Care guide

Yak wool and cashmere need less washing than you think and more care when you do. Follow these steps and a piece will keep its shape and softness for many seasons.

Between wears

Air the piece after wearing it. Hang it over a chair for a night, or fold it loosely in a cool room. Animal fibres release odours on their own. Wash rarely: a few times a season is enough for a jumper worn over a shirt.

Washing

Turn the piece inside out.
Hand wash in cold water with a mild wool detergent. No bleach, no fabric softener.
Press the water gently through the fabric. Do not rub and do not wring.
Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear.
Roll the piece in a dry towel and press to take out the water.

Machine wash is not recommended. If you must, use the wool programme at 30°C or below, a mesh bag and the lowest spin, and accept some risk of shrinking.

Drying

Dry flat on a towel, away from radiators and direct sun. Reshape the piece while it is damp: pull the cuffs and hem back to size and straighten the shoulders. Never hang a wet knit; the weight stretches it. Do not tumble dry.

Ironing

Most pieces need no ironing after drying flat. If needed, steam, or iron on the lowest setting with a cloth between the iron and the fabric.

Pilling

Pure cashmere and yak wool form a few small pills at first, where the fabric rubs: under the arms, at the cuffs, under a bag strap. This is the short fibres working loose from the yarn. It settles after a few wears.

A cashmere comb comes with every garment (jumpers, cardigans, coats, dresses, skirts and trousers; not with socks or accessories). Use it: lay the piece flat and comb gently in one direction, a few strokes at a time. The comb lifts the pills without pulling the yarn, and a piece that is combed after the first wears keeps its surface for many seasons. Do not pull pills off by hand.

Storage

Store knits folded, never on a hanger. Store them clean: moths are attracted to skin oils and food traces, not to the fibre itself. For the summer, fold the piece into a cotton bag or a box with a cedar block or dried lavender.