Cashmere pashmina is the traditional shawl made from the very finest grade of cashmere wool and its preciousness is coming from the extraordinary softness and warmth, especially the Kashmiri made ones, microns are as thin as 12-15 microns.
Pashmina wool is known as “soft gold” in Persian, it is the finest, softest and warmest wool available in the Himalayan plateaus. Your beloved pashmina needs special attention due to its delicacy. It could become your best friend and lifetime partner if you know how to look after it.
The amazing quality of pashmina is that it actually becomes softer and more comfortable with each use. It is not uncommon to find quality pashmina Shawls that have been handed down from generation to generation in royal and wealthy families throughout the world.
Here are some instructions you can follow to keep your pashmina in good shape.
1. Airing
Enduring exposure to odors like food, cigarettes, and pollution can be difficult to remove. Airing your shawl regularly on time can help you get rid of them. Lay the pashmina flat on a bed or on a towel for about an hour or hang the shawl in the fresh air.
2. Resting
By letting your favorite cashmere pashminas rest for approximately 24 hours gives natural resilience and spring to the wool fibers and will also help them recover and return to their original shape. Hanging them in a steamy bathroom also helps refresh them.
3. Ironing
Shawls and scarves always look better if pressed. Use an iron in very low heat, and always remember iron on top of a cotton sheet. Without the sheet, you are risking to burn the pashmina coz the fiber is as thin as 12-14 microns (Kashmiri quality).
4. Dry away from direct sunlight
If your pashmina accidentally gets wet, do not use dryer to dry. Hang them in room temperature, but stay away from direct sunlight.
5. Storage
Since food stains and body oils attract moths, you should ensure your shawl is clean before packing it away. Use individual storage cotton bag can help them stay away from damp and guard them from bugs. Use of traditional techniques such as spices can also help you prevent damage by insects.
Dry clean is always recommended and a safe solution if you are not confident in hand wash.
However, if you are experienced in handling this little beauty, you can hand wash her in cold water.
Let us share a little experience and our hand wash tips:
- Wash in cold water using woolite
- Detergent must be dissolved completely before putting pashmina in water.
- Do not twist during washing.
- Simply lay it flat to dry, do not wring dry.
- Use very low temperature, iron with a cover sheet.
- Hang it un-bunched to loosen the wrinkles.
Also Read: How to wear a Pashmina Scarf in 13 Different Ways!