Cashmere is a speciality wool which is obtained from cashmere or pashmina goats. It is a very soft, warm and durable fibre which can last a lifetime if cared for correctly.

Many people struggle with cashmere as they do not know how to properly maintain it and may end up ruining the fabric by shrinking, stretching or pulling it. This reduces the life of your cashmere garments and can mean you end up wasting a lot of money.

Learning how to properly look after your cashmere garments can help them to last for a long time and stay in near-new, pristine condition. They will stay soft, warm and stretchy instead of shrinking and becoming pilled and uncomfortable.

The first step is to know how to store cashmere. You should only ever store cashmere when it is clean and dry. Putting it away if it is wet can cause the fabric to stay damp, crease or shrink.

It is best to neatly fold cashmere. Hanging cashmere garments can cause them to stretch and become misshapen which can ruin the fabric. Instead, fold them neatly and store them in a clean, dry cupboard.

Moths may be attracted to cashmere, so using anti-moth sheets or balls is a great way to protect your clothing and keep moths from eating away at the fibres. These can also help to keep your cashmere clothes smelling fresh and lovely.

The next step is to know how to properly wash and dry your cashmere garments. Many people may be scared to wash their cashmere garments at home as they are worried about running them, however, it is quite simple to clean them by yourself as long as you do it correctly.

You should try to avoid using a washing machine at all costs. They can be too rough for the material and you are unable to control the amount of detergent, movement, water and temperature.

Instead, handwash it with warm water and a mild, gentle detergent. This will prevent the fibres from locking up and shrinking. You should try to gently handwash the garment with minimal scrubbing.

Where possible, you should avoid washing the garments. Instead, spot-treating stains or marks or only washing when absolutely necessary is best. This is the best way to preserve your clothing and ensure it stays in great quality for as long as possible.

You should never put your cashmere clothing in a tumble dryer. The best way to dry out your cashmere items is to lay them on a flat surface, perhaps on top of a soft towel, and to let them dry out this way.

You should never hand your cashmere to dry as the fabric can become heavy when wet, which can cause it to stretch out as it dries. This can cause pulls in the fabric and cause it to become misshapen, which is very hard to reverse.

Once your cashmere is fully dry, fold and store it as described above and enjoy your cashmere for years to come.