At Pantherella we use the finest quality fibres in the world to make your socks. Such special materials require extra special care so we’d like to share with you our simple guide to keep your cashmere socks looking their best
PreWash
- Cashmere is a very delicate, luxury fibre and as such, should be treated with extra care
- Cashmere socks should be only ever be worn with a moccasin, soft loafer or comfy slipper. Excessive wear will occur if wearing ‘Hard Shoes’ such as dress shoes, court shoes or boots
- Try to keep your cashmere socks away from rough items, jewellery, zips etc. These items can cause pilling, snagging, or even holes
Hand Wash
- Always follow the product care label instructions
- Do not machine wash - Even on a ‘Delicates’ setting the action of tumbling around in the drum will cause cashmere fibres to bulk, tangle and felt
- Do not Dry Clean - Dry Cleaning can remove many of the natural conditioners within the cashmere fibres and leave them feeling harsh and brittle
- Always use a non-biological hand washing or specialist cashmere washing liquid.
- Wash similar colours together
- Do not use any type of bleach or stain removal activators as these will damage the cashmere fibres
- Do not soak your socks for longer than 5 minutes
- Avoid rubbing and scrubbing your cashmere socks as this can damage the delicate fibres
- Rinse well in warm water
- Do not wring or twist your socks, instead, gently squeeze out excess water
Post-Wash
- Dry your socks as soon as possible to avoid them developing a ‘damp’ odour
- Do not tumble dry
- Gently reshape your socks while they are damp
- Dry the socks flat, away from direct heat or direct sunlight. Never hang them to dry, as this can cause them to stretch
- Do not iron or press your socks
Storage
- Do not ’ball’ your cashmere socks to store as this will damage the fibres in the yarns, add excessive stretch to the rib-top and can lead to premature wear. Instead softly roll a pair of cashmere socks ‘roulade style’ and store in your sock drawer
- Cashmere is, unfortunately, very attractive to clothes moths. To keep moths at bay, place cedar balls or lavender bags in your sock drawer
Cashmere socks FAQ
Why is cashmere so special and expensive?
The ultimate in luxury hosiery, cashmere socks are exquisitely soft and approximately three times warmer than socks made from sheep’s wool.
Cashmere is one of the finest natural fibres in the world and is obtained from the hair of Cashmere goats whose coat is made up of two distinct layers – the outer layer (guard hair) and the undercoat (cashmere). The guard hair is coarse and waterproof, which serves to protect the goat (and the undercoat). The undercoat is ultrafine, soft and an excellent insulator, to protect the goat from the extreme cold.
Only the soft, ultrafine undercoat is used to produce cashmere. In spring, as the goats moult for summer, they are combed by hand to remove their ultrafine undercoat, while leaving the guard hair intact. These combings are then washed and sorted to remove any stray guard hairs. What is left is pure cashmere. This laborious process results in a fibre that is exceptionally exquisite and rare. It therefore commands a higher price than more easily obtained fibres.
Our leisure weight cashmere yarn is woollen spun using the finest grade of cashmere knitted with nylon to give extra durability and stretch. It takes approximately 6 goats to produce enough fibre to make one dozen pairs of Pantherella short cashmere socks.
Why do cashmere socks 'bobble'?
Bobbles or bobbling, (technically referred to as pilling) is a natural process that happens to all natural fibres during their service in a garment. Natural fibres are made into yarn by combing the fibres so the lay in the same orientation and then twisting them together. This will always mean the odd fibre will ‘stick out’ of the yarn. During wear, these odd fibres can knot together and bobble or pill. The level of pill will depend on the type of dye/shade, the knitted construction and the way the socks have been worn. It is completely normal that this should happen because cashmere is such a soft, ultrafine yarn. It is not a result of washing, but can be exaggerated by the use of conditioners.
Bobbles can be easily removed by hand or by using a special cashmere comb or de-fuzz device. You will find that by removing them in this way after the first few wears and washes, the cashmere socks will actually consolidate and soften in handle and touch. Like any fine wine, cashmere will improve with age if cared for properly.
FAQs
3. Ignore what the label says. Because it's a delicate yarn, many cashmere items are labeled “Dry Clean Only.” But cashmere comes from goats, and goats' fur–like human hair–gets fluffier and more lustrous after it's washed. By contrast, dry cleaning* will damage and break down the fibers over time.
