Building a wardrobe you’ll wear for years to come is a slow-going process, but investing in the right materials is a good place to start. Natural fibers like cashmere not only feel amazing, but tend to last longer than synthetic fibers, when you know how to properly care for them. The luxurious textile has a reputation for being difficult to wash and store, but with a few tricks, it’ll stay looking as plush as the day you got it — without a trip to the dry cleaner.
While it’s not something you can toss on a hanger and forget about, caring for cashmere sweaters, wraps, and dresses doesn’t have to be laborious. Store it incorrectly, and you risk stretching, pilling, or worse: moths. But treat it right, and it’ll last you season after season.
Here are a few recommendations on how to store your precious cashmere so that it stays in pristine condition, and looks gorgeous to boot.
Skip the hanger
Gravity is not a friend to cashmere: Hanging knitwear can cause severe stretching, especially in the shoulders. Instead, neatly fold and store items in a cool, dry place. If you’re worried about creases, add tissue paper between layers to maintain your piece’s shape. If you must, you can also lay sweaters and tops over a hanger rather than hanging them directly by the shoulders. To do this, fold your top in half vertically and drape it over the crossbar, like you would a pair of pants.
Clean it before storing
Never, ever store cashmere for the summer season without hand-washing or dry cleaning it first. I know it’s a frustrating and tedious step, but cleaning costs less than replacing the entire garment! Even if it looks clean, lingering body oil, perfume, and tiny food particles can attract moths, who feed on those leftovers.
If you choose to wash your garments at home, use a gentle cashmere shampoo and cool water to hand-wash them. You can do this in a sink or the bathtub, whatever’s easiest. Add your detergent to the water with the garment, gently swish it around, and let it soak to break down any oil or dirt on the fabric. Rinse it thoroughly, lay it flat on a towel to dry, and reshape it back to its original silhouette. To remove excess water, roll the towel and garment up and gently press it out; then unroll and lay flat to dry. Want a lower-effort option? Take it to a trusted cleaner for a proper refresh before putting it away for the season.
A trick I learned from a conservator at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art: If you’re cleaning a secondhand find for the first time, you can put it in a plastic bag (like a trash bag or dry cleaning bag) and tie a tight knot in it to suffocate any possible lurking moths. Leave it in the bag for at least a week or two before introducing it into your closet, then launder.
Maintain proper conditions
For short-term storage of cashmere, a breathable cotton bag works best. For off-season storage, opt for airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to keep dust and critters out. Always make sure your clothes are completely dry before sealing them away. (Any moisture can lead to mildew and mold, which is a surefire way to ruin a garment.) Like a lot of us, this fabric does best in cool and dry environments. Every few months, give things a quick shake-out, check for moth holes, refold it, and refresh scent sachets if needed.
Never skip moth prevention
As with most situations in life, being proactive is better (and easier) than being reactive — especially when it comes to moth prevention. Cedar blocks and lavender sachets are natural ways to keep pests away, and they smell divine. I avoid traditional mothballs, since they’re toxic and leave behind a terrible scent that lingers in your clothes. I learned this the hard way when I stored winter clothes and used a box of mothballs to protect them, and the stench never went away.
Treat your cashmere like the investment it is
When it comes to cashmere, a little extra care goes a long way. My approach is similar to what I recommend for cleaning or editing your closet: Don’t start when you’re tired, not feeling well, stressed, or in a hurry. You’re more likely to lose steam after a few minutes, which can lead to much more work if you end up throwing everything haphazardly in a container, out of frustration. Take the time to store cashmere properly, and like a trusted friend, it’ll always be there for you.
Mother-daughter duo Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk are the founders of The Style That Binds Us, a fashion platform that offers advice and styling services. Their mission is to give people of all ages the tools they need to feel empowered and uplifted by fashion. Before launching their brand, Alison was an in-demand personal stylist, and Delia interned at Versace and worked on the Barneys buying team.
