New-season cashmere is here

Once you’ve invested in a new piece of knitwear you might take a look at the care label – typically, you’ll see a hand-wash-only symbol, but you may wonder, should I hand wash cashmere or is it safe to put in the washing machine? It is worth noting that if you take real care (and some extra precautions) washing machines’ hand-wash settings can sometimes be gentler than traditional hand-washing in a sink or basin.

As a rule of thumb, you should only wash your garment when it's actually dirty and always begin by turning it inside out.

• Hand-wash – Most washing machines have a handwash setting you can use, but if you want to do it yourself, use a bowl that is clean and grease-free, then dissolve specialist detergent into lukewarm water. Gently swirl your garment in the water for about 30 seconds. Let it soak for up to 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Gently squeeze the water through the fibres, then rinse with cool, clean water. Avoid wringing or stretching your garment.

• Machine washable – Select a 30-degree delicate cycle. Place your garment inside a mesh washing bag to protect against snagging. Always use non-biological detergents that are specially formulated for wool and silk. Steer clear of fabric conditioner to avoid your knitwear thinning and developing holes.

• Drying – Once washed, carefully reshape your item but avoid twisting or wringing it. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water. Finally, air dry your garment flat on a towel. As heat can damage cashmere fibres, tumble drying is not generally advised.

To extend the life of your cashmere, only wash it when dirty and always follow the care instructions carefully to avoid your 100-per-cent cashmere shrinking.

Pilling – A natural characteristic of cashmere, rather than a sign of poor quality. We use the longest, finest fibres for our knits, meaning any pilling that may occur will form longer, thinner bobbles that are easy to remove by hand, with a fabric shaver or cashmere comb. To do this, lay the item flat, then comb in one direction over the affected area, using short, gentle strokes. Don’t do this too often or you risk thinning the garment.

Storing – To avoid creating rips, stretching or distorting the shape of your cashmere garment, avoid hanging it. Instead, carefully fold it flat and store in a drawer or upon wardrobe shelves.

Moths – Keep these hole-creating pests away by placing cedarwood wardrobe or drawer accessories, or lavender sachets, in clothing storage containing cashmere. If you’re packing away pieces for summer, store them in a cool, dry place in breathable sealed bags with anti-moth balls as a deterrant.