Can I wash cashmere in the washing machine? ›
Yes you can wash cashmere. Hand wash cashmere or with machine-washable cashmere put on a wool or delicate cycle with a cashmere shampoo or mild detergent at a maximum temperature of 30 degrees. Turn your cashmere jumpers inside out before machine washing to preserve their softness.
Can I put cashmere in the dryer? ›
The Basics of Caring for Cashmere
Cashmere can also be washed in a washing machine, provided some precautions are taken. Cashmere should not, however, be dried in a dryer. To prevent shrinking, fraying, or pilling, always air-dry cashmere.
Can I use vinegar to wash cashmere? ›
A dash of white vinegar in the rinsing water can also act as a natural softener. You can also add a tiny amount of vinegar in the washing process to help the detergent to lather if you live in a hard water area. Will cashmere shrink if washed? Only if you use hot water at any point in the process.
What ruins cashmere? ›
Never ever put cashmere or wool knits in the dryer, and avoid drying near a heat source like a radiator, all of which causes shrinkage, damage, and dehydration.
Is Woolite ok for cashmere? ›
As cashmere is a natural fibre, some pilling will take place so we recommend washing your garments after they have been worn two or three times. Simply hand wash it in cool water with a touch of soap. It is best to use cashmere/wool specific detergents like Woolite.
What is the best detergent to wash cashmere with? ›
What you need. Wool wash or baby shampoo: Soak, a no-rinse detergent, will save you time and effort when you're hand-washing cashmere and other delicates. Baby shampoo is also gentle enough to use on cashmere. A clean sink or other water basin: It needs to be large enough to soak your sweater.
Can I wash cashmere with Dawn dish soap? ›
Warm water is ok, so long as it truly is warm and not hot. To play it safe, we recommend cold water. USE DAWN TO SPOT-CLEAN YOUR CASHMERE.
How many times can you wear cashmere before washing? ›
How often should you wash cashmere? Unlike your other winter gear, cashmere should be washed just once or twice during the season, especially if you're only wearing the sweater on special occasions. Excessive washing can lead to damage, such as shrinkage and pilling.
Does cashmere shrink every time you wash it? ›
However, because of the delicate nature of the material, cashmere can easily shrink when it is accidentally thrown into the wrong wash cycle.
Shape resilience - Quality cashmere does not shrink when washed correctly, and will retain shape better than wool over the years. Durability – The best cashmere jumpers can last 10 years when the right care is given to the garment. It is not uncommon to hear of people wearing cashmere jumpers from their grandparents.
How to refresh a cashmere sweater? ›
Instead, reach for a steamer. "Some wools, like a lighter merino or cashmere, are more prone to wrinkles after you wash—then you need to steam," says Whiting. She also likes to use the steamer between washes for a quick pick-me-up. "Steaming fluffs the yarns up and is a natural refresher," she says.
How do you wash 100% cashmere at home? ›
Place the cashmere item in a mesh garment bag to avoid snags. Select your washing machine's cold-water option and gentle cycle setting. Use a gentle detergent, like Tide Pods Free & Gentle or one of the liquid detergents listed above, along with a fabric softener or conditioner, like Downy Fabric Liquid Conditioner.
How to get rid of smell in cashmere? ›
Step 6: Use white vinegar to kill odors
During the rinsing process, you can add an extra step if you want to be sure you've rid your garment of any lingering odors. Refill the tub or sink with enough water to cover the piece of cashmere clothing and add up to 3/4 cup of white distilled vinegar.
Is baking soda safe for cashmere? ›
Generally, baking soda is considered safe for use on the short, wooly fibers of cashmere. It can lift stains and reduce odors on natural fabrics safely. Baking soda can be particularly effective on greasy stains. However, it may damage the dyes of certain cashmere garments.
Does cashmere shrink when dry cleaned? ›
Does cashmere shrink when dry cleaned? Yes, it might. Although the dry cleaning process doesn't use water, heat is used to dry the clothing. In the long term, you're practically guaranteed to notice some shrinkage of your garments.
What can I use instead of dry cleaning cashmere? ›
Wool wash or baby shampoo: Soak, a no-rinse detergent, will save you time and effort when you're hand-washing cashmere and other delicates. Baby shampoo is also gentle enough to use on cashmere. A clean sink or other water basin: It needs to be large enough to soak your sweater.
Does cashmere get softer as you wash it? ›
Cashmere needs moisture and conditioning, like our hair. There is no need to spend time and money on dry cleaning. Once a knitted garment is washed, the strands "open" and get fuller and softer. It nourishes and conditions this natural fibre and extends the life of the fabric as it loves moisture!
