The cashmere season is winding down. Temperatures are rising, the heavy knits are being worn less, and at some point soon — probably sooner than it feels — it will be time to put everything away until autumn.
What happens in the next few weeks matters more than most people realise. Cashmere stored carelessly tends to come back out in need of attention. Cashmere stored properly comes back out ready to wear. The difference isn't complicated, but it is deliberate.
Here's how to do it right.
Start with a clean piece — always
This is the step most people skip, and the one that causes the most damage.
Moths are not attracted to cashmere itself. They are attracted to cashmere that has been worn — the traces of perspiration, skin, and organic matter that remain in the fibres after a season of use. A piece that goes into storage clean is a far less appealing target than one that doesn't.
Before anything gets folded away, it needs to be properly cleaned. Not a quick freshen-up, but a genuine wash. If you're doing it at home, use a specialist cashmere wash — one formulated for delicate fibres, not a standard detergent. Our Eco Cashmere Wash is infused with cedarwood, which acts as a natural moth deterrent as well as cleaning gently and effectively.
If you'd rather leave it to us, our Specialist Cashmere Laundry service handles the whole process — de-bobbling, cleaning with eco-friendly products, and returning your pieces in excellent condition, ready to be stored.
Don't hang it — fold it
Hanging cashmere for months at a time causes the fibres to stretch under their own weight. You'll pull the piece out in October and find it longer than it went in, the shoulders pulled out of shape.
Once clean and fully dry, fold your cashmere neatly. Lay it flat, smooth it out, and stack or place it somewhere it won't be compressed under heavy items.
Use the right storage bag
The bag matters more than people think. Plastic bags that don't breathe trap moisture, and moisture in a sealed bag over several months is a reliable way to introduce mildew to fibres that were perfectly fine when they went in.
Our Knitwear Storage Bags are made from recycled plastic and designed specifically for cashmere and knitwear storage. Breathable enough to prevent moisture build-up, robust enough to keep dust, insects, and light out. They come in two sizes — medium (36 x 36cm) and large (41 x 41cm) — so whether you're storing a lightweight crew neck or a chunky throw, there's a fit that works. Available in packs of five, they're the kind of thing worth having on hand before you start packing things away.
Moths: what you're actually protecting against
Moth damage is one of the most common and most avoidable problems we see at Cashmere Circle. Understanding how it happens makes it easier to prevent.
It's not the adult moth that damages fabric it's the larvae. Adult moths lay their eggs on natural fibres, and it's the larvae that hatch and feed. This is why moth season, which peaks from spring through early autumn in the UK, is precisely the window when cashmere is being put into storage. The timing is not in your favour unless you take precautions.
Two things help significantly. First, lavender. The scent is a natural deterrent moths dislike it. Place a lavender sachet inside each storage bag. Our Scottish-picked Lavender Pouches are made for exactly this and will keep your pieces smelling fresh at the same time. Second, moth traps. These catch adult moths before they can lay eggs, interrupting the cycle. Place them in the corners of wardrobes and drawers throughout the warmer months.
Neither of these replaces the clean-first step. A moth trap next to a dirty cashmere jumper is still a losing battle.
Where to store it
Cool and dry is what you're looking for. A wardrobe or a drawer in a room that doesn't get too warm. Away from direct sunlight, which fades colour and weakens fibres over time. And away from damp - a basement or an area prone to humidity is not the right place for cashmere.
Deal with damage before you store
If you've noticed something this season; a snag, a hole, a stain that needs attention now is a better time to deal with it than autumn. Damage that goes into storage has a habit of quietly worsening over the months. And pieces you were hoping to wear again in September won't be ready if they're sitting in a repair queue when the temperature drops.
Our repair services are open now. Whether it's a small hole, a moth trail, or something more significant, send it to us before it goes away for the summer. It'll come back to you mended and ready.
The short version
Clean it properly, fold it, store it in a breathable bag with lavender, keep the environment cool and dry, and deal with any damage before it goes away. Five steps, done once, that protect pieces you've spent years wearing and that handled correctly can last decades more.
If you have questions about any of this, we're always happy to help. Reach us at info@cashmerecircle.com.