How to Care for Merino & Cashmere

Say goodbye to stains and fuzz balls. All it takes is a little TLC to restore your merino and cashmere sweaters to their former glory.

Falling temperatures can only mean one thing: sweater weather. For knitwear devotees (and we count ourselves among them), it doesn’t get more luxurious than cashmere and merino. Cashmere is made from the undercoat of cashmere goats, while merino comes from a specific breed of fine-wool sheep. The yarns are soft and incredibly sensuous. They’re also an investment, which is why caring for your knits doesn’t only help extend their lives—it also makes good financial sense.

See our simple steps for keeping your sweaters in like-new condition, this season and in the years to come.

1. SKIP THE DRY CLEANER

Here’s a little secret: When it comes to wool, you can generally ignore the dry clean only label. Not only is dry cleaning expensive, but the harsh chemicals can actually weaken fibers and shorten the life span of your sweaters.

When should you take your clothes to the dry cleaner? If the garment is particularly delicate, includes embellishments like sequins or beading, or is heavily stained, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

2. PRETREAT STAINS

So you’ve just spilled red wine on your cashmere sweater? Don’t panic, but do act quickly—the sooner you treat the stain the more successful you’ll be at removing it.

For fresh stains, place your sweater under cold running water until the stain lifts.
For set-in stains, try a wool-safe stain remover (we swear by this one). Soak in cold water for 10 minutes and hand wash as usual.

3. BANISH ODORS

When your sweaters smell less than fresh (think sweat, campfire smoke or mildew), the solution is sitting right in your pantry: distilled white vinegar.

Fill a basin with cold water and one cup of white vinegar. Soak for an hour, then hand wash.

4. HAND WASH COLD

Fill a basin or sink with cold water and add a mild soap (we like Tangent GC Sugar Cashmere Detergent). Gently swirl your garment and let it soak for 10 minutes before rinsing. For more detailed instructions, click here.

5. DRY FLAT

Merino and cashmere fibers lose elasticity when wet, so never hang knits to dry or you may end up with a shapeless, stretched-out cardigan.

Instead, lay damp knits on a clean towel and roll as you would a yoga mat, pressing out excess water as you go. Unroll, reshape your sweater and allow it to dry flat (click here for a step-by-step guide).

6. GIVE A GOOD SPRITZ

The best way to keep your sweaters looking great is to wash only when necessary—once every 7-10 wears is a good rule of thumb. To refresh between washes, spritz with a fabric-safe spray or gently steam, which helps kill odor-causing bacteria.

8. REMOVE PILLS

Pilling happens when fibers rub together and fray. High-quality cashmere and merino pill less than lower-grade fibers, but even the most luxurious knits will develop fuzz over time.

The good news? It takes only a few minutes to restore your sweaters to like-new condition. Simply lay your garment flat and gently brush the surface with a sweater stone or pilling brush. Trust us, it's incredibly satisfying.

7. STORE OFF SEASON

It’s a fact: Moths love wool. Storing your (clean!) clothes in breathable canvas storage bags in the off season is one of the best ways to prevent sweaters from becoming moth food.

Want to know more about preventing clothes moths? Click here to read our tips.