How to Store Cashmere Sweaters: Tips to Keep Them Soft & Safe

Cashmere sweaters are nice investments in your wardrobe, though the fibers are delicate and will need special treatment. The question that most people ask themselves is: how do you store cashmere sweaters? The most important thing in preserving their softness, structure and general life is proper storage. Cashmere may lose its shape, form creases or even become a victim of moths unless the correct techniques are used.

Properly taken care of, cashmere is a garment that lasts years and is as comfortable as it was the day it was purchased. With simple tips on how to keep cashmere, you secure your investment at the same time ensuring your sweaters are soft, safe and easily available whenever you need them. We are going to look into some of the tips that have been tested to still make your cashmere look and feel good.

Why Proper Storage of Cashmere Is Important

Prevents Moth Damage

Poor storing attracts clothes moths which eat away wool fibers. Additionally, these pests are also famously difficult to get rid of once they are established. Just to mention an example, cedar blocks or sachets of lavender smell of money and repel cotton balls anyway. In brief, an efficient storage process prevents these larvae and secures the integrity of the fabric of the sweater.

Maintains Softness and Shape

In fact, when the cashmere is properly kept it will look and feel good. The method of storing and folding sweaters in a flat manner helps them to retain their original shape. On the contrary, hanging loosens the knit and bows shoulders out of shape with time. Whenever you fold your clothes around the seams, you avoid creases and maintain the structure of the fiber of the clothes to have a soft and well-shaped sweater.

Extends Sweater Lifespan

This means that by storing properly you will have a lot more years of use with every item. Indeed, professionals observe that maintenance of cashmere garments can help them to last years and become a permanent investment. Such an amazing longevity is due to the fact that it does not harm the person and does not damage the fiber because it is natural.

Saves Money in the Long Run

Cashmere clothes are generally costly, and it is worthwhile to take care of them. By maintaining every sweater in a good condition you extend its life and save money for future buying. That is, each season you save money by keeping cashmere fresh by storing it in the best way is a stretch on your wardrobe.

Should You Hang or Fold Cashmere Sweaters?

Stretching can be caused by hanging

Nevertheless, it might sound convenient to hang cashmere, which may cause damage. Hanging the sweaters on a hanger causes strain on the shoulders and the body of the knit. The fibers eventually drift down due to gravity thus creating bumps on the shoulders and loosened sleeves. Thus to preserve the shape of your sweater, do not hang it.

Folding Is the Best Option

Rather than hanging, cashmere sweaters should always be folded to store. Folding reduces the stress to the yarn and helps to maintain the elasticity. Indeed, professionals strongly recommend that cashmere garment should always always be folded rather than hanged. Because of this, this easy action is a major way of minimizing the chances of twisting your knitwear.

Folding Technique to prevent Creases

Cashmere needs to be taken care of even in its folded form. In particular, one should spread each sweater flat and fold it along the natural seams in order not to make sharp folds. Then, as you would with fabric or paper, pile up, or pin or stitch against the edge of a shelf or a drawer. By doing so, you can keep a tidy appearance by making small folds and not using tight ones to avoid the permanent wrinkles.

Preparing Cashmere for Storage

• Wash or Dry Clean First: It is also important to wash cashmere clothes prior to storing them. Clean fibers imply that there is no dirt or oils that attract moths. In particular, body oils and moth eggs are washed off (or professionally dry-cleaned). This preliminary measure is taken to guarantee that your sweaters will not become dirty in storage.
• Take off Pilling: Secondly, before storing the sweater, be sure there is no fuzz or pills. In particular, a cashmere comb or a soft brush is used to take off balls of fiber. Pills may get worse over time, thus taking them off at present allows the fabric to remain smooth.
• Keep it Totally Dry: Never keep wet cashmere. Wetness which is trapped in the knit encourages mildew and mold. Actually, be sure that every garment should be completely dry before folding. Fabrics remain dry and do not have any undesirable smell or destruction.

Best Ways to Store Cashmere Sweaters

Use Breathable Cotton Storage Bags

As a rule, it is always advised to store cashmere in permeable containers. As an example, a storage bag made of cotton or linen may be used to keep the air circulating and preventing the entry of dust and pests. It is fresh air that keeps things, so. In addition, it is advised by numerous people that high-quality cotton pouches or garment bags are recommended. Moreover, these kinds of breathable covers allow the fibers to breathe naturally as opposed to airtight plastic.

Keep in Dresser or shelves (Not Plastic)

In particular, do not use sealed plastic bins, but use a cool and dry drawer or shelf to store cashmere. Actually, fabric kept in inflexible containers may be crushed and distorted. In addition, plastic also traps humidity resulting in mildew. Rather, it is gently supported by open shelves or drawers. Ideally line a drawer with acid free tissue or place the sweaters on soft wood shelves to cushion against coarse surfaces.

