Cashmere is a very soft, warm, and comfortable fabric. It is made of the wool of goats or sheep. Although it can be used for making sweaters, scarves, cardigans, and other clothing items, it is mostly used for making clothes for women.
The best thing about cashmere is that it does not shrink or stretch when washed with water or dry cleaned. However, it will shrink if you wash your cashmere coat in the washing machine with other clothes.
It may sound strange but cashmere has one more quality that makes it different from other fabrics: It can absorb moisture without getting damaged at all. However, can cashmere get wet in the rain?
Yes, cashmere can get wet in rain, and possibly shrink or stretch if you don’t dry it properly. However, your cashmere getting wet in the rain isn’t the problem but how you take care of it when you realize it’s wet. Hence, it is not advisable to wear it as much as you want, especially when you are going out.
How to Care For Cashmere When It’s Wet
Cashmere is known for its softness, durability, and luxurious feel. However, if you own any cashmere clothing, you must know how to care for them properly so they last as long as possible.
Here are some tips on how to care for cashmere when it gets wet:
1. Dry naturally
If your cashmere gets wet during a rainy day, lay it flat on a dry surface to air dry away from direct sunlight or any heat source like a radiator. You can also, keep it out of direct sunlight until completely dry because sunlight can fade the color over time or cause stains if not removed immediately after washing.
2. Wash by hand in cold water with mild detergent
Don’t toss wet cashmere into the washing machine. This will damage the fabric, as well as any embellishments or trims such as lace or buttons. Instead, hand wash them using cold water and mild detergent. You can also use a hand-held garment steamer on damp items before drying them flat in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
3. Squeeze out the water
If your cashmere sweater gets soaked in the rain, gently squeeze out excess water from the garment with your hands or roll it in a towel until damp. Don’t wring or twist because this will damage the fibers and cause them to pill.
4. Remove All Buttons and Pins
Remove all buttons, pins, or other fasteners from your wet cashmere before placing it into the washing machine. These items can damage the fabric during washing and drying.
5. Dry it in the dryer
The simplest way to get rid of moisture from cashmere is to put it in the dryer with an old tennis ball or two and toss it into the dryer on low heat. This will help to get rid of any excess moisture which will help speed up the drying process and prevent wrinkles from forming.
6. Check the labels
Washing instructions vary depending on how often the garment is worn and what kind of care instructions were included with the purchase. Check the labels before washing them; if there’s nothing there, consult a guide for general guidelines.
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Can you Wear Cashmere in the Rain?
There’s no specific answer to this question, it all depends on the individual and the weather condition. However, if you want to wear your cashmere in the rain, ensure that you’ve taken care of your cashmere before the rain. The last thing anyone wants to do is ruin their nice cashmere sweater by getting it wet and letting it dry on its own.
So, if you’re going to wear a cashmere sweater in the rain, make sure that you do some maintenance first. The first thing that you need to do is check for loose buttons or zippers. If there are any loose parts on your sweater, make sure that they’re secure before heading out into the rain. However, there are ways to wear cashmere in the rain;
1. Wear it under a waterproof coat or jacket
A raincoat is an obvious choice for any rainy-day outfit; hence, opt for a lightweight waterproof jacket that can protect your clothes from getting wet while still allowing them to breathe easily.
2. Use a scarf or shawl
Another way to wear your cashmere is by using a scarf or shawl to cover yourself up when it starts raining. This will stop water from soaking into the fabric, which can cause damage and make your clothes less soft and comfortable.
3. Layer up
Another way of wearing cashmere in the rain is by layering it. You can lay it with an umbrella, waterproof jacket, and rubber boots. This will prevent it from getting too wet.
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Is Cashmere Waterproof?
Cashmere is a type of fiber obtained from the wool of Cashmere goats. It’s fine and soft, which makes it a popular material for clothing.
Cashmere is not waterproof. It does not have any special coating that makes it water-repellent as traditional waterproof fabrics do. However, it’s very warm, lightweight, and highly durable, but it does get wet. So, if you’re caught in a rainstorm with a cashmere sweater on, it will get wet just like any other wool product would.
Also, cashmere doesn’t hold its shape well when wet which means you’ll end up with saggy sleeves if you wear a cashmere sweater while it’s wet.
Does Cashmere Get Ruined Easily?
Cashmere only gets ruined easily when you don’t take care of it properly or if you don’t know how to wash it. You can ruin your cashmere by washing it at too high temperatures and by not drying it properly. Here are a few ways to know your cashmere are getting ruined;
1. The fabric loses its softness
Cashmere should feel soft against your skin and be comfortable to wear all day long without causing chafing or itching. But if you notice that your cashmere feels rough or scratchy when wearing it, then this means it’s getting ruined and that it is time to replace it.
2. The weave is loose or uneven
This can happen when you wash cashmere too often or put it in the dryer too often. If your sweater has become pilled, try washing it with warm water instead of hot water before drying it on low heat (or even line-drying).
3. It develops holes
If your sweater develops holes on its surface, then this means that there is something wrong with the way you have been treating it so far. The best thing that you can do here is hand washing as soon as possible because machine washing will only increase the damage and make things worse than they already are.
4. It’s pilling
Pilling is when small bits of fuzz get caught in your sweater and look like little balls of lint. This can happen even with new cashmere, but it’s more familiar with older pieces or ones that have been washed too many times.
5. It smells bad
Even if you’ve never washed your cashmere, it should not smell terrible. If the fabric smells bad, it could be an indication that the quality of the yarn itself is poor. This means it will hold less warmth and will be less durable than high-quality cashmere.
6. It has faded
As with most natural fibers, cashmere will fade over time as it gets exposed to sunlight and air pollution. Suppose you notice that your garment has lost its color after being stored in direct sunlight or air-conditioned rooms for an extended period and know that it’s getting ruined.
Conclusion
Cashmere isn’t made from water-resistant fabrics, hence it will surely get wet in the rain. Hence if you want to enjoy the durability of your cashmere, make sure you care for it whenever it gets wet in the rain.
