I have a sweatercoat that is 85% silk and 15% cashmere. It is off white, and even though I washed it by hand, it looks dingy and stretched out. I was thinking of putting it in a pillowcase in a front load washer. Also, is it possible to put it in the dryer so it snaps back into shape?
IF you put it in the washer I'd use a mesh laundry bag in the washer and lay flat to dry. Dry cleaning might be the way to go, though.
It sounds like a beautiful piece... spend the $$$ and have it cleaned. Probably cheaper than replacing it!
Cashmere and wool are prone to felting if washed and dried incorrectly. Felting happens when heat and friction are applied to an item (warm or hot water and the agitation of the washer will do it).In addition shrinking will happen if put in a dryer with heat (again heat and the agitation of the dryer will do it).
I'm a knitter and use Eucalan on all my wool items. Works great!
You could put it the wash, but reshape it and lay it flat to dry, otherwise because of the cashmere it could shrink and turn to felt.
i do machine wash mine, all that say handwash only. but i don't dry them in a dryer, instead I put them on top of a chair or something to dry on their own. if you machine wash put on delicate, shortest time possible.
my sweaters have survived the mashine wash,can't say the same about the pants though.
I dry clean almost nothing. I wash in cold water with gentle soap on the gentle cycle and hang dry. If it's a sweater, I use one of those clothes racks instead of hanging it on a hanger.
It's so hard to tell because so many articles say dry clean only, but it's perfectly ok to put in the washer and most in the dryer. In your case, you may be ok in the washer with cold water on the delicate cycle, but I don't know if you want to take a chance. NO dryer, the heat will make it shrink.
Good luck.
Cashmere should only be hand washed and not dry cleaned.
Here is my two cents - if you are ready to trash it because it doesn't look good anymore - then go for it. You have nothing to lose!! Good luck!
If you put wool in a regular washer it will turn to felt--shrunk to the size and texture of an oven mitt. The high percentage of silk might save it, but I wouldn't risk it. Get Eucalan--it's amazing stuff (Google it). You can wash any and all silk, wool, cashmere, etc.--it gives directions for how to do it in the machine. I've always loved the feel of cashmere but never liked hand-washing, and my boyfriend, who also loves cashmere, introduced me to it. Fabulous, you use just a tiny amount. If you want more info, let me know.
Best of luck,
L.
You could machine wash on delicate cycle with a mild detergent. I know I have washed silk/cashmere sweaters before, but not sure what the ratios were for them. It will probably not look and feel quite as nice, but should be okay. I would reshape and lay flat to dry. If you still want to fluff it up a bit afterwards, you can toss it in the dryer on low or no heat for a few minutes. I believe I did try drying mine on low and it was never quite the same after that. Good luck with it! :)
I wouldn't if I were you. Many times the machine will mess up the feel of the material and stretch the sweater. You might want to try Dryel, which is similar to dry cleaning and can be done at home. It is sold in most stores in the laundry area. Best wishes
