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Pashmina scarves | Source: Shutterstock
How to Wash Pashmina: A Guide to Carefully Cleaning & Preserving This Luxurious Material
By
Akhona Zungu
Jan 10, 202411:30 A.M.
Pashmina is a stunningly soft material that has been used to make gorgeous accessories like shawls and scarves for millennia. To maintain the fabric's delicacy, you must wash it correctly and with care. Read on to find out how.
The pashmina fabric is a type of wool (Cashmere) sourced from a rare species of goat called the Changthangi. The Changthangi is primarily found in the Himalayan mountains and lives approximately 14,000 feet above sea level.
Because it lives at such a high altitude, it grows an incredibly soft coat to keep warm during the harsh Himalayan winter months. The goat then sheds this coat during spring.
Although the diameter of each follicle is about ⅙ of most types of hair, the Changthangi's naturally growing fur is surprisingly durable. Primarily used in manufacturing shawls, wraps, scarves, sweaters, and the like, any pashmina garment, or simply any "pashmina," is a luxurious item in many closets.
Pashmina scarves | Source: Shutterstock
If you want to maintain your pashmina's heavenly softness and prolong its lifespan, you've come to the right place. But before you continue with the cleaning process (outlined below), here are some helpful tips to remember:
- The recommended cleaning method for a pashmina is dry cleaning; however, a hand wash at home is also effective.
- If you opt for a hand wash, ensure you use cold water and a mild detergent, preferably a wool or cashmere shampoo or baby cloth detergent.
- Avoid using fabric softener on your pashmina, as it may compromise the fabric. But, if you must, use a small amount of fabric softener and ensure you rinse your pashmina thoroughly.
- If you only have access to hard water (water that contains high mineral content like magnesium and calcium) in your area, you can opt for dry cleaning and ask them not to use hard water. Alternatively, you can buy a water softener, which comes as a detergent, and continue with the hand wash method.
A woman wearing a pashmina shawl basks in the sun | Source: Shutterstock
How to Wash a Pashmina Step-by-Step
If you don't have access to dry cleaning services or are under time constraints and need your pashmina cleaned, follow this step-by-step guide on how to hand wash your pashmina correctly.
1. Fill a tub or sink with lukewarm water and add detergent.
2. Ensure the detergent is fully dissolved in the water, then gently submerge your pashmina.
Submerge your pashmina | Source: YouTube/Eisha Salman
3. Carefully swish it around so it absorbs the detergent, but avoid twisting or wringing it. Once that's done, leave it to soak for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Afterward, gently press the water through your pashmina to help remove any dirt and impurities, then drain the tub or sink.
5. Add clean water and gently rinse your pashmina to remove any remaining dirt. Repeat this step until the water is clear.
Rinse your pashmina | Source: YouTube/Eisha Salman
6. Press the excess water out of your pashmina without wringing or twisting, as that may ruin its shape.
7. Place your pashmina on a clean towel or cloth and roll it to remove excess moisture. Repeat this step until no more water drips from your pashmina when held up. It's essential that you remove as much moisture as possible from your pashmina to avoid the development of mildew.
Fold your damp pashmina into a towel to remove excess moisture | Source: YouTube/Eisha Salman
8. Lay your pashmina flat on a clean towel and try shaping it back to its original form, then leave it to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat sources like a dryer. Note: Don't hang it to dry, as that may stretch the fibers and ruin its shape.
The guidelines and tips outlined above should help you prolong the lifespan of your pashmina and maintain its luxurious softness. If you want to do the same for your bonnet, here's how to wash one correctly.
