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Soft, supple cashmere has a wrinkle-free reputation, but even this classic fabric can't hold up to extremes. If you wad your cashmere sweater in a travel bag or sloppily fold your favorite scarf and stick it under a pile of jeans, your duds will likely need ironing. Despite popular misconceptions, you can indeed iron cashmere, but you have to take a few special considerations into account before getting steamy.
Clean your iron thoroughly if necessary; delicate cashmere is susceptible to ironed-on stains. Scrub the face of the cool iron with a solution of half water and half white vinegar. For more stubborn grime, use a paste of baking soda and water. Wipe away residue with a damp cloth and dry the iron completely before use.
Set your iron to its “low” or “wool” setting. Turn your cashmere garment inside-out and spread it out evenly on your ironing board, front side down, so that it's as close to wrinkle-free as you can get. If your garment has buttons, unbutton it so you are able to spread the fabric.
Place a pressing cloth between the cashmere garment and your heated iron. Gently press the iron to the cloth, using smooth, up-and-down strokes. Keep the iron pressed to the cloth only for a few seconds at a time. Move the pressing cloth up the garment and continue to iron in sections. Flip the garment over to its front and repeat the process.
References
- Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute: Frequently Asked Questions
- Eucalan: Wool/Cashmere/Alpaca Care
- Mother Nature Network: How to Clean an Iron
- Overstock.com: How to Care for Cashmere Sweaters
- Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute: Garment Care
- Daily Press: Steaming Cashmere Gets Wrinkles Out
Resources
Writer Bio
With a diverse professional background and a decade of experience as a freelance writer, Dan has contributed lifestyle content -- from fashion to travel to fitness and more -- to publishers including Chron, Fortune, Sony, GlobalPost, ModernMom, Moviefone, Salon.com, Techwalla and dozens of others.