Drying a Cashmere Sweater: The Modalova Guide

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If you want to know how to wash a cashmere sweater optimally before drying it, we have created a mini guide to help you!

Drying a cashmere sweater or a cardigan made of pure goat wool can be quite a puzzle. This is because the fiber of this material is quite fragile. Therefore, it is essential to avoid distorting its stitches or compromising its softness during washing and drying.

Caring for cashmere fabric is not easy. You need to be careful not to pill the textiles during washing and drying. But don’t worry, Modalova suggests some behaviors to avoid and adapt to properly maintain your woolen sweater.

Here are some tips to dry your knit sweater without damaging it.

Drying a cashmere sweater with an absorbent cloth

The first essential tool: an absorbent cloth. After rinsing your sweater, take a cotton towel. It has the ability to absorb the water from your pullover. To do this,

• Lay the towel on a flat surface;  
• Spread your wool garment flat on the cotton towel. It will then draw the water from the knit without creating pills.

This method maintains the delicacy and softness of your textile.

•  Let it air dry in a well-ventilated area and at low temperature to avoid straining the fibers of the goat wool sweater. 

You can also use two absorbent cloths:

• Spread the first towel and your washed knit like in the first method;
• Then cover it with the second;
• To properly wring out, press down on the towel to absorb as much water as possible.

Some actions and tools must absolutely be avoided to keep your goat wool’s softness at its maximum.

• Twisting your cashmere knit: Your delicate laundry risks becoming misshapen.

Just like rough hand washing and improper machine washing, this will widen it due to the twisting applied.
The armholes of your long-sleeved sweaters will also become much wider.

• Using a clothesline: Being soaked and saturated with water, your clothes become heavy.

As a result, they deform by stretching.

• Using a hanger: Not only does it stretch your pullover, but it also distorts its collar.

Especially for high-neck sweaters, boat necks, round necks, U-necks, and turtlenecks.
It tends to turn the neckline into a hood or even a shawl collar.

• Spreading it out: If you spread your little sweater, you will end up with a dress or a tunic because it stretches.
• The dryer: The heat it provides alters the quality of cashmere.

Moreover, it causes it to shrink. It is also likely to felt your wool and cashmere knit or even fade its colors.

Avoid surfaces that are too hot and those in direct sunlight. Indeed, heat creates lint on delicate weaves and frays the natural fibers of textiles.

Drying a cashmere sweater with an iron.

Pressing can be effective and quick for drying delicate fabrics. For this process, equip yourself with a clean cotton cloth or a thick absorbent fabric of your choice.

Be careful, no vertical iron that requires hanging your knit. Always lay the wet cashmere flat.

Here are the steps to follow to dry a cashmere sweater with an iron.

• Lay your washed sweater flat on the ironing board.
• Then place the cloth over your sweater.
• Set the iron to a high temperature suitable for durable fabrics like denim or linen.

Do not worry, the cloth will protect your sweater, and a high temperature will not burn it.

• The cloth then absorbs some of the water contained in the sweater. 
• Then begin to press firmly with steam bursts. The heat causes the moisture to evaporate.
• To properly dry your cashmere, remember to turn it over on both sides. 

This process is also effective when ironing your sweater. However, if you use the absorbent cloth method, you won’t need to iron.

Indeed, a good layout keeps your sweater smooth while it dries between the towels.

Another drying method with a cloth may be more effective. You need two cloths. Position the cloths and the goat wool sweater like a sandwich: Cloth – sweater – cloth. Then, press as in the previous method.

You can also skip the cloths. That said, make sure to set your iron correctly. Set it to the wool or silk program for gentler heat to avoid shrinkage and maximum damage to fragile fabrics.

Begin to gently and softly press your sweater while emitting steam bursts.  If your sweater pills due to improper care, use white vinegar or glycerin and a razor to shave off the frayed fibers.

To go further, we offer you a step-by-step guide to unfelt your favorite cashmere sweater so you won’t have to buy a new one!