They’re worth the investment – IF you know how to make them last! Here’s how to care for luxury fibres naturally
By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
Whether it’s a whisper of cashmere, a puff of fluffy alpaca or a slip of a silky blended knit, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a soft, luxurious sweater against naked skin. But do you know how to wash your knitwear naturally? Few of us, it seems, know how to care for luxury fibres naturally.
The result? Shrunken sweaters that would only fit your dog, annoying balls of lint that collect under your armpits, or horror of horrors – moth holes peppering your favourite jumper.
No one knows luxury fibres quite like our friends at cashmere specialist store Chinti and Parker, so we asked them for some tips on how to care for natural sweaters, without having to risk exposure to toxic chemicals from the dry cleaners. Our Care Guide is also beautifully illustrated with Chinti and Parker’s ethically sourced cashmere styles. Most natural fibres have the same care requirements as cashmere, but there are a few tricks, tips and exceptions, so we’ve laid them out for you with each material listed separately.
Image below: @lunaresvintage
How To Care For Luxury Fibres Naturally
Cashmere
Chinti and Parker specialise in ethical cashmere. They suggest you hand wash sweaters after every three to four wears, using a delicate liquid detergent in a cold or lukewarm temperature. Avoid washing powders that can get stuck in the delicate fibres. Never use fabric softeners! Instead, use a mild organic shampoo or a gentle, low-alkaline soap like Dr Bronner’s.
Soak your jumper for quarter of an hour in warm (not hot) water. Rinse it using warm water, squeezing the excess water out, but never wring the item. Be very careful not to stretch the fabric. Place a light-coloured towel around the garment and roll the it together with the towel to remove any remaining water. Then, lay the item to dry in its natural shape, so you won’t need to iron it. In fact, never iron cashmere!
Cashmere Storage
Store your cashmere – and all natural fibre garments – only when it’s 100% clean. Moths love to eat our dead skin cells, sweat and hairs, trapped in the fibres and think it’s a great place for them to lay their eggs (ew, right?)
Keep sweaters in a drawer or box with cedar balls, clove, rosemary or lavender sachets, to protect them from any nasty hungry moths. Just remember that if you can’t smell the herbs, they’re too old to do their job: ensure the scent is pungent, as that’s what moths hate.
Moths also hate sunlight. So every month or so, take your cashmere stuff out and give it a good shake (to get rid of any potential moth eggs) and lay them out in a sunbeam. If you see holes forming in your clothing, you’ll need to put the garments in plastic bag and stick them in the freezer for at least three days to kill off any living moth eggs or larvae. Then, remove the bags from the freezer and wash the clothes as above.
To store garments during different seasons, plastic zip storage bags are recommendable for moth prevention. If you have a lot of cashmere in your wardrobe, it may be worth investing in a cedar chest to store your garments – these also look lovely at the foot of the bed!
Image: OkChicas
Alpaca
Alpaca fleece has been around for millennia. The ancient Incan kings recognised its unique qualities and christened it ‘the fibre of the gods’. Although alpaca clothing can last for years, only few people truly take care of it properly. Here’s how to care for luxury fibres from alpacas.
Alpaca is amongst the strongest, softest, lightest and most sustainable of wools, because it is naturally free of lanolin and other oils found in sheep’s wool. No harsh chemicals are needed to process alpaca fibre, making alpaca ranching 100% natural and safe for the environment. Cleaning alpaca clothing is similar to the cashmere procedures mentioned above. Use warm or cold water, mild liquid detergent, no bleach, and soak for no more than 5-10 minutes. You then gently squeeze the suds through the garment and rinse it clean, then lay it out flat to dry.
Moths adore alpaca fleece, so store your woolly items in a wardrobe of insect-repelling cedar. You can store your sweater in a clean pillow case or cardboard box. This will keep the air circulating around the garment. Never store your sweaters in plastic or dry cleaning bags, as this will cause moisture to build up and ruin the fibres. Remember that like most knit garments, this material is better folded than hung, to prevent stretching and distortion.
Angora
Angora is a type of wool obtained from the fur of the angora rabbit, which why it’s so lusciously soft. However, please ensure you source your sweater from an ethical brand, as many brands use Chinese fibers, which are brutally torn from the skin of living bunnies!
One wonderful quality of angora is that it can be worn by people who are allergic to other types of animal fibres. Follow the instructions given above for cashmere for washing and drying.
Angora garments can be folded or hung. If you choose the latter be very careful in hanging sweaters, if you don’t want your jumper to develop hanger humps. Never store in plastic bags, as this kind of wool won’t be able to breathe. Use a special sweater bag and don’t forget to place cedar near the zipper and hanger openings on the bag. If you’re meticulous with your angora maintenance, your garment should last a lifetime and you can pass it on to the next generation.
Image:grinarae.com
Merino Wool
Wondering how to care for luxury fibres from Merino wool? This is a bit easier than other fibres!
Chinti and Parker advise you can wash this material on a normal warm or cool machine wash cycle with regular powder or liquid detergent. As with a regular wash, separate lights and darks and wash them inside-out. But in this case, opt for wool detergents that don’t contain softeners or bleach. Once the washing is over, line dry your items. Obviously, never tumble dry them – you wouldn’t want your sweater to shrink down three sizes! Personally, I like to wash my merino woolens in a pillowcase, so they don’t lose their shape.
Merino is one of the tastiest wools for moths, so don’t forget to inundate your closet with lavender or cedar balls! Follow the same anti-moth rules as for cashmere. You may also want to store your garments in plastic storage bags placing pellet packets in each bag. If you do, it’s best to air out the sweater a day before wearing it, to completely eliminate any odours.
Now, let’s talk about pilling and stains. Pills – those little bobbles of fabric that collect around the armpits of natural fibre sweaters – are a sign of quality. In fact – they indicate a natural material. It’s worth investing in an electric debobbler or a wool comb to get rid of them. But you can also use a razor to gently shave them off. As for stains, if you spill anything on your clothing, try getting it out first with cold water and a gentle stain remover, and wash as above. If that doesn’t work, you may have to take it to a dry cleaner.
Image: @thebazilika
Mohair
Mohair is one of the most expensive and refined wools. It’s so sensorially exquisite, it’s worth the investment! Here’s how to care for luxury fibres of mohair.
Mohair must be washed by hand with no twisting or wringing involved, using just a few drops of wool soap in lukewarm water. After you gently move the fabric around in the water and lightly squeeze it out, lay it out to dry naturally on a towel. Do this away from the sunlight, since UV rays may fade the colour and weaken the fibres.
Like the other fabrics mentioned above, mohair is susceptible to damage by moths. Therefore, it must be stored with lavender or cedar balls when it’s clean, as soiled fibres provide food that attracts the evil pests. Avoid storing mohair in plastic because it needs to breathe. It’s better to place loosely folded fabric in a cotton bag or pillowcase, then store it on a shelf in a cool, dry area. Remember never to hang mohair because the rubbing of the hangers wears the fabric.
Other images: Chinti and Parker
- The Best Organic Underwear Brands For Every Day - April 2, 2024
- What Happens To Unsold Clothes Is Shocking! - March 24, 2024
- Our Best Eco Friendly Laundry Tips - March 17, 2024
