fashion
CLEAN YOUR CASHMERE SWEATERS IN THE
g n i h s Wa ? e n i h Mac By Debra Day
MANY PEOPLE WHO LOVE OWNING AND WEARING CASHMERE SWEATERS HATE HAVING TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE THESE SWEATERS DRY-CLEANED. WHAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE IS THAT CASHMERE CAN BE WASHED VERY SUCCESSFULLY AND EASILY IN AN ORDINARY WASHING MACHINE. LEARN HOW YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY BY WASHING YOUR CASHMERE SWEATERS AT HOME OR AT THE LAUNDROMAT, USING SHAMPOO OR EVEN DISH DETERGENT AS YOUR SECRET INGREDIENT. Cashmere sweaters have a reputation for being a luxury item because they are so wonderfully soft and elegant. Many people who already own cashmere sweaters, as well as those who would like to, don’t want to pay high prices to dry-clean cashmere. You may be surprised and pleased to discover that you can actually wash cashmere very successfully in the washing machine. A cashmere sweater washed the right way in a washing machine actually comes out looking as soft and fluffy as when it was new! In order to clean cashmere successfully in a washing machine, you need to use a detergent that will not harm the fabric. This means that you cannot use regular laundry soap to clean cashmere. You can however, use a soap or detergent that is formulated for wool garments and delicate fabrics. You can even use shampoo or dish-washing liquid (not the kind for
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automatic dish-washing machines) to clean your cashmere sweaters! Set your washing machine on the delicate cycle, and use only cold water for both the wash and rinse cycles. It’s best to let the machine fill up with
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water before you add the detergent or soap. Follow the directions on the package if you are using soap meant for cleaning wool garments. If you are using dish-washing soap or shampoo, add about three or four tablespoons of the liquid to the water in the machine and swish it around. Place your cashmere sweater or sweaters in the water, and squeeze the fabric to be sure it is completely wet. Then start the machine and let it complete its cycle. At the end of the cycle, remove the sweater or sweaters from the washing machine. If the sweater has become smaller due to shrinkage, stretch it out to its original shape by using your hands. Place the sweater on a drying rack if you have one. If you don’t have a drying rack, simply lay the sweater on some clean towels at the bottom of the bath tub until it is nearly dry. When the sweater is al-
