Cashmere, silk and like materials require delicate laundering to minimize color fading and extend the life of your garments. Even if your washing machine has a gentle cycle, you can't just toss all of your fine fabrics into the washer and dryer and expect them to come out like new. You need to take time and care to give them the proper cleaning they deserve.
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Start by reading the label. If your favorite sweater says "dry clean only" you may be able to hand-wash it at home, depending on the fabric. Manufacturers are only required to put one washing method on the label, and the one they cite is usually the least likely to damage your clothing.
If the label says "hand wash only," don't use the washing machine's gentle cycle. The agitation could cause the fabric to shrink. You need to roll up your sleeves and clean your sink. Fill it with water and add some detergent such as Woolite, which is generally safe for all fine washables. You might want to test the washing detergent on an inconspicuous piece of your clothing to make sure it's color-fast. Swish your garment around in the water for about five minutes. Next, drain the water and rinse out the soap. Squeeze out the extra water without wringing the fabric.
Place a clean towel on a table, neatly lay your garment on it and roll it in the towel. Squeeze out any excess water. Then lay your garment on another dry towel and lay it across a clothing rack. After one side dries, turn it over so the other side can dry. This is more work than turning on the washing machine but it's worth it. Martha Stewart would be proud.
Now that you know to wash clothes by hand, you need to get acquainted with your fabric. The washer should be OK for cottons in solid colors, wool, rayon, linen and washable silk. Read the label to make sure. If your items don't appear to be color-fast, or if they are embellished with beads or any kind of special stitching the label will probably say "dry clean only." Ditto for traditional silk. It's a sure bet that vintage items that do not have a label should be dry cleaned, too.
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Some tips tailored to specific fabrics:
Cashmere
Contrary to popular belief, cashmere does not always have to be dry-cleaned. Soap and water will do the trick, as long as you use a detergent such as Woolite and cold water. You can soak your cashmere sweaters and socks in Woolite for about 20 minutes while you gently squeeze the soapy water through them. Use cool water to carefully rinse, and use a towel to squeeze out the extra water. Dry them on a draying rack, as explained earlier. Keep the drying rack indoors because sunlight could fade your cashmere.
If you prefer to have your cashmere dry-cleaned, be warned that the chemical treatments might shorten the lifespan your cashmere sweaters.
Silk
Dry cleaning has been known to shrink some types of silk, so unless the label says "dry clean only," you should hand-wash silk clothing with cold water and a mild detergent. Baby shampoo (or other non-alkaline soaps) is also an option. Rinse away the soap residue with cold water. To keep your silk soft, add some hair conditioner to the rinse water. Roll the item on a towel, just as you would for cashmere, and squeeze out extra any water. Then hang it up to dry, away from the sun. You could also use the air setting on the dryer, as long as the heat is turned off. If ironing is absolutely necessary, use a cool setting and place a press cloth between the fabric and the iron.
If your silk clothing is stained, lemon juice and vinegar might get the stain out. Just be sure to test an inconspicuous area first.
Wool
With a wool cleaner, you can easily wash your woolen sweaters at home. Place your sweater in lukewarm water and detergent that is safe for wool. Then gently, repeatedly push your sweater back and forth in the water. Don not rub, wring or scrub. After washing, squeeze out the excess water. Fill your sink with more lukewarm water and go through the same motions to rinse as you did to wash. Repeat until the water is clear. Then, squeeze out the excess water and roll the sweater into a thick towel and squeeze it some more. Remove your sweater from the towel and fluff it into shape. Allow it to dry flat and out of the sunlight.
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Check the label. If your sweater is 50% wool, it will be less likely to shrink than 100% wool, but the risk of shrinkage is still there. Wool carries a higher risk of shrinkage than any other fiber.
Suede
Suede is pretty darn tough to clean at home, and if you're not careful you could ruin your suede clothing beyond repair. Professional cleaning is your best bet. However, you can try to remove small stains that are dry by rubbing them with a new pencil eraser. You may also be able to use a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove dirt, or use a fingernail file to scrap off the dirt. Water spots should be rubbed with a suede brush or terry cloth.
By no means use any stain removers that contain chemicals on suede items.
Leather
You can use a mild soap and water to clean your leather products. Be careful that you don't saturate your leather. After washing, rinse with a damp sponge and allow it to dry thoroughly. Some mink oil or leather conditioner will help your leather retain its buttery appearance.
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Under normal circumstances, leather should be cleaned and conditioned only once a year. Dry cleaning is not necessary, unless the leather is extremely stained. In that case, you should find a dry cleaner that specializes in leather.