Washing Cashmere Scarves

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#17
I washed my mom's cashmere scarves. They are all 90X90, so it was not very difficult. Although once I almost had a heart attack- colour started to run, so I rinsed, rinsed and rinsed until water was clear.

I am still contemplating how to approach mine since they all are GM.
I followed almost the same procedure as Gina B explained with a few exceptions:)
Sometimes I use special cashmere wash , but very delicate one. For example TSE. Otherwise, baby shampoo works really well too.
Besides that after lifting scarf from water GENTLY lay it flat on clean towel, form it properly and without any pulling roll it in.
Towel would absorb all excessive moisture.
Then unroll and let scarf lay flat to dry until very slightly dump before starting ironing.
I totally second the use of steam iron.:yes:
In Europe I believe LauraStar might be a good choice.
 
#18
gina_b said:
hello, I wash my H cashmere scarves and shawls by hand in a tub of cold water with a drop of baby shampoo or Dawn dishwashing liquid (which apparently lifts out grease/oil). Agitate only very gently, rinse, then squeeze (not wring) water out, rinse again, squeeze, then dry flat on a towel and sweater drying rack (though any flat surface will do). Once dry I iron them but leave the rolled edges alone.

I don't recommend dry cleaning any cashmere items (or silk, for that matter) since the chemicals will deteriorate the fibers over time. (And I also hate the idea that safety pins might be used on the scarves to hold them in place for dry cleaning!)
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This sounds like a great method. Totally agree about leaving the rolled edge alone. That would be the problem with the cleaners, you couldn't trust them not to press.
 
#21
gina_b said:
hello, I wash my H cashmere scarves and shawls by hand in a tub of cold water with a drop of baby shampoo or Dawn dishwashing liquid (which apparently lifts out grease/oil). Agitate only very gently, rinse, then squeeze (not wring) water out, rinse again, squeeze, then dry flat on a towel and sweater drying rack (though any flat surface will do). Once dry I iron them but leave the rolled edges alone.

I don't recommend dry cleaning any cashmere items (or silk, for that matter) since the chemicals will deteriorate the fibers over time. (And I also hate the idea that safety pins might be used on the scarves to hold them in place for dry cleaning!)
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Hello, FWIW I do exactly the same as Gina and the first time I did it was on a bright red Belles du Mexique - a little bit of dye in the water but not much and a great result. Fresh and clean but still with lovely, plump hems :tup:



G - missed you Lovely :flowers:
 
#23
I was wondering if anyone has had any more experience with washing cashmere scarves and if they could post their experiences?

Would you recommend machine or handwash?

I have a LauraStar iron, would you recommend just steam ironing it?

Does cashmere shrink with washing? I have had some woollies shrink in my wash, I'm just not sure about how the GM will behave. Also does it retain its original shape when dry?

Thanks for your advice if you have any, for this washing novice....
 
#24
I was told by a person who owns a drycleaner ( girl friend of mine) IF IT IS PRECIOUS TO YOU DON'T DRYCLEAN IT! She said drycleaning always, always, shrinks everything and the chemical is so toxic and really not the best thing. Best thing is cold water. and very little soap. rinsing out the soap is very important. Woolite but recommend 1/2 the dosage.

She thought it was funny people drycleaning Jean expecting not to shrink.

Hmmmm and I thought I was just getting FAT!!! My clothes are just shrinking!!!! LOL
 
#26
i have washed a number of gm's. i put them in the tub with a wool/cashmere shampoo and tepid water. swish gently and rinse thoroughly but fully support the shawl in your hands while rinsing so there is no stretching. as you take it out gently squeeze excess water and roll flat into a large towel to remove excess water. leave it for a few minutes, then stretch out a clean dry towel-preferably white- on a bed. unroll the gm and press out with your clean hands, adjusting if it is a little wonky to one side. it will take an overnight to dry but won't need to be pressed with an iron. i am not crazy about irons on cash/silk. i think it crushes the fibers. i have washed at least 5-8 gm's this way. just make sure to take your time, dont wear jewelry that will snag as you wash, even be careful with fingernails! and they smell lovely, not of chemicals.
 
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#27
Okay where does one get an Eurosteam iron? And Gina when you lay it out flat do you have any probem getting the original shape back.
i.e. is it still the same size? Does not sort of stretch in any direction?
 
#29
TankerToad said:
Ahh this answers my stretching question. Thanks Tesi! What soap do you use?
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currently using citrus magic 100 percent natural fine fabric wash. very happy with it. have used others also, just make sure if you purchase it is for cashmere, silks. the laundress cashmere/silk also works well. johnson's baby shampoo too! don't panic, take your time.:heart:
 
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