Can You Iron Cashmere? Dos, Don’ts, and Safer Alternatives

The question that many people ask is, is it possible to iron cashmere? The short cut answer is yes, by extreme caution. Cashmere is a very sensitive fabric in the world. The fine fibres are easily destroyed by heat, friction or pressure. Unprotected direct ironing can flatten the fibres, producing shiny marks or causing irreparable damage.

There are high risks associated directly with ironing cashmere. The heat has the ability to break its natural composition and the fabric becomes hard and inelastic. Cashmere does not react so much to high temperatures and pressure like cotton or linen.

This is the reason why steaming is usually preferable. Steam loosens the fibers without applying intense heat which causes wrinkles to loosen. It retains the feel, shininess and lavish softness of cashmere to be used longer.

Can You Iron Cashmere?

Cashmere can be ironed on a very low level with protections. When you need to iron out a crease, then use the wool or silk (low) setting of the iron and place a cloth covering on it. The iron should never be left to rest on the cashmere. Most authorities specifically recommend not to press hard but to hoover the iron or to apply steam. Even at that time, it is always good to first put it on a concealed spot to ensure the heat will not damage the fibers. So, although you can iron cashmere in an emergency, it must be handled with special care not to be damaged.

What Makes Cashmere Delicate

Nature of Cashmere Fibers

Cashmere is the fine undercoat of goats, and is valued due to its smooth and fine fibers. The single strands have a diameter of just a few micrometers. This supreme fineness makes cashmere very soft and light. Nevertheless, it implies that the fibers are also easily crushed or flattened under the influence of heat and pressure, and therefore, they need to be handled carefully.

Why It does not wrinkle as easily as other fabrics.

Amazingly, cashmere is resistant to wrinkles naturally. The natural loft and elasticity of the fiber allows clothing to tend to bounce back. As a matter of fact, cashmere is non-wrinkling and therefore it is perfect travel wear. Provided that cashmere is washed, dried and stored properly, the wrinkles are not formed easily. However, any creases which are formed must be handled carefully due to the fragile fiber.

The reason why heat may harm the fibers.

The cashmere can be permanently changed in appearance and feel by direct heat. Heat may fuse or burn the protein fibers resulting in a loss of strength and compliance. The knit can be bent or warped even by excess steam coming to touch it. To conclude, cashmere fibers are delicate either in wet conditions or when exposed to heat; heating them too hard makes the yarns straight resulting in the destruction of the texture of the fabric.

Safe Ways to Remove Wrinkles from Cashmere

Steaming vs. Ironing.

The wrinkles are softened by vapor using a handheld steamer. All you need to do is to hang the cashmere garment and take the steamer at the top to bottom. As steamers do not create hot spots, they do not burn the fabric as much, as they release moist heat. According to one of the guides, in contrast to an iron, steamers remove the danger of scalding and swelling wool and cashmere. The cashmere fluffy is also not flattened due to steaming.

Hanging in a Steamy Bathroom

You can shower steam even in the absence of a steamer. The cashmere sweater should be hung in the bathroom and it needs to be in the bathroom when you are taking a hot shower (door closed). The hot humid atmosphere will assist the fibers to unwind and straighten out wrinkles even without using chemicals. This is an easy trick to use against light creases. Then, find a way to shape the garment with your hands and leave it to dry in a flat position.

Light Pressing using Cool Iron + Pressing Cloth.

Cashmere can be ironed carefully in case you do not have a steamer. Always place a clean, damp cotton cloth or a pressing cloth over the sweater and always use the lowest (wool) setting of the iron. Do not press hard, slide the iron or raise it very often to avoid accumulation of heat. This sandwich process ensures that the wool is not directly exposed to heat. Moreover, reverse the clothing inside-out, which also provides it with an additional protection.

Laying Flat to Smooth Wrinkles.

An extremely mild trick is to just to lay the cashmere flat and re-shape it. Cashmere should be washed and then dried on a towel to avoid creasing and stretching. When the sweater is a bit wrinkled, wet your hands and flatten the cloth on a surface. Minor wrinkles will be relaxed by the influence of gravity and time. By thus not hanging you prevent the weight of the wet fiber also, causing distortion.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ironing Cashmere Safely

In cases where pressing is required, be careful to take the following steps:

• Laying the cashmere sweater: Lay the sweater on the ironing board with an inside facing out. Make sure it is not too dry (can be sprayed with water). Make sure that the cashmere is clean and there is no dirt or debris. This keeps a shine or scorch away and guard the knit.
• Setting the iron temperature (lowest setting): Now, put in the iron and select the wool or lowest heat/silk option. Always set it on a lower heat in order to avoid scorching. Allow the iron to get hot and then trial it on a conspicuous part and then use it.
• Placing a wet fabric between the iron and the cashmere: Then, put a clean and wet cotton cloth or pressing cloth on top of the sweater. This barrier will trap up any excess heat and moisture, and will avoid any metal-to-fabric contact. Never place the iron on the cashmere.
• Pressing vs. sliding the iron: Lastly, use light pressure and maintain constant movements of the iron. Move the iron all over the fabric straight. Press and lift the iron (press-and-release), instead of sliding back and forth. Avoid lingering in one spot. When you are using the steam option, allow the bursting of the steam through the cloth to loosen up the wrinkles.

