Buzz
Though cherished for its unmatched softness and warmth, cashmere poses a challenge in maintenance. Fear not, for a few simple steps can preserve its pristine condition during storage. Whether for a brief hiatus or prolonged seclusion, safeguarding cashmere involves post-wear cleansing, selection of suitable storage vessels, and placement in sanitized environs.
Procedures
Prepping Cashmere for Storage
Prioritize laundering your cashmere before stowing it away to deter pests. While cashmere alone may entice insects like moths, residual body oils, fragrances, or products can heighten their interest. Thus, thorough laundering prior to storage is essential to diminish its allure to fabric-eating pests.
- Ensure complete dryness before storage.
Eliminate pilling to uphold cashmere’s quality. Gently employ a sweater comb or a specialized razor to eradicate any pilling on the fabric’s surface. This meticulous process not only restores cashmere to its prime condition for wear upon retrieval from storage but also facilitates fabric softening during storage.
- Exercise caution and patience to prevent fabric damage during pilling removal.
Sanitize and smooth your cashmere with steam. Employ a fabric steamer on low heat to eliminate wrinkles and sanitize the fabric. This preparation ensures that your cashmere emerges from storage fresh and ready for use.
- If a fabric steamer is unavailable, utilize a low-heat iron with a damp cloth barrier between the cashmere and the iron, proceeding with care.
- If moisture remains post-steaming, ensure thorough drying before storage.
Optimal Storage Selection
Choose a suitable storage spot for your cashmere. For short-term storage between wears, a wooden chest or a neatly folded arrangement in a closet suffices. Although these options alone do not guarantee prolonged protection against insects, they facilitate flat storage, preventing creasing or damage.
- For extended storage in chests or closets, utilize mothballs or liners to deter moth damage.
Utilize plastic garment bags for short-term cashmere storage. Shield cashmere from insects for up to 3 months by storing it in plastic garment bags. However, refrain from prolonged plastic storage due to potential moisture accumulation from seasonal changes, leading to mildew or discoloration.
- Ensure airtight sealing of plastic bags to deter moth infestation.
- Airtight plastic storage containers are also suitable alternatives.
Opt for cotton canvas garment bags for extended cashmere storage. For storage exceeding 3 months, cotton canvas garment bags offer superior protection. Unlike plastic or wooden containers, cotton bags resist insects and moisture while allowing airflow to prevent mustiness.
- Cotton canvas garment bags are readily available online and at various storage and home improvement retailers.
Avoid cashmere storage in cardboard boxes. Despite their affordability and convenience, cardboard boxes lack a neutral pH. Consequently, the chemicals in cashmere may react with the acidic or alkaline components in cardboard, leading to fabric discoloration or degradation.
Storing Cashmere
Maintain a clean storage environment for cashmere. Pre-storage cleaning is essential to prevent insect infestation and fabric damage. Therefore, before storing cashmere, vacuum the area to remove dust and sanitize it with a wipe.
- Ensure thorough drying if using a wet cloth or wipe before placing cashmere inside.
Protect the storage area with anti-moth measures. Cashmere is susceptible to moth damage, necessitating the use of anti-moth paper liners or balls. Prior to storage, line the area with paper liners or place mothballs around the cashmere to deter moths.
- Paper liners also shield the fabric from snagging on other stored items.
- Cedar balls or chips are effective alternatives for repelling cashmere-eating moths.
Safeguard cashmere with acid-free tissue for color preservation. Enhance cashmere protection by wrapping it in acid-free tissue paper. This shields the fabric from acidic or alkaline substances, as well as moisture and dust, ensuring color longevity.
- Acid-free tissue paper is readily accessible online and at various craft and storage retailers.
Minimize wrinkles by folding cashmere carefully. Adopt a strategic folding technique: first, fold the arms inward over the front, then bring the bottom up over the arms to meet the top. This method maximizes flatness in the storage container.
- If necessary, fold the cashmere in half once more, but aim to minimize folding to prevent wrinkles.
Arrange cashmere flat in the storage container. Lay the cashmere flat within the container to prevent wrinkling, snags, or tears. Avoid hanging storage, as it may cause stretching or distortion of the fabric.
Shield cashmere from sunlight to prevent color fading. Opt for a dark, secluded storage location away from sunlight, regardless of the container. Prolonged exposure to sunlight or strong indoor lighting can result in permanent discoloration, particularly noticeable in vibrant hues.
- This cautionary measure is crucial for brightly colored cashmere, which is prone to quicker and more pronounced fading.
