Pashmina Care

With proper care, your pashmina can last a lifetime.

Pashmina is best washed by hand, on a very protective delicate/wool machine cycle or professionally dry-cleaned, the latter being the recommended.

Washing

To hand wash:

• Your pashmina scarf is easily handwashed in cold/lukewarm water using a mild wool detergent such as woolite or Farrlacey's soap free Wool Mix Detergent (link below) specially made for delicate items. Slight fulling is called for as the raised nap of your pashmina is weighed down by water. This is best done with an old style washing board, but be very gentle.
• The pashmina should then be rolled into a towel to press out excess water and then laid flat to dry to avoid creases.
• Gently stretch your pashmina into its original shape and allow it to airdry completely.
• If you wish to give your pashmina a more plush, soft texture use a very soft brush to tease the raised nap of the fabric (see Fulling below).

Removing creases

To remove creases from your pashmina either steam press or carefully iron with the added protection of a pressing cloth. However if it becomes badly wrinkled we advise having your pashmina dry-cleaned so as not to lose the vitality of the fabric. Do not put your pashmina in a tumble dryer.

Soaps and detergents for cleaning cashmere

Beware of soap! If you are unlucky and your pashmina gets a stain, do not scrub with soap as the alkaline pH value of soap can do permanent fluffed-up damage.

Farrlacey's specially formulated soap-free detergent

Pashmina care symbols

Fulling cashmere

Fulling is the process of fluffing up your garment to create the raised nap of the fabric. Excessive fulling of delicate fabrics such as cashmere, wool and silk can ruin them, usually by excessive pulling, soaking, scrubbing and general abrasive behavior of the common washing machine. A certain degree of fulling however is preferable to keep your pashmina in beautiful condition. Slight fulling also ensures a warmer and softer pashmina. This is a good pashmina care technique.

Asian nomads had a characteristic way of fulling or fluffing up their cashmere; before weaving it was stuffed under the horses saddle and ridden on all day ensuring warmer fabric and a not-so-sore riding bottom!

For merino care, please visit our merino wool care section.