All of us are acquainted with wool but how many of you know that it’s just not wool, but cashmere products too that we can wear during the chilly winter months.
Cashmere is a special yarn that comes from fibres found in the undercoat of cashmere goats who are particularly found in regions of China and Mongolia. These places are known for their wide fluctuations of temperature.
The goats are made to adapt to these stark changes biologically with double fleece. The outer guard layer protects the undercoat from water, which is made from ultra-fine hairs and has very strong insulating properties. This not only keeps the goats warm in winters but also not so hot in the summers.
In the next step, the fibres are dyed and spun into yarns that are later used widely in the garment industry, knitted into Cashmere Jumpers UK, Cashmere Ponchos, Cashmere Shawls, and other accessories.
Italy and Scotland have the most genuine and premium yarn processing and knitting companies. Authentic Cashmere is extremely costly because it is rare and the process to produce it is very difficult. A Cashmere goat, on average, produces 150gm of fibre, and to make one full-sized jumper takes double that amount. A total of only around 6000 tonnes of Cashmere are produced every year, which is very less as compared to 1.3 million tonnes of normal wool.
Cashmere Vs Wool: Which is better?
Warmth: Genuine Cashmere has three to eight times more insulation capacity than wool and makes it perfect to maintain the body temperature.
Softness: Cashmere is the softest of all yarns. The diameter of cashmere fibres is very small, making the texture very fine, soft, and fluffy.
Lightness: Provided its insulating properties, the Cashmere Italian jumpers can be lighter than wool, yet provide more warmth.
Durability: If treated and maintained rightly, the best Cashmere jumpers UK can last for 10 years if not more. Cashmere winterwear is often passed on from generations making it a good heirloom.
Care: The Cashmere fibres are thinner and shorter than most other yarns, and you need to follow the right washing instructions to maintain the garment.
Suggestions to wash Cashmere garments
- Cashmere is produced from hair and can be washed both by hand or washing machine.
- Washing them with a hand and cool water is the best method.
- Turn the garment inside out before you wash it.
- Use a delicate detergent or a specially-made Cashmere wool wash, which includes softeners.
- Never bleach a Cashmere garment.
- You can also machine wash your garment with a hand-wash cycle, set it up to a cool temperature and short cycle.
- For dry-cleaning, ask to clean with a mild detergent.
How to dry your Cashmere wear
- Never wring your Cashmere plus-size jumpers. Remove excess water by pressing the garment with a clean, dry towel.
- Lay the wet garment straight on a flat surface and stretch it to its original shape.
- Do not hang your Cashmere plus-size ponchos and jumpers.
- They will stretch and lose their shape.
- Dry it at room temperature with natural air and avoid sunlight.
- You should iron your cashmere garment by putting a cloth over it and never directly on the garment.
How to maintain and store a Cashmere outfit
While you store your garments in the cabinets, always fold them to maintain their shape. When not used for a long time, store it in a sealed dust bag to keep it away from moths and other insects. Place mothballs or lavender sprigs inside. Protect your Cashmere garments with nylon because that can damage the fibres.
To conclude, when you invest in a good, genuine Cashmere product, you are just increasing the luxury and longevity of your closet. Garments like these maintain the quality and shape for a longer period of time than your woollens. And trust us, this luxury and softness of the Cashmere garment are too much addictive. Try it once yourself to believe what we say.