How to wash a cashmere scarf?
Élise Moreau
Cashmere is soft, warm and worth looking after. Washed gently it stays beautifully plush for years; washed carelessly it can shrink, pill or lose its shape. The good news is that caring for it at home is simple once you know the steps. Here is exactly how to wash a cashmere scarf (and its cousin, the wool scarf) safely, with cosy pieces from our wool scarf collection.
Key takeaways
- Hand-wash in cool water with a little gentle or wool-specific detergent.
- Never wring or hang — press out water and dry flat.
- Avoid heat: no hot water, no tumble dryer, no radiator.
- Store folded, not hung, to keep the shape.
The short answer
To wash a cashmere scarf, soak it for a few minutes in cool water with a small amount of gentle detergent, swirl softly, then rinse in clean cool water. Press — never wring — the water out, roll it in a towel to absorb the rest, and lay it flat to dry away from heat and sun. That gentle routine keeps cashmere soft and in shape.
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Beige Wool Scarf
A soft merino-and-silk wrap that rewards gentle, careful washing.
Shop now · $79.99Hand-wash, step by step
Fill a clean basin with cool water and add a teaspoon of gentle or wool detergent. Submerge the scarf and press it softly through the water for two or three minutes — no scrubbing or twisting. Drain, refill with clean cool water, and rinse the same gentle way until the water runs clear. Cashmere relaxes in cool water; heat is what causes it to felt and shrink.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Cool water | Hot water |
| Gentle or wool wash | Harsh detergent |
| Press out water | Wringing or twisting |
| Dry flat | Hanging or tumble drying |
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Beige Infinity Scarf
A soft, cosy loop scarf — another gentle-wash favourite for cold days.
Shop now · $39.90Drying without damage
This is where most scarves are lost. Never hang a wet cashmere scarf — the weight of the water stretches it out of shape. Instead, lay it flat on a dry towel, roll the towel up to squeeze out moisture, then reshape the scarf on a fresh dry towel and leave it flat, away from radiators and direct sun. It will dry soft and even.
Pilling, storage and freshening up
A few little bobbles are normal with wear; remove them gently with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver, never by pulling. Between washes, airing a scarf overnight often freshens it without water at all. Store it folded in a drawer rather than on a hook, ideally with cedar to deter moths. Silk scarves follow similar gentle rules — see our guide on how to wash a silk scarf.
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Large Orange Scarf
A generous silk wrap that, like cashmere, loves cool water and flat drying.
Shop now · $54.99How often should you wash it?
Less than you think. Cashmere and wool naturally resist odour, so washing two or three times a season is usually plenty unless a scarf is stained. Over-washing wears the fibres faster than wearing it does. For tips on styling your cosy layers, our guide on how to wear a large scarf has ideas for every season.
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Frequently asked questions
Treated gently — cool water, a soft touch and a flat dry — a cashmere scarf stays as soft as the day you bought it. A little care now buys years of cosy wear.
