Cashmere and Silk Pashmina Care Instructions
Cashmere, also called pashmina, is a very fine wool collected from the belly of chyangra goats which are native to Central Asia. Cashmere and pashmina refer to the same material, although the term “pashmina” has recently come to be used for any type of thin wool, wool and silk, or synthetic blend shawl. True cashmere comes from goats that are bred at high elevations. The wool is not sheared but rather is collected from what the animals shed, and the highest-quality shawls are handmade. Wearing Your Shawl
Cashmere and silk pashmina blend shawls require gentle handling and special care. When you wear your shawl, make sure there it doesn’t come into contact with sharp metal jewelry, belts, or rough handbags because these can snag the fibers and wear them down. Consider wearing your pashmina shawl with another silk scarf around your neck to protect the shawl from getting stained by make-up or perfume. If the shawl starts to pill, gently pick off the pills by hand, as brushing will damage the delicate fabric.
Washing Instructions
Check your shawl for any special care instructions. Synthetic material pashmina shawls, or those made from other types of wool, can usually be dry-cleaned, but chemicals from dry-cleaning can damage true pashmina and cashmere. Avoid frequent washing of cashmere and pashmina silk shawls. If you must wash them, hand-washing in cool water is best. Add a small amount of baby shampoo or hand-washing detergent to a bucket of cold water and mix it thoroughly. Soak the shawl for several minutes then stir it around in the water. Gently rub any stains that don’t come off with agitation. Roll the shawl in a towel and squeeze the towel gently, but don’t twist it or wring it. Lay it flat to dry on a towel or cloth in a place out of the sun. Ironing shouldn’t be necessary, but if the shawl is very wrinkled, you can steam it or iron it on a cool setting with a piece of cloth between the shawl and the iron.
Storage Instructions
Store cashmere and pashmina silk shawls in watertight containers in a place where they won’t be exposed to the sun. If you keep your shawl in a drawer or closet be sure to protect it from moths, which like to eat natural fibers. Mothballs leave an unpleasant smell, so consider making a sachet with dried mint, rosemary, lavender, thyme and cloves. This will repel moths and give your shawl a sweet, natural scent.
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