Whenever we think of cashmere, we think of luxury. There’s something incredibly plush about cashmere, especially concerning clothes. They have a soft buttery feel that hugs your body just the right way! It’s no surprise that cashmere clothing is considered the pinnacle of high-quality clothing.
No matter how highly we regard cashmere clothing, they’re bound to depreciate and require some TLC. After such an investment, you undoubtedly want to safeguard your investment, which is why we’ve prepared this guide to help you know how best to maintain your cashmere clothing and repair it when necessary.
Holes in cashmere clothing
Ever seen a hole in your luxurious cashmere clothing and wondered where it came from? Well, it may be coming from poor handling. If you wear your clothing and then store it anywhere near sharp objects, you are to blame for the holes.
You could also handle it well and store it neatly in a closet, only to find holes. In this case, the most likely explanation is that you may have moths or another form of pest in your wardrobe. Well, whatever the case, you need not fret. You can patch any holes, and we’ll explain how
There are numerous ways to patch a cashmere hole in your clothing, most of which depend on your clothing’s fabric. Here are the instructions to take, step by step:
○ Darn Them
If your cashmere clothing has holes, you can fix them by darning them. To do this, close the holes using a needle and thread to weave through the hole. Although it takes some time, the technique is quite efficient.
○ Use a Bonding Agent
You could also use a product like Bondic to patch the holes. Bondic is a liquid plastic that becomes rigid when subjected to UV radiation. All you need to do is apply some on the area and expose it to UV light, which will cure and close the hole.
○ Patching
You could patch a hole in your cashmere clothing if it is too large to darn or patch it with Bondic. Cut a piece of fabric from a different item of clothing (or even an old blanket), then sew it around the hole by patching it inside. Make sure that the chosen fabric is comparable to the color and texture of your clothing.
Whatever method you choose, it is worth the effort to repair any holes in your cashmere garment rather than throwing them away.
○ Mending Holes
When mending a hole in your cashmere clothing, you need a matching yarn and embroidery needle. The yarn typically comes with your garment, but if you still need to, you can go to a store to get one that matches. This way, your patch matches the color of your clothing.
To repair the hole, turn the clothing inside out and place it on a flat surface like a table. Thread your needle with yarn but do not tie a knot at the end of it as you use to thread your embroidery needle. From here, carefully thread the needle through the knit loops while gently pulling the yarn.
Make sure you are sewing in two directions, the second covering the first. Once you have finished covering the hole, gently bring the two ends together and tie them.
○ Another method to patch holes?
For this one, you will need a pair of scissors, matching thread for the clothing, and a needle. Follow the following steps:
Step I: Turn your garment inside out.
Step II: Locate the hole and thread the needle, finishing with a knot.
Step III: With your needle, begin at one end of the hole and work around it.
Step VI: Pull the thread taut to shut the hole nearly all the way.
Step V: Close the hole’s edges by hand-sewing with very few stitches because they are less likely to show on the exterior of your clothing. Avoid large stitches; they’ll be seen.
Step VI: After stitching the hole shut, tie off the thread by re-looping your needle through the stitches you created.
○ What if all else has failed?
You can get professional help from a laundromat. Usually, they can patch holes in cashmere clothing. If you are unsure about your chances of success, kindly do not patch the hole, as you could damage it.
Stretched Cashmere Clothing
What if my cashmere clothing has stretched? Don’t fret; you can do a few things to try and solve the issue. Here are some
○ Cool Water
Before attempting anything, try handwashing the clothing in cold water. That may occasionally help the fibers contract, becoming firmer and aiding the clothing’s shape retention.
○ Stretching
You could also stretch the clothing back into form. For this one, put the garment on a flat surface and gradually tug the sides. Although this technique can help restore your cashmere clothing to its previous condition, it can require some time and persistence.
○ Freezing
Another way to solve this issue is to hang it from a strong hanger and freeze it overnight. The clothing will tighten up and regain shape thanks to the chilly environment.
○ Steaming
Light steaming is yet another method for keeping cashmere clothing’s form.
○ Dry Cleaning
If everything else fails, the last option would be to take your clothing to a reputable dry cleaner, and they will have the right tools and experience to clean and restore your cashmere clothing safely.
Pilling Cashmere
Many people with cashmere clothing face this problem. Typically, apparel looks wonderful the first time you wear it, only for those annoying pills to begin after a few times of washings or perhaps just a few wearings. The worst part about it is that it can be extremely difficult to remove them. Here are some ways to solve this issue:
○ Brushing Them Off
Cashmere clothing with pills can be removed using a clothing shaver or a lint brush.
○ Damp Cloth
Another option is to massage the tablets with a wet cloth gently. Use lukewarm water and a moderate cycle to wash your clothing. Never use hot water since it can shrink the fibers.
○ Keep Off Coarse Fabric
To stop your clothing from pilling in the first place, avoid wearing it with coarse fabrics like denim. Instead, stick to softer fabrics like silk or cotton.
Shrinking Cashmere
Help! My cashmere clothing shrank! Again, we’ve got just the answer to this problem. And don’t worry too much; every one with cashmere clothing has experienced this: it shrinks significantly after washing cherished clothes. Even though it’s upsetting, there are a few things you may attempt to save your garment. Here they are:
○ Clean It, Dry It, Then Tag at It
After noticing your clothing has shrunk, soak it in cold water, which helps loosen any dirt or debris stuck to the fibers. It would do you some good to add a baby shampoo or wool detergent to the water. After soaking the clothing for around 30 minutes, carefully squeeze the water out. Avoid twisting or wringing the clothing because doing so could harm the fibers.
Following this, lay the clothing flat on a dry towel, and to help remove any moisture, gently push the towel into the clothing. Try using a hairdryer on low mode to help hasten the drying process if the garment is still wet. Once completely dry, stretch it back into form by tagging at the sides.
○ Chop and Repurpose
If your cashmere clothing has shrunk significantly, to an extent beyond which you can not wear anymore, consider chopping the garment into smaller pieces to construct a scarf or cap. You could also repurpose it into a throw pillow.
Maintenance tips for cashmere clothes
To prevent damage to your cashmere clothing, follow these guidelines:
• Avoid heat. Cashmere is not a fan of heat. Use cold water and let your clothing air dry if you must wash it. Never wash cashmere in a machine that is hotter than 20°C. Don’t iron!
• Use jewelry with caution. Wearing your cashmere clothing requires taking off any sharp jewelry.
• Wear moderately. Avoid wearing cashmere too frequently because it is sensitive. You should only wear it at least once or twice every several weeks.
• Remove it with caution. When putting the clothing on and taking it off, avoid pulling it over your head because doing so could stretch the cloth.
• Store securely. When not in use, keep your cashmere clothing in a cool, dry location.
• Wash moderately, and rest for two to three days after washing it.
• Never expose cleaned clothing to direct sunshine to dry since the fibers could undergo unanticipated alterations.
• Repairs. Follow the instructions to fix any rips or tears in your cashmere.
Final Thoughts
Cashmere clothes are expensive, so you should handle them carefully. Luckily, with these simple maintenance and repair tips, your cashmere clothing can look good all year round!