Alternatives to Ironing

Other methods of keeping cashmere smooth are simpler than steaming:

Steaming (Garment Steamers or Handheld Steamers)

The best option of de-wrinkling cashmere is through steaming. A handheld or travel steamer is a gadget that removes creases without direct contact with the fibers, instead depending on the help of only warm moisture.

Folding and Storing Properly to Prevent Wrinkles.

Cashmere knits should always be folded and not hung. Also folded sweaters that are kept flat will retain their shape and remain smooth. To travel, even to store, put tissue paper between folds to cushion the material even more.

Wrinkle-Release Sprays.

The other no-heat solution is wrinkle-release spray. Most creases can be smoothed without ironing by a quick mist on the cashmere then by a gentle smoothing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cashmere can be destroyed easily even with the slightest mistakes. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Ironing on cashmere: The hot iron should never be placed directly on the cashmere. The soft fibres can be scalded or flattened on direct contact. Always use a cloth barrier.
• High heat: High heat is a killer of cashmere. Excess heat will burn the fibers and even reduce the size of the sweater. Always use the lowest wool level.
• The use of excessive force: This may deform the fibers when pushing the iron down, and may twist the knit. Rather, apply light and gentle movements and do not press. Allow the steam (of an iron or steamer) to work out the wrinkles.
• Wet cashmere: Never use wet or damp cashmere to hang up in order to dry it. The garment will be strained and distorted by the weight of the water. Rather, it is always important to dry a sweater lying flat, and then re-shape it when wet.

How to Keep Cashmere Wrinkle-Free

Correct Storage (Folding vs. Hanging)

Store your cashmere sweaters in shelves or in drawers. This eliminates creases in shoulders and hanging creases. When you have to hang a cashmere jacket or coat, a padded hanger is to be used. Overall, cashmere is a knitwear and it should be flat in order to maintain its shape.

Using Storage Bags

To store cashmere during the off-season, put cashmere in breathable cotton bags or pillowcases. Naturally, cedar blocks or lavender sachets are moth repulsive and will help keep your sweaters safe. Placing all the pieces in a tissue paper can also protect the fabric and keep off creases when storing.

Packing Tips for Travel

Fold cashmere loosely using a tissue paper when travelling to avoid wrinkles. You can put them in a garment folder or a packing cube to keep them flat and safe in you luggage. A large number of travelers discover that cashmere has natural wrinkle protection, which makes it an excellent traveling knit. Nonetheless, it will be delivered hassle free and ready to put on after careful packing.

Cashmere Care Basics

In addition to ironing, also keep in mind the following cashmere care needs:

Washing cashmere properly (hand wash or dry clean): the majority of the cashmere may be hand washed in cool water using a mild wool soap. Or, use wool/delicate on cold. It is also possible to use dry cleaning in case you would like to be taken care of professionally. Always use little mild soap and no bleach.

How to dry cashmere safely (never wring, always just lay flat): Wringing After washing, squeeze a lot of water out of it (do not twist or wring). Wring the sweater in a towel to dry it, and roll it out, spreading it on a flat surface to dry. On drying the garment, re-shape it to keep its shape. DO NOT hang a wet sweater or operate a machine dryer.

Storing cashmere for long-term use (moth protection): You need to wash your cashmere before you put it away out of season, to take away body oils and other stains that can attract moths. Store in a cool dry place folded. To keep away insects, add cedar blocks, lavender sachets or other natural repulsives. When your cashmere is stored properly, it will not lose its softness and shape over the years.

Conclusion-

So, can you iron cashmere? Yes, but with most caution, and the proper precautions. Always set the lowest heat, always use a wet pressing cloth and never move the iron about. Steaming is the best and safest way of releasing wrinkles without damaging the fragile fibers. Cashmere will look perfect when properly folded, stored when it is breathable, and handled gently. Thoughtful attention will keep your sweaters soft, luxurious and beautiful many years to come.
Read More>> Is cashmere wool warm?.

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