CARE GUIDE
CARE GUIDE
How to look after your Ahipao Cashmere and Possum Merino garments.
Longevity Begins with Loving Attention
Your Ahipao cashmere and merino pieces can last a lifetime, if treated with care. Gentle laundering, thoughtful handling, and mindful storage all help preserve their softness and shape. Here’s a hands‑on guide from our founder Esme to help you cherish each garment for years.
The First Step
Care Starts Before the Wash
Before anything else, sort by colour, light with light, dark with dark. Cashmere and Merino are highly absorbent, and even a quick cold wash can cause dyes to transfer. Separating garments protects them from dulling, bleeding, or staining. Think of it as the foundation for every successful wash.
Preferred Method
Hand-Washing
Once sorted, fill a clean basin or sink with lukewarm water (30°C max).
Add a small amount of specialist wool or cashmere detergent, or even better, a drop of mild shampoo (my best tip). Cashmere needs to be treated like your hair: gently, and with the right products. Avoid regular detergent or fabric softener, they can strip the fibres and cause damage over time.
If there are specific spots or areas that need more attention, treat them individually. Press gently and softly, never rub, to lift the dirt without disturbing the fibres.
The Right Post-Wash
Rinse with Care
Once your garment is washed, it’s time to rinse, gently and with consistency. Avoid socking your jumper.
Use clean water at the same lukewarm temperature (30°C max) to avoid shocking the fibres.
Never wring or twist. Instead, gently press to remove excess water. This keeps the yarn intact and prevents unnecessary stretching.
Ditch the Damp Towels
High-Speed Machine Spin
Forget the towel-drying struggle. I’ve been washing cashmere and merino for over 25 years and never lost or damaged a garment using this method.
After gently pressing out water, place up to 3 garments side by side in the washing machine. Use the fastest gentle spin, enough to pin them to the drum without flopping. It removes excess moisture without damage, making drying quicker, safer, and more efficient.
Faster, gentler, smarter
Drying Done Right
Yes, many people dry cashmere flat, but once you’ve used the machine spin method, most of the water is already gone, leaving you with an almost dry garment.
From here, you can hang it on a wide hanger. For even faster results, place the garment between two parallel strings to let air circulate freely above and below. This simple setup speeds up drying while keeping the shape intact.
A little steam goes a long way
Removing Wrinkles
There’s a myth that you can’t iron cashmere, but that’s not true. You just need to do it right.
Once your garment is completely dry, lay it flat on your ironing board. Using your iron’s steam function, gently pass the iron just above or lightly over the fabric, steaming as you go. This helps revive the fibres and smooth out wrinkles without flattening the texture.
It’s a simple trick that keeps your cashmere looking fresh, soft, and beautifully finished.
Crisp Without Overwashing
Freshen Between Wears
Cashmere and Possum Merino are naturally breathable and odour-resistant, washing after every wear isn’t necessary. To keep your garment feeling fresh, let it breath and use a cashmere-safe fabric spray between wears.
You can even create your own: this one is made with lavender and cedar—a soothing scent combination that not only refreshes but also acts as a natural moth repellent.
Care Tips
To avoid pilling
Expect some light pilling at first, it’s completely normal. These tiny bobbles are simply loose fibres rising to the surface as your cashmere settles in.
Once the garment is dry, gently remove the pills using a cashmere comb or a soft fabric shaver, always working on a flat surface. Never cut them off, as this can damage the knit.
Storing With Care
In-Season
Fold, don’t hang. This helps maintain shape and avoid shoulder bumps.
Store in a drawer or shelf, not crammed too tightly.
Off-Season
Clean before storing. Moths love even tiny traces of food or body oils.
Store in a breathable cotton bag, with cedar balls or lavender sachets for natural moth protection.
Avoid airtight plastic bags, they trap moisture.
Revisit every couple of months to air and check.
"To care for natural fibres is to slow down and savour the process. These are not just garments, they're companions in the rhythm of everyday life. Treat them with gentleness, and they'll return the favour for years to come."
Esme