How to store wool and cashmere
As the end of winter approaches and your need for your heavy woollen jumpers and scarves decreases, don’t just shove them back into your wardrobe and assume they’ll be fine until next season.
We’ve almost all had the unfortunate experience of pulling a favourite wool or cashmere jumper out of the cupboard to learn it has tiny little holes in it, created by moths over the summer.
To prevent moths from ruining your garments, here are the best ways to store your wool and cashmere and ensure they look beautiful for years to come.
WASH
- Moths are attracted to residual dirt and body oils on garments so the most important step you can take to prolong the life of your wool and cashmere and get rid of moths, is to make sure it is properly cleaned before being stored away.
- Use a natural wool and cashmere detergent before storage. Chemical residues from dry cleaning will actually erode the garment while natural detergent will cleanse, soften and refresh garments.
- Eucalyptus and Lavender oils are effective natural moth deterrents so we've included them as key ingredients in the Ms BROWN Wool & Cashmere Wash to help get rid of moths naturally.
STORE
- Wool and cashmere should be stored folded in a drawer or on a shelf.
- Never hang your woollens as gravity will stretch them out of shape and leave dimples in the shoulders.
- Fold the arms under first then fold the whole jumper in half. This will not only look as nice as it did in the store, you'll avoid a line down the middle of your jumper.
- When storing for longer periods, such as during summer months, always use cotton or linen bags, not plastic. Cotton and linen allow air to flow through naturally while plastic can cause garments to sweat and smell, particularly in warm and humid climates.
- To prevent moths from getting near your wool and cashmere, store in bags with proper closures such as zips or use drawers that seal properly.
- Storing clothes in a dry (and if possible, cool) environment will also help prevent moths from ruining wool and cashmere.
- Moths prefer wool and cashmere to cotton and synthetics but if being stored together it's important all clothes have been cleaned properly or they will attract moths. Cleansing all items with Eucalyptus and Lavender will help to prevent moths on your woollens.
HOW TO REMOVE CASHMERE PILLING
Pilling occurs as a result of the cashmere fabric rubbing against itself or another surface, which is why you'll notice it most on the sides of your jumper and the sleeves, where your arms, desk or even hand bag will rub. Unfortunately pilling can occur on basically any cashmere sweater, designer cashmere is not necessarily less prone to pilling. Finer, tighter weaves will pill less but it can be difficult to tell one from the other in a store.
It sounds quite strange, but giving the garment a "rest" in between wears, can help reduce pilling. When not being worn, the fibres in the fabric are able to bounce back to their original shape, helping them to be more resilient and pill less.
Being careful when you wash it will also help. Using our Wool & Cashmere Wash will nourish the cashmere fibres, helping to keep them strong and pill less.
Washing inside out will also reduce the rubbing of the outside of the garment while washing. Gentle hand or machine washing will be better for it than dry cleaning or just throwing it in a normal wash cycle.
Pills can be easily removed using Ms BROWN Wool & Cashmere Comb — never use a razor or scissors as you'll damage the fibres and make it worse. After washing, simply lie the garment flat and use the comb, brushing in one direction to gently remove pills. Your garment will look as brand new as the day your bought it after this process.