find them a bit scratchy, and they tend to irritate my skin and throat ( allergies). So the first thing I do is a handwash in some lukewarm water with Soak, and then I let the shawl dry flat on a clean towel. I rewash after about 20 days of wearing. I find my shawls to be very soft and fresh this way. Plus it is very convenient.
HOWEVER, I recently purchased a shawl on the aftermarket (Faubourg Tropical from SS2022 collection so only one season before my first purchases in FW2022). And the quality of the fabric feels so much better 🫣 the fabric is softer and denser (but there is also a bit more fizz). There is especially a big difference with my Retour à la nature from SS23). The person who sold it to me claims she had it only cleaned by Hermès. I inquired with H and they told me they dry clean the shawls…
So know I am tempted to try dry cleaning too.
Has anyone experienced thinning of fabric because of handwashing or more dense and fluffy fabric when dry cleaning? I would expect the fabric to be softer with hand washing?
Or could it just be a decline in quality in fabric between SS 2022 cashmere and subsequent seasons?
Edit to add: did anyone experience shrinking of the hems when handwashing? I have a feeling the corners of my shawls are not as straight as they were…
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Interesting question. Tropical Faubourg is my first H shawl bought from the store. I handwash all my shawls so no comparison vs dry cleaning.
My opinion is, Tropical Faubourg has better fabric: thicker and softer. Subsequent ones are thinner, stiffer and can be scratchy. My BdG (forget from which season) isn’t as fluffly and I almost didn’t buy Chevaux dechainés from SS 2024 as it was so thin (but found a great color so I relented).
Following this with interest…
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I’m finding the newer shawls are lighter weight.
I am in the dry cleaning camp. I find that dry cleaning is less harsh on the fabric (for example, I spot clean with water and stain remover any spots/stains and then take it to dry cleaner). I ask my dry cleaner to be gentle and just put it through the cleaning cycle without pressing it. I steam and press it myself thereafter (I use thin cheese cloth and iron on high from the back), also fix pulls, de-pile/de-fuzz, reround hems, etc - they look like new. But I don’t like them fluffy and fuzzy personally, so my goal is to maintain the appearance and a feel of a new shawl - or as close as possible to that original state.
As far as washing. I think it is ok to wash if you feel it is working for you. I would avoid washing vintage items as I have seen plenty of shawls with color running all around from being washed - so I would not be willing to risk that. Personal preference that is.
As far as corners when washing - it is normal for fabric to stretch when exposed to water, just need to reshape it and hopefully dry it flat to actually keep the shape…
As far as quality - it has changed significantly over the years - we noted it in previous discussions/ threads. Something from 1990/2000 will have a diff feel from early 2010 - and it started to get worse from then on. Some seasons were particularly bad (I avoid buying those seasons all together when shopping second hand
Interesting. My Faubourg seems a lot better quality… I also have the feeling the shawls get thinner every season 🫣
Interesting. So maybe it is a quality issue and not me handwashing my shawls…
I am in the dry cleaning camp. I find that dry cleaning is less harsh on the fabric (for example, I spot clean with water and stain remover any spots/stains and then take it to dry cleaner). I ask my dry cleaner to be gentle and just put it through the cleaning cycle without pressing it. I steam and press it myself thereafter (I use thin cheese cloth and iron on high from the back), also fix pulls, de-pile/de-fuzz, reround hems, etc - they look like new. But I don’t like them fluffy and fuzzy personally, so my goal is to maintain the appearance and a feel of a new shawl - or as close as possible to that original state.
As far as washing. I think it is ok to wash if you feel it is working for you. I would avoid washing vintage items as I have seen plenty of shawls with color running all around from being washed - so I would not be willing to risk that. Personal preference that is.
As far as corners when washing - it is normal for fabric to stretch when exposed to water, just need to reshape it and hopefully dry it flat to actually keep the shape…
As far as quality - it has changed significantly over the years - we noted it in previous discussions/ threads. Something from 1990/2000 will have a diff feel from early 2010 - and it started to get worse from then on. Some seasons were particularly bad (I avoid buying those seasons all together when shopping second hand
Thank you @Ashanti_Rose!
So dry clean or handwashing will probably not make a difference regarding the thickness of the fabric, if anything, dry cleaning will avoid fizzing if I understand you correctly.
I will try to reshape the hems better, I must finally look up the dedicated thread because there are some pulls to be fixed too!
I hand wash all my H scarves and shawls and have never noticed any fuzziness.
You can peruse this thread to see how others store their scarves including shawls.
My two favourite cashmere/silk shawls have been stained with an essential oil mix that leaked onto them! The smell is so strong it makes me incredibly nauseous… I’ve washed them with 2 different detergents and did a soak with baking soda + small amount of water. The smell seems to be stronger than it initially was. The oils have now also stained my hands and now I’m just perpetually nauseous… What else do you recommend I do?
Stop washing and send them to a good dry cleaner (and specifially mention the issue). My dry cleaner was able to rid of most odors from pre-loved shawls. Cashmere in general has a tendency to retain smells, so it is challenging.
