How to Care for Cashmere So It Lasts More Than One Winter

Cashmere has a reputation for being delicate, which is partly why so much of it ends up pilled, stretched, or shrunk within a year or two. That's not really the fiber's fault — it's usually a care problem. A sweater that costs $148 to $298 (the range for J.Crew's cashmere crewnecks and cable knits, per its current cashmere shop listing) should realistically last a decade with the right routine. Treating it well isn't just about protecting the piece — it's one of the simplest ways to actually buy less over time.

Why Cashmere Care Is a Sustainability Issue

Every time a sweater gets ruined after one winter, it gets replaced, and that replacement cycle is where most of the environmental cost of clothing lives — not in the garment itself, but in how often it needs remaking. A $200 cashmere sweater worn for ten winters has a far lower cost-per-wear and footprint than a $40 acrylic sweater replaced five times over the same span. Learning to actually maintain cashmere is one of the few wardrobe habits that pays off financially and environmentally at the same time.

Hand-Washing, Done Properly

According to J.Crew's cashmere care guide, hand-washing is the gentlest option: fill a basin with cool water, add about a tablespoon of a glycerin-based, low-pH soap — a dedicated cashmere detergent or even baby shampoo works — and let the sweater soak for around five minutes. Gently roll and squeeze (never wring) to remove suds, then rinse in a second basin of fresh, cool water.

Turning the sweater inside out before washing protects the surface fibers from the agitation of the wash itself, which matters more for cashmere than for sturdier wools because cashmere fibers are shorter and finer, making them more prone to abrasion damage.

Drying Without Stretching It Out

This is where most cashmere actually gets ruined. Never hang a wet cashmere sweater — the weight of the water will stretch it permanently out of shape. Lay it flat on a clean towel, then roll the towel up with the sweater inside to blot out excess moisture. Unroll it onto a fresh, dry towel in its original shape and let it air-dry completely, which typically takes about 24 hours. Keep it away from direct heat sources like radiators, which can cause shrinkage and yellowing over time.

Storage Matters More Than People Think

Cashmere should always be folded, never hung — hanging stretches the shoulders and neckline out of shape within a season or two. Store folded sweaters in a dark, dry spot, ideally with cedar chips or dried lavender sachets to deter moths, which are drawn specifically to natural fibers like cashmere and wool. An airtight container or breathable garment bag adds another layer of protection during the off-season months.

Dealing With Pilling

Pilling happens from friction, not from poor-quality fiber — even very expensive cashmere pills if it rubs constantly against a bag strap or coat zipper. A cashmere comb or a fabric shaver, used lightly and in one direction, removes pills without damaging the knit. Reducing friction in the first place (rotating which coat you layer over a sweater, for instance) cuts down on how often you need to deal with it at all.

When to Actually Dry Clean

Hand-washing is gentler, but dry cleaning is worth using for visible stains that soap and water alone won't lift, since professional cleaning uses solvents that handle oil-based stains without the scrubbing that can damage fibers. If you do dry clean, ask specifically for a cashmere-safe process — some cleaners default to settings meant for sturdier wool.

Buying It Secondhand Cuts the Upfront Cost Too

The same math above holds whether the sweater is new or pre-owned — a well-cared-for cashmere piece still has years left in it no matter who wore it first. ThredUp's cashmere sweaters sell for a fraction of retail, and the care routine above works exactly the same way once it's yours.

The Bottom Line

None of this is complicated, but all of it matters. Hand-wash in cool water with a gentle soap, dry flat away from heat, fold instead of hang, and store with moth deterrents. A cashmere sweater cared for this way isn't a one-season purchase — it's a piece that earns back its cost many times over, which is really the entire point of buying something made to last.