Wool and cashmere are two of the most loved fabrics in our wardrobes - soft, warm and beautifully long-lasting when cared for properly. Yet many people feel unsure about washing them at home. Shrinking, felting, and stretching are common concerns, and past mistakes can make knitwear care feel intimidating.
The good news is that wool and cashmere are far more resilient than they appear. With the right detergent, temperature and technique, you can safely wash them at home - and often achieve better results than dry cleaning.
This expert guide explains how to wash wool and cashmere step by step, avoid damage, and keep your knitwear feeling soft and luxurious for years.
Why Wool & Cashmere Need Special Care
Wool and cashmere are natural animal fibres made from delicate protein structures. These fibres are breathable, self-cleaning and naturally insulating, but they are sensitive to:
Heat
Sudden temperature changes can cause fibres to constrict, leading to felting and shrinking.
Agitation
Too much movement while fibres are warm or saturated can cause them to matt, distort or pill.
Harsh detergents
Mainstream detergents contain enzymes and strong surfactants intended for cotton. These can damage or strip wool, leaving it rough and weakened.
Weight when wet
Wool absorbs water and becomes heavy. If lifted incorrectly, garments can stretch out of shape.
Understanding these vulnerabilities makes proper care simple.
The Most Common Knitwear Mistakes
Here are the issues that cause most damage:
❌ Using standard detergent – enzymes break down wool’s natural keratin structure
❌ Choosing a hot wash – even a single warm cycle can felt fibres
❌ Spinning too fast – stretching occurs when fibres are stressed while wet
❌ Using synthetic fabric softener – often contains microplastics that cling to fibres
❌ Hanging garments to dry – gravity pulls fibres downward, causing distortion
Avoiding these 5 pitfalls alone drastically extends garment life.
How to Wash Wool Safely (Handwash Method)
Handwashing is the gentlest method and ideal for cashmere or loosely knitted wool.
You’ll need:
Cool water (20-30°C) - for the first wash of a new garment, wash cold (15-20C)
A wool-safe detergent (enzyme-free, pH balanced)
A clean towel
1. Prepare a cool bath
Fill a basin with enough cool water to submerge the garment
2. Add a wool or delicates detergent
Just a small amount is needed, wool does not require heavy cleaning agents
3. Submerge the garment gently
Press it into the water without rubbing or twisting
4. Soak for 10-15 minutes
Allow the detergent to lift oils and odours naturally
5. Rinse in cool water
Drain and refill the basin, pressing the water through the fibres
6. Remove excess water
Lay the garment on a towel, roll it up, and press
Never wring
7. Dry flat
Reshape and leave to dry naturally
Avoid radiators or direct sunlight
How to Machine-Wash Wool (If Your Machine Is Suitable)
Many modern machines offer excellent wool or delicates cycles. If yours is reputable and you’ve washed the item before (for the first wash we recommend doing by hand), then machine washing can be safe and effective.
Machine-washing checklist:
✔ Wool/delicate cycle selected
✔ Cool wash (20-30°C)
✔ Slow spin (600-800rpm)
✔ Wool-safe detergent
✔ Remove garment immediately after washing
✔ Dry flat
If in doubt, handwash.
How to Wash Cashmere at Home
Cashmere fibres are finer and softer than wool, so they benefit even more from gentle washing.
How often should you wash cashmere?
Every 3-5 wears, unless it’s stained or heavily soiled.
Best method:
Handwashing is recommended for cashmere, but a gentle machine cycle can work for sturdier weaves.
Cashmere tips:
- Always wash in cool water
- Never wring
- Support the garment while wet
- Reshape carefully while drying
Once dry, you can use a cashmere comb to remove natural pilling and restore smoothness.
How to Wash Silk & Other Delicates
Silk blends, lace, and fine delicates often sit alongside wool and cashmere in premium wardrobes.
For silk:
- Handwash where possible, especially on the first wash
- Use cool water
- Avoid harsh agitation
- Dry away from direct sunlight
Silk is extremely sensitive to heat and alkalinity, always use a delicates detergent.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Detergent
This is the step most people overlook.
Wool and cashmere require detergents that are:
✔ pH neutral
✔ Free from enzymes
✔ Designed specifically for natural fibres
Mainstream detergents can break down protein-based fibres - even when used in small quantities.
Essential-oil-based detergents, however, clean gently while leaving a soft, natural scent.
How to Dry Wool & Cashmere Properly
Drying is often where damage occurs.
❌ Never:
- Hang wool or cashmere
- Dry on a radiator
- Tumble dry
- Leave folded while damp
✔ Always:
- Lie flat on a towel or across multiple bars on your airer
- Reshape carefully
- Allow to air dry naturally
- Keep away from heat sources
Correct drying prevents stretching, thinning and misshaping.
How to Store Wool & Cashmere - and Stop Moths Naturally
Moths are drawn to natural fibres, especially those with traces of body oils or perfume.
To protect your knitwear:
✔ Wash garments before storing
✔ Keep wardrobe spaces clean and well-aired
✔ Use natural scent protectors (lavender, cedar, sandalwood, citrus)
✔ Store for a season or longer term in breathable fabric bags
Fresh, aromatic spaces are naturally moth-repelling.
When to Use Delicates Detergent
Use Delicates Detergent for:
- Wool
- Cashmere
- Silk
- Lace
- Mohair
- Alpaca
Use Everyday Laundry for:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Denim
- Everyday clothing
- Mixed loads
Everyday Laundry is great for looking after your cotton, linen and synthetic items, but your premium knitwear will always thrive with a detergent created specifically for natural fibres.
Together, they create a thoughtful wardrobe-care routine that extends the life of everything you wear and love.
Your Knitwear Can Last a Lifetime
With gentle washing, careful drying and simple moth protection, wool and cashmere become some of the longest-lasting garments in your wardrobe - softening beautifully with age.
A little care goes a long way, and the right routine transforms knitwear from something you worry about washing into something you enjoy caring for.
If you’d like to make this routine effortless, our Seasonal Scent & Protect Box brings together everything you need to care for knitwear properly throughout the year. It includes specialist wool detergents, natural moth protection and beautifully scented wardrobe care, all thoughtfully curated to work together. It’s designed to support exactly the kind of gentle washing, careful storage and fibre protection you’ve just read about, so your wool and cashmere stay soft, fresh and beautifully looked after, season after season.
Explore the Seasonal Scent & Protect Box →
