A Guide to Caring for Cashmere and Wool Items with a Cashmere Comb

Cashmere, derived from the fleece of cashmere goats, is a luxurious and rare fibre known for its incredible softness. As a significant investment, it's essential to protect your cashmere items from pilling, ensuring their longevity. In this blog post, we explore what cashmere pilling is and how the cashmere comb can help you maintain the appearance of your natural fibre garments.

Understanding Cashmere Pilling:

Pilling, the formation of fuzzy balls on fabric, is common in many natural fibre materials, including cashmere and some woollens. But what exactly is pilling and why does it occur? Despite its association with cheaper fabrics, pilling is prevalent in delicate fibres like cashmere due to their sensitivity to friction. This is often spotted on sleeves interacting with different surfaces and can make your knitwear look worn out.

Many people often believe that their bobbled items are beyond repair. However, there is a solution: you can work on removing the pilling and restore your cashmere pieces to a brand-new appearance using a clothes brush.

What Is a Cashmere Comb?

One of the best and most effective ways to remove pilling is by using a cashmere comb - a small tool also known as a clothing brush, often made from beechwood and features fine mesh teeth designed for delicate fibres. A cashmere comb effectively removes pilling, leaving your items looking brand new.

Beyond rejuvenating your wardrobe, using a clothes brush is a sustainable practice, prolonging the life of your clothing and reducing the need for replacements.

The Versatility of the Cashmere Comb:

Suitable for various clothing items such as jumpers, scarves, cardigans, vests, and hats, opting for our cashmere comb is more gentle on any cashmere and some woollen garments than using a traditional clothing brush. It’s worth remembering that all cashmere items are prone to pilling, so if you want them to remain in the best condition, investing in a beechwood cashmere comb will ensure your items are kept in their optimal condition.

Reducing and Preventing Pilling:

While pilling is challenging to eliminate entirely, there are preventive measures you can take to reduce the bobbling of your items. 

1. Consider implementing a 'rest period' for your cashmere items, allowing fibres to recover between wears and reducing the need to wash.
2. Separating your cashmere garments from other fabrics in your wardrobe, either by placing a sheet between them or storing cashmere items in a separate wardrobe.
3. Refresh your items with a specialist, moth-repellent cashmere mist to keep the natural fibres nourished and conditioned when they are stored. This will help your items keep their shape and fit. 

How to Remove Pilling With a Cashmere Comb:

1. Wash your Cashmere:

Ensure your cashmere items are free from dirt by washing them gently with a detergent formulated for cashmere and wool. Hand washing or using the delicate spin setting on your washing machine is recommended. Always opt for cooler temperatures to preserve the integrity of your cashmere. 

TIP: Place your cashmere or woollen items in a laundry bag to prevent any snagging and catching of fibres during a machine cycle.

2. Ensure it's Fully Dry:

Fully air dry your cashmere items on a flat surface, preferably on a towel to absorb moisture before using the cashmere comb on them. Avoid tumble drying or placing them on a radiator, as this can lead to heat damage to the fibres, resulting in lost shape. We also recommend avoiding direct sunlight which can cause your items to fade in colour.

3. Remove Pilling:

1. Lay your fully dry garment on a flat surface
2. Using your cashmere comb, comb in one direction to remove the small pills from the surface, focusing on areas with the most build-up
3. Use slow, gentle strokes to avoid damaging the fibres
4. Clean the cashmere comb of any fibres

By incorporating a cashmere comb into your care routine this winter and following these simple steps, you can ensure that your cashmere and woollen items remain in pristine condition for an extended period. Additionally, practising mindful washing habits and proper garment care will prolong the life of your items.