Cashmere Sweater Cleaning and Care in Houston

Cashmere is among the most luxurious fabrics in the world — and among the easiest to damage. A cashmere sweater that costs several hundred dollars can be ruined in a single wrong wash cycle. In Houston, where we swap between extreme summer heat and surprisingly cool winters, proper cashmere care is worth understanding.

River Oaks Cleaners has cared for cashmere for Houston's most discerning customers since 1989. Here's what you need to know about this remarkable fiber.

What Makes Cashmere Different

True cashmere comes from the undercoat of Cashmere goats, primarily raised in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. The fibers are extraordinarily fine — typically 14–19 microns in diameter compared to 40+ microns for standard wool. This fineness creates the characteristic softness but also makes cashmere vulnerable to:

• Shrinkage — even lukewarm water causes the scales on cashmere fibers to lock together, permanently reducing the garment size
• Pilling — friction from washing agitation causes surface fibers to tangle into pills
• Felting — excessive heat, agitation, or detergent can cause fibers to bind permanently
• Stretching — wet cashmere loses its structure; hanging a wet cashmere sweater will distort it
• Color loss — many cashmere dyes are not fully wash-stable

Should You Dry Clean or Hand Wash Cashmere?

The honest answer: for most cashmere pieces, professional dry cleaning is the safest option. Here's why:

Dry cleaning uses solvents rather than water, which eliminates the shrinkage and felting risk entirely. Professional dry cleaners also have the equipment and expertise to press cashmere correctly — restoring its shape and hand without damaging the fibers.

That said, lightly worn, undyed, or very casual cashmere pieces can often be hand-washed with the right technique — cold water, cashmere-specific wash (Woolite or Soak), minimal agitation, and flat drying. Never put cashmere in the washing machine on any setting, and never put it in the dryer.

Common Cashmere Mistakes

• Machine washing — almost always results in shrinkage or felting
• Hot water — destroys the fiber structure
• Hanging to dry — stretches the shoulders and body of the garment
• Wringing — damages fibers and distorts shape
• Ironing on high heat — scorches cashmere; if you must iron, use a pressing cloth and low steam
• Storing without cleaning — body oils and food residue attract moths and cause fiber breakdown

Cashmere and Houston's Climate

Houston's humidity creates unique challenges for cashmere storage. Moisture encourages mildew on natural fibers, and the same body oils that make cashmere feel broken-in are exactly what clothes moths seek out.

Before storing cashmere for Houston's long summer (when you won't wear it for six or more months), always have it professionally cleaned. Moths don't eat clean cashmere — they eat the food residue and body oils left on it. Storage in sealed cotton bags with cedar blocks is ideal; avoid plastic, which traps moisture.

Cashmere Stain Removal

If you stain your cashmere, do not rub. Blot gently with a clean cloth to absorb excess liquid, then bring it to us as quickly as possible. Common cashmere stains we treat:

• Wine and juice
• Coffee and tea
• Food oils and condiments
• Perfume and cosmetic products
• Perspiration (especially under the arms)

Fresh stains are significantly easier to treat than old ones. The sooner you bring it in, the better the outcome.

Cashmere Cleaning and Storage Service

At River Oaks Cleaners, cashmere garments receive individual attention. We assess fiber content, dye stability, and construction before selecting the appropriate cleaning method. For very fine or valuable pieces, we hand-finish pressing to preserve the drape.

Our free pickup and delivery service makes it easy — we collect your cashmere before seasonal storage and return it cleaned, folded, and ready to put away for summer.

Call (713) 661-0246 or visit riveroakscleaners.com to schedule a pickup. Don't let Houston's moths or humidity damage your most valued sweaters.

River Oaks Cleaners — expert care for Houston's finest wardrobes since 1989.