Caring for cashmere: washing, drying and pilling
A good care routine starts before the washbasin: does your cashmere jumper really need washing, or would airing it be enough? Washing after every wear skips that useful question. The care label, the condition of the garment and gentle handling should guide you.
The essentials: check the label, wash only when needed and support wet knitwear without stretching it. After washing, where permitted, dry flat. Remove small pills gently; on their own they are not a reliable verdict on a garment’s quality.
How often should you wash cashmere?
There is no fixed number of wears that suits every piece. A scarf worn over a coat is used differently from a jumper worn against the skin. Check for odours and marks. Airing may be enough after normal wear; stains and persistent odours need more targeted care. Cashmere maker Brora also recommends this restrained approach in its Cashmere Care Guide.
Hand wash or machine: what does the label allow?
The fibre name alone does not answer this. Construction and finishing matter too. Always read the particular garment’s label first. General online guidance does not override instructions for professional cleaning, and a wool cycle is not automatically suitable for every cashmere piece.
Woolmark likewise starts with the label in its wool washing guide. It covers wool in general and does not replace product-specific cashmere instructions.
Washing cashmere gently by hand
If the care label permits hand washing:
- Prepare clean, lukewarm water at the permitted temperature. Use a mild wool or cashmere detergent suitable for the garment, following its dosage instructions.
- Gently press the water through the knit. Avoid rubbing, pulling and vigorous wringing.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Support the wet garment when lifting it out so it does not hang under its own weight.
- Press out excess water gently and lay the piece flat to dry.
This advice on gentle movement and supporting wet cashmere follows Brora’s care guidance.
Why cashmere should dry flat
Wet knitwear carries extra weight. On a hanger or line, that weight can stretch the garment. Lay it on a clean, light-coloured surface, gently reshape it and let it dry naturally. Avoid direct heat; use a tumble dryer only if the individual label explicitly permits it. Woolmark explains the link between moisture, weight and loss of shape in its knitwear drying guide.
Does pilling mean poor quality?
Pilling means small balls of fibre forming on the surface. Friction encourages it, for instance under the arms or where fabric repeatedly rubs against other surfaces. Fibre length, yarn and fabric construction also play a part. A few pills alone do not establish a garment’s quality.
A suitable cashmere comb can help. Work gently without pressure, testing an inconspicuous area first on loose knits. Woolmark describes the causes of pilling and gentle removal methods. This does not amount to a guarantee that pills will never form.
A small everyday routine
Before the next wash, take a quick look: is the piece clean? Are there just a few pills? Is the label still readable? This separates three different tasks—freshening, cleaning and surface care—so you can treat the fabric as needed.
Find concise guidance at Aura Care. For a specific model, use the contact page; fibre composition and available variants appear on each product page.
Sources and context
Editorial date: 21 September 2026. Based on Brora’s cashmere care guide and Woolmark’s guidance on washing, drying and pilling linked above. These general recommendations do not imply certification of Aura products. The individual garment’s care label always takes priority.