Can you hand wash merino wool or cashmere?

Question

I've heard it's ok to hand wash some "dry clean only" sweaters. I have one that is cashmere and one that's merino wool. Can these be handwashed?

Each sweater cost $20 from overstock.com, so it seemed kind of silly to spend lots of $$$ on dry cleaning when the sweaters themselves were relatively cheap in price.

Thanks!

Answer 1

use cold water and DO NOT agitate too much or twist (that will turn it into felt) just let it soak and gently swish. Lay it out flat to dry and while still wet gently reblock the sweater. (that means pull it out to the original size and shape) You may want to start the drying process on towels since you can't wring out the excess water then move to flat drying racks as some of the water evaporates

Answer 2

I really wouldn't do it. They make a kit,(not very expencive) to do dry-cleaning yourself. I'm the master of hand washing, and every time I tryed to wash wool, I end up with sweaters for,guess who?Barbie just loves them.

Answer 3

Handwash in cold water! lay between 2 towels, press with your hands to extract most of the water, lay on a new dry towel to dry.

Answer 4

I wouln't do it. I have ruined a few sweaters by hand washing them. Wool shinks, and angora just does not look the same again.

Answer 5

You can handwash them in tepid to warm water using pure soap flakes or liquid woolwash. wring out gently and spread out on a towel (dry flat) to dry. They won't shrink.

Answer 6

don't wash, dry clean only! It'll shrink up~