Cashmere, a rare special animal fiber, originates from a secret treasure beneath the skin of goats - it is a layer of delicate fine wool that attaches to the roots of coarse hair and has a very thin thickness. Whenever goats adapt to seasonal changes and prepare to shed their heavy winter clothing, it is the best time to collect cashmere. However, this gift from nature is rare, and the scarcity of production and outstanding quality complement each other, making cashmere known as "soft gold" in the global fiber industry.

Its texture is as light as nothing, yet incredibly flexible, with a gentle touch like clouds and a strong texture like threads. Once woven into clothing, cashmere transforms into an invisible warm sun, gently enveloping the body and conveying eternal warmth and comfort. Whether it's a cold winter or a slightly cooler spring and autumn, a piece of cashmere fabric can provide wearers with an incredibly comfortable experience, like a second layer of delicate skin, making it an ideal choice to resist coldness and care for body temperature.

According to the national standard FZ/T73009-2021 "Cashmere Knitwear", for products defined as pure cashmere sweaters, the cashmere content must meet or exceed a strict threshold of 95%. For cashmere sweaters, it is required to contain at least 30% or more of the cashmere content. It is worth noting that any knitted product with less than 30% cashmere content does not have the right to be labeled as a "cashmere sweater" according to this standard.

This means that in the process of selecting cashmere sweaters, consumers should not solely rely on the name on the product label to determine its authenticity and quality, but should focus on examining the clearly marked cashmere content value on the label. Only when the cashmere proportion in the blended fabric reaches or exceeds the legal threshold of 30%, can the clothing be considered a legitimate and genuine cashmere sweater.

1. Raw material source: Coarse wool cut from sheep, Merino sheep and other breeds, collectively referred to as wool; And cashmere specifically refers to the delicate inner layer of fine wool beneath the coarse hair of goats.

2. Fiber size: Wool has a wide range of diameters, ranging from 10 to 40 microns, with lengths typically ranging from 7.5 to 12 centimeters; In contrast, cashmere has a finer diameter, concentrated between 13 to 19 microns, and a length of at least 34 microns or more.

3. Physical properties: Due to its low density and hollow structure, cashmere fibers can effectively preserve air, thereby enhancing thermal insulation performance. The number of scales is significantly less than that of wool, reducing the incidence of pilling. However, cashmere also has shortcomings, that is, its strength is lower than that of wool, leading to weak resistance to tearing and easy wrinkling.

4. Production comparison: The wool production is huge, with an average annual contribution of 10 to 18 kilograms per sheep; On the contrary, cashmere is extremely scarce, with each goat producing only about 100 grams of wool throughout the year, and the net wool obtained after processing is only a few tens of grams.

According to GB18401-2010 "National Basic Safety Technical Specification for Textile Products", textiles are classified into three categories based on their ultimate service target and their contact with the human body:

Class A: Textiles designed and manufactured specifically for infants and young children aged 36 months and below, which will fully cover or tightly adhere to the skin of infants and young children during use.

Class B: Refers to textiles, such as underwear, pajamas, socks, etc., that come into direct contact with human skin during wearing or use.

Class C: Suitable for textiles that do not come into direct contact with the skin or only have a small amount of accidental contact with the skin, such as jackets, curtains, carpets, etc. These products maintain a certain distance from the human skin or only have local contact under normal use.

According to the FZ/T73009-2021 "Cashmere Knitwear" standard, cashmere knitwear is strictly divided into three levels based on its quality, namely superior, first-class, and qualified. It is particularly noteworthy that among these three levels, the standard for superior products is particularly strict, clearly stipulating that the average diameter of cashmere fibers must not exceed 15.5 microns. This fineness index not only reflects the extreme delicacy of superior cashmere knitwear fibers, but also indirectly reflects their excellent performance in softness, glossiness, and wearing comfort. It is one of the important parameters to measure the quality of top grade cashmere products.

1. Color discrimination: The colors of imitation cashmere products are often too bright and have a chemical synthesis feeling, giving people a dazzling visual impact. In contrast, the color of authentic cashmere presents a soft and natural texture, filled with the warm luster unique to animal fibers.

2. Touch: Although imitation cashmere products have a smooth and elastic surface, they lack softness and fluffiness. However, real cashmere has a delicate hand feel, good skin affinity and moisture absorption, and brings an extremely comfortable and smooth experience when in contact with the skin.

3. Fiber: The key to identifying the authenticity of cashmere lies in careful observation of its fiber characteristics. Chemical fibers mixed inside cashmere are usually straight and long, without any natural curls, and are not easily broken when pulled; On the contrary, pure cashmere fibers have a natural curly shape and relatively short fiber length, which clearly reveals their natural properties.

