Caring for Your Cashmere

The Quinn guide

Caring for your
cashmere.

Cashmere that's properly cared for doesn't wear out — it breaks in. The fiber softens with every wash, the drape deepens over time, and pieces bought ten years ago can look better than the day they arrived. Here's everything you need to know to get there.

Quinn cashmere — care guide
Hand wash
preferred method
Cool water
always, never hot
Flat dry
never hang or wring
Quinn cashmere washing
01

Washing your
cashmere.

Despite what the dry cleaner says, hand washing is actually better for cashmere over time. The solvents used in dry cleaning gradually dry out the fibers, weakening them with each visit. Save the dry cleaner for pieces with structured elements that can’t be laid flat.

1
Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water causes fibers to felt and shrink — there’s no coming back from that.
2
Add a small amount of gentle detergent designed for wool or cashmere — the Wool & Cashmere Shampoo from The Laundress is our standard. Avoid anything with enzymes.
3
Submerge the garment and squeeze gently — don’t scrub or agitate. Let it soak for 3–5 minutes.
4
Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear. Press out excess water — never wring or twist.
5
Lay flat on a clean towel. Roll the towel to blot moisture, then reshape the garment and lay flat to dry away from direct heat or sunlight.
A note on dry cleaning: If you do use a dry cleaner, specify organic or wet cleaning methods. Conventional dry cleaning solvents will shorten the life of your cashmere.
Quinn cashmere folding and storage
02

Storing it
properly.

How you store cashmere matters as much as how you wash it. Moths are the primary threat — and they’re attracted to natural fiber, particularly if there are any food or body oil residues in the garment. Clean before you store.

1
Always store clean. Never put a worn sweater directly into storage — any residue attracts moths. Even if it looks fine, wash it first.
2
Fold, never hang. Hanging cashmere on a hanger will cause it to stretch and distort over time, particularly at the shoulders.
3
For seasonal storage, use sealed garment bags — The Laundress makes good ones. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets inside.
4
Avoid mothballs. The chemicals are harsh on fibers and the smell is persistent. Cedar does the same job without the damage.
Off-season tip: If you’re putting pieces away until fall, give them one more wash before storage. The cleaner the fiber going in, the better it comes out.
Quinn cashmere pilling
03

Handling
pilling.

Pilling is normal with any natural fiber and is not a sign of poor quality — it’s just short fibers working their way to the surface through friction. Because Quinn uses long-fiber Grade A cashmere, pilling is minimal and typically decreases after the first few washes as those shorter fibers clear out.

When pills do appear, they’re easy to remove. A cashmere comb — included with every Quinn purchase — restores the surface to its original finish in a few minutes.

1
Lay the garment flat on a clean surface.
2
Hold the comb lightly against the fabric and use short, gentle strokes in one direction. Don’t press hard or drag.
3
Work in small sections, moving the comb across the pilled areas until the surface is clear.
Missing your comb? A fabric shaver also works for heavier pilling. Set it to the lowest speed and hold the fabric taut. Our cashmere comb is also available as a replacement — find it here.
Quinn cashmere repair
04

If something
goes wrong.

Snags, small holes, and pulled threads happen. In most cases, they’re fixable — which is part of why buying a quality cashmere piece is worth it.

Snags

A snag is a pulled loop of fiber, not a break. Use a blunt needle or a snag repair tool to gently push the loop back through to the wrong side of the fabric. Do not cut it.

Small holes

Small holes in cashmere can often be repaired by a professional reweaver — a specialist who duplicates the original stitch pattern using matching yarn, leaving almost no trace. Search “cashmere reweaver” plus your city. It’s more accessible than you’d think, and usually worth it for a piece you love.

Questions about a specific repair? Email us at info@quinnshop.com — we’ll help where we can.

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