Drying a Cashmere Sweater, the Modalova User Manual

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If you want to know how to wash a cashmere sweater optimally before drying it, we have created a mini guide to help you!

Drying a cashmere sweater or a cardigan made of pure goat wool can be a real headache. And for good reason, the fiber of this material is quite fragile. It is therefore important to avoid distorting its stitches or compromising its softness during washing and drying.

Maintaining cashmere fabric is not easy. You need to be careful not to pill the textiles during washing and drying. But don’t worry, Modalova suggests attitudes to avoid and adapt in order to properly maintain your wool sweater.

Here are some tips for drying your knitted sweater without damaging it.

Drying a cashmere sweater with an absorbent fabric

The first essential tool: an absorbent fabric. After rinsing your sweater, take a cotton terry towel. It has the ability to absorb the water from your pullover. To do this,

• Spread the towel on a flat surface;
• Spread your wool garment flat on the cotton towel. It then absorbs the water from the knit without creating pilling.

This method maintains the delicacy and softness of your fabric.

• Leave it to air dry in a well-ventilated place and at a low temperature to avoid compromising the fibers of the goat wool sweater.

You can also use two absorbent fabrics:

• Spread the first towel and your washed knit as in the first method;
• Then cover it with the second towel;
• To wring out effectively, press down on the towel to absorb as much water as possible.

There are certain actions and tools that should be avoided in order to preserve the softness of your cashmere wool.

• Twisting your cashmere knit: Your delicate clothing may deform.

Just like rough hand washing and improper machine washing, twisting causes stretching due to the applied torsion. The armholes of your long-sleeved sweaters will also be much wider.

• Using a clothesline: When soaked and waterlogged, your clothes become heavy.

As a result, they deform and elongate.

• Using a hanger: Not only does it elongate your pullover, it also distorts its collar.

Especially for turtleneck sweaters, boat neck sweaters, round neck sweaters, and roll neck sweaters. It tends to transform the neckline into a hood or even a shawl collar.

• Stretching it: If you stretch your small sweater, you’ll end up with a dress or a tunic because it stretches.
• The dryer: The heat it provides alters the quality of cashmere. It also causes it to shrink. It is also likely to felt your wool and cashmere knit or fade its colors.

Avoid surfaces that are too hot and those exposed to direct sunlight. Heat creates lint on delicate weaves and frays the natural fibers of textiles.

Drying a cashmere sweater with an iron

Dry cleaning can be effective and quick for drying delicate fabric. For this process, use a clean cotton cloth or a simple thick absorbent fabric of your choice.

Be careful, do not use a vertical iron that requires hanging your knit. Always lay the wet cashmere flat.

Here are the steps to follow to dry a cashmere sweater with an iron.

• Spread your washed sweater flat on the ironing board;
• Then spread the fabric on top of your sweater;
• Set the iron to a high temperature suitable for resistant fabrics such as denim or linen.

Don’t worry, the cloth will protect your sweater and a high temperature will not burn it.

• The fabric then absorbs some of the water in the sweater;
• Start ironing firmly with bursts of steam. The heat causes the moisture to evaporate;
• To properly dry your cashmere, remember to turn it inside out.

This process is also effective when ironing your sweater. However, if you use the absorbent fabric method, you won’t need to iron it.

In fact, a good laying out makes your sweater smooth as it dries between the towels.

Another drying method with a cloth may be more effective. You need two fabrics. Position the fabrics and the goat fleece sweater like a sandwich: Fabric – sweater – fabric. Then iron it as in the previous method.

You can also do without the cloths. However, be sure to adjust your iron properly. Set it to the wool or silk program for a gentler heat to avoid shrinking and maximum damage to fragile fabrics.

Start ironing your sweater gently and slowly while emitting bursts of steam. If your sweater pills due to poor maintenance, use white vinegar or glycerin and a razor to shave off the frayed fibers.

To go further, we offer you a step-by-step guide to defelting your favorite cashmere sweater so that you don’t have to buy a new one!