With winter right around the corner, now’s the time to bring out your cozy cashmere sweaters from the back of your closet. Are you thinking about washing your cashmere? It’s important to know that cashmere can shrink. Before you take action, please read this blog. We’ll explain why cashmere shrinks, what happens during washing or drying, and how to unshrink your cashmere if it does.
Why Does Cashmere Shrink?
Cashmere can shrink for several reasons, mainly due to heat and mechanical forces.
First, let’s look at cashmere’s fiber structure. Under a microscope, you’ll see that cashmere fibers have a protective layer made of tiny overlapping scales. These scales can change shape with temperature, moisture, and external forces.
Cashmere is very absorbent, which means it can soak up a lot of water while cleaning or if it stays wet for too long. Moisture weakens the fibers and opens up those scales, making them more prone to damage.
When wet cashmere is subjected to external forces, friction occurs. This friction is called directional friction. Directional friction causes the fibers to tangle tightly, leading to a shrinkage effect known as felting. Furthermore, high temperatures can worsen this friction, resulting in irreversible shrinkage.
How Much Does Cashmere Shrink?
Cashmere shrinkage is usually lower than you might expect, typically between 1-3%. The higher the cashmere content, the lower the shrinkage.
Actually, cashmere products are often treated with an anti-shrink finish. This treatment smooths or removes the scales from the fibers, reducing friction. Besides, coating scales is also common to minimize shrinkage caused by the directional friction between scales.
Does Cashmere Shrink in the Wash?
Yes, cashmere can shrink when washed, particularly in hot water or while using a washing machine.
If the water temperature is too high, friction between the cashmere fibers will be greater, leading to significant shrinkage.
The agitation from machine washing also damages the scales, making them tangle and felt together, which is irreversible. Even the gentlest machine settings might cause shrinkage.
Actually, hand washing can lead to shrinkage too, especially with vigorous rubbing.
Does Cashmere Shrink Everytime You Wash It?
Typically, you might see about 1-3% shrinkage the first time you wash it.
After that initial shrinkage, if you take care to use the right detergent and choose the correct washing and drying methods, cashmere won’t shrink much more. In most cases, you won’t see any noticeable shrinkage at all.
How to Wash Cashmere Without Shrinking?
- Always use cold or lukewarm water below 20 degrees as hot water can shrink your cashmere.
- Use a cashmere-specific detergent or a gentle, neutral detergent; avoid alkaline detergents, as they can damage the shaping treatment used in the shaping process and cause deformation.
- Soak your cashmere for about 10 minutes, but don’t go over 15 minutes. While washing, gently stir with your hands — rubbing can cause pilling.
- Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any leftover detergent. After rinsing, use an absorbent towel to get rid of excess water.
Does Cashmere Shrink in the Dryer?
Yes, cashmere can shrink when you put it in the dryer. The high heat causes damp fibers to expand, and the constant tumbling increases friction. This friction makes the fibers intertwine more tightly, leading to shrinkage. As a result, cashmere shrinks, and the fabric can become thicker and stiffer, losing its soft and comfortable feel.
How to Dry Cashmere Without Shrinking?
The best way to dry cashmere is by laying it flat to dry in a ventilated space, away from direct sunlight.
Avoid directly hanging cashmere on hard hangers as this can leave marks on cashmere and stretch it.
Can You Fix Shrunken Cashmere and How to Unshirnk It?
Whether or not you can save a shrunken cashmere garment depends on how much it has felted, and if it has felted, chances are it can’t be saved.
While it is difficult to fix shrunken cashmere, there are detailed steps for you to unshrink cashmere with slight shrinkage at home.
- Mix a suitable amount of cashmere softener in lukewarm water. If you don’t have a softener, hair conditioner is fine too.
- Soak the shrunken cashmere in this lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. This helps loosen the tangled fibers.
- Don’t rinse the cashmere. Instead, lay it flat on an absorbent bath towel, roll it up, and press it to absorb excess water.
- Gently stretch the damp cashmere and secure it to a piece of cardboard with a suitable size. Stop stretching if you feel it is limited. Gradually stretching it helps keep the fabric from distortion.
- Set your iron to 160 degrees. As you iron, gently pull the cashmere to help it regain its original shape.
If you don’t have fabric softener or iron, or if you’re worried about making the shrinkage worse, consider taking it to professionals. They can steam the cashmere and restore its shape.
One thing to keep in mind is to be careful with products claiming to unshrink cashmere; they may unshrink cashmere effectively but meanwhile they damage the fabric as they dissolve its scales.
How to Shrink Cashmere?
Having said all that, you must now know how to shrink a cashmere garment. But please don’t do it in a hurry because in most cases we can’t control the shrinkage rate and it is very difficult to recover from shrinkage.
The safest way to shrink cashmere is by hand washing. You can use hot water during a proper washing procedure. Or simply extend the soaking time if you need more noticeable shrinkage.
If you’d rather use a washing machine, select a regular wash cycle and increase the water temperature. If the size is still bigger than you expected after the first wash and dry, you can give it another wash to reach the right size.
While using a dryer might seem effective, we don’t recommend it. Cashmere tends to shrink more in the dryer than you might expect and you can hardly fix it.
FAQs
Does 100% cashmere shrink?
Yes, 100% cashmere can shrink, but it typically shrinks much less than 100% wool. High-quality 100%cashmere garments rarely shrink with proper care.
Does cashmere get looser?
Yes, cashmere can stretch and become looser over time. To prevent this, don’t hang wet cashmere since gravity can lead to stretching. Lay it flat to dry and store it flat to help maintain its shape.
Does cashmere shrink in the rain?
Generally, rain won’t cause cashmere to shrink. However, once it gets wet, you should treat it gently to avoid friction and dry it as soon as possible.
Is it better to wash or dry clean cashmere?
It is better to dry-clean cashmere. Hand washing can be done, but you must follow the care label closely. Machine washing is likely to cause irreversible shrinkage.
How many times should I wear cashmere before washing?
Cashmere is naturally resistant to dirt and odors, so you don’t have to wash it frequently. Generally, you should wash it once every week or two weeks, or even just wash it once a season.
Which shrinks more, cashmere or wool?
Wool shrinks more than cashmere. This is because wool has a higher scale density, which leads to greater directional friction. As a result, wool has a higher shrinkage rate compared to cashmere.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding cashmere shrinkage is essential for anyone looking to maintain their luxurious garments. This blog has provided a comprehensive analysis of cashmere, including why it shrinks, how to wash and dry it properly, and what to do if it shrinks. With the right care, your cashmere can remain beautiful for many seasons. For more professional knowledge on fabrics and textile care, visit us at Sinosilk and deepen your knowledge about maintaining your favorite textiles.
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