Store out of the Sun and Humidity

As an illustration, cashmere should not be stored in an unstable environment in order to prevent its destruction by the environment. Similarly, pure sunlight bleaches and makes fibers weak and high humidity leads to mold. So, store cashmere in hot attics or in damp basements. In particular, a dark closet or a dark drawer in a temperature-controlled room would be good. Therefore, when sweaters are stored in a clean and climate controlled place, they remain beautiful.

How to Protect Cashmere Sweaters from Moths

Apply Natural Repellents (Cedar & Lavender)

Combat moths that are naturally deterred, e.g. Wood blocks, balls or sachets of cedar are particularly effective. Cedar has oils that moths do not like and therefore the use of cedar pieces in the process of keeping woolens safe is simple, and one can just put the cedar pieces along with the sweaters. Likewise, lavender or herbal sachets or herbal pouches (mint, thyme etc.) will add a pleasant aroma and prevent pests. Moreover, they are not using harsh chemicals and they protect your clothes.

Mothballs (they are Toxic)

Conversely, old fashioned mothballs may scare away insects, but at a very expensive cost. In fact, they are very strong chemicals which may leave a long lasting smell to cashmere. Interestingly, in one source it is specifically stated that mothballs should be avoided due to their toxicity. Rather, use cedar or lavender. These are natural and healthy, but mothballs have the possibility of passing a unpleasant smell or damaging the clothing.

Air Out Spaces on a regular basis

Lastly, mend and clean your put away clothes at regular intervals. Open bags or drawers regularly (every few months) and allow air to circulate. This usually keeps away stale and damp air and mustiness. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that stored sweaters be subjected to fresh air at least once per season by the experts. Finally, a short exposure to the air, either in the shade or in a windy room, will cool off the fibers and hopefully deter any unseen moth action.

Where to Store Cashmere Sweaters in Different Seasons

Winter (Ready-to-Wear Storage)

In the meantime, in winter, you will be wearing warm cashmere on a daily basis. Such as, store sweaters in convenient places and yet, guarded. In particular, store them on an arm-reach shelf, or in a closet. Thus, the regular frequency of wearing them means that you do not have to have a full long-term arrangement; it is only necessary to remember to fold them up after each time. Furthermore, it is okay to wash clothes after each individual wear in the case of a lightly used sweater. In this manner every piece of clothing can be kept in rotation and maintain its warm feel throughout the season.

Summer (Long-Term Storage Tips)

Likewise, cashmere sweaters, during the summer seasons, are normally placed under long-term storage. As an illustration, you can do what you would do during winter storage, that is, wash them, dry them, and fold them. And also set them in a cool dark place. Preferably, a cedar chest or breathable storage bin used during the off season. Lastly and most important, always fold (never hang) and trim with cedar or lavender. Effectively, this keeps the cold-weather knits clean, dry and moth-free until you need it again.

Packing Safely (Travel Storage)

To start with, cashmere should be packed very well when traveling in order to reduce wrinkles or damage. Or, to take an example, roll or loosely fold each sweater in a small soft packing cube or pouch. Clothes can be packed in cube-shaped packs to fit but not too tight to allow the sweater to breathe. Similarly, do not pile up heavy objects on the cashmere. But when you put your vacuum bags on, do it very sparingly–too much compressing of wool may put a deep crease in it. Finally, store cashmere in a bag, which allows air to go through or on the top of your luggage to avoid getting spoilt until you unpack.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Cashmere

Hanging rather than folding: As mentioned, hanging has the potential to stretch the knit. Do not keep cashmere on hangers in the long-run.

Storing in plastic bags/containers: This is the same as the previous point of not using non-breathable plastic. Plastic will retain moisture and may accommodate moths or moulds.

Storing damp clothes: It is never advisable to store a damp sweater. Humidity can cause the mildew development, as well as fiber destruction.

Not understanding the importance of moth protection: Last but not least, it is not a good idea to forget about cedar or repellents. Moths breed in the uncleaned wool, and thus not applying deterrents will normally lead to holes and damaged clothes.

Extra Tips for Long-Term Cashmere Care

Rotate your cashmere: An example would be to take a break between wears of your cashmere. This does not allow any one sweater to get too worn out.

Use a sweater comb: In addition, carefully pick pills off with cashmere comb or fabric shaver. Pilling can be eliminated to make fibers soft and tidy.

Refresh with steaming: Once again, when your cashmere appears a little flat, steam it rather than ironing. Lightness of steam stimulates fibers and flattens wrinkles, without using aggressive heat.

Conclusion-

Finally, cashmere sweaters can be kept in proper storage to maintain their luxurious quality and allow them to last longer. Bringing clothes neatly, washing and drying, and using natural repulsive, you prevent any damage or infestation of the fibers. After all, these professional secrets will ensure that your cashmere remains soft, bright, and wearable at every season of the year. Now you have a guide on the proper way of storing cashmere sweaters. Think of them as an investment, and you will be able to count on the coziness and the warmth of the sweater in the coming years.

Read More>> About What is cashmere made from.

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