1、Observation signs：The first step is to examine the velvet content on the clothing tag to confirm if it matches the selling price, in order to determine whether its cost-effectiveness is reasonable.

2、Feel the touch：By rubbing with your hands, you can perceive the elasticity of a cashmere sweater. High quality cashmere sweaters should have good resilience, a soft and not stiff hand feel.

3、Smell the odor：High quality cashmere sweaters should not emit any pungent odor, and their fur length should exhibit uniform and consistent characteristics without any length differences. Through olfactory and visual double testing, the quality of cashmere sweaters can be further confirmed to be pure.

1. Reading washing labels:Firstly, check the washing label on the inside of the cashmere sweater to confirm the manufacturer's recommended cleaning method, including water temperature restrictions and whether hand washing or machine washing is allowed.

2. Choose detergent:Use neutral detergents specifically designed for cashmere or fine fibers to avoid alkaline or enzyme containing ordinary laundry detergent, in order to reduce damage to cashmere fibers. You can add an appropriate amount of softener to the detergent to increase the softness of the clothing.

3. Control water temperature and time:Wash with cold water or warm water not exceeding 30 ℃. Excessive temperature may cause cashmere to shrink. The entire washing process should be as fast as possible to avoid prolonged soaking, generally not exceeding 15-30 minutes.

4. Gentle washing:When washing by hand, turn the cashmere sweater over to the back and avoid direct rubbing. Instead, clean it by gently pinching or pressing, especially avoiding excessive pulling on easily worn parts such as the collar and cuffs,You can use a soft bristled brush to gently scrub the stained parts, but do not vigorously rub or use a brush to scrub the entire garment.

5. Flushing and drainage:After cleaning, gently rinse with clean water until the detergent is completely washed. Avoid strong rinsing directly under the faucet. When draining, do not twist or pull hard, gently press to remove excess water.

6. Drying by suction and flat air drying:Wrap the cashmere sweater with a towel or bath towel, gently roll it up and pinch it with the palm of your hand to absorb the remaining moisture. Then lay the cashmere sweater flat on a drying basket or mesh surface, and place it in a cool and ventilated place to dry naturally, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent fiber damage and color fading.

7. Organizing and storing:After the cashmere sweater is air dried, it can be gently tapped to restore its fluffiness. If necessary, it can be ironed at low temperature (avoid directly ironing the surface of the cashmere, use a cloth pad for ironing); When storing, it should be folded flat and placed in a dust-proof bag or wardrobe to avoid hanging, to prevent clothes from stretching and deforming due to their own weight. At the same time, mothproof and mildew proof items can be placed in the wardrobe to ensure a dry and ventilated storage environment.

1. Oil stains:

First, use a clean absorbent tissue or fabric to absorb surface oil as much as possible;

Apply a small amount of neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent to the stain and gently rub it;

Let it stand for 5-10 minutes to allow the detergent to fully penetrate and decompose the oil stains;

Gently rinse with clean water until the stains disappear;

Gently press and absorb moisture with a towel, then lay it flat and air dry.

2. Wine stains:

Absorb excess liquid with a clean tissue as soon as possible;

Wet the stain with cold water to avoid hot water causing the stain to solidify;

Apply an appropriate amount of neutral detergent and gently rub it;

If there is still residue, try gently wiping with alcohol or white vinegar (test the reaction of clothing to alcohol or vinegar to avoid fading);

Rinse thoroughly with clean water and lay flat to dry.

3. Coffee/Tea Stains:

Immediately rinse with cold water to dilute the stains as much as possible;

Use neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent to gently rub and wash;

If the stain is stubborn, you can try dropping hydrogen peroxide (concentration 3%) onto the stain, let it stand for 5 minutes, and then rinse with clean water (note that hydrogen peroxide may cause some colors to fade, test in a concealed area first);

Lay flat and air dry.

4. Blood stains:

Immediately rinse fresh blood stains with cold water to avoid blood clotting;

Gently rub with cold water and a small amount of salt or lemon juice;

For dried blood stains, soak them in cold water first, then apply neutral detergent and gently rub them;

If there is still residue, it can be soaked in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (hydrogen peroxide) and rinsed with clean water after the blood stain has faded;

Lay flat and air dry.

5. Cosmetic stains:

Soak up excess cosmetics with a clean tissue as soon as possible;

Wet the stain with cold water, apply neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent, and gently rub it;

If necessary, gently wipe with alcohol (test in a concealed area first);

Rinse thoroughly with clean water and lay flat to dry.

6. Juice stains:

Soak up excess juice with a clean tissue as soon as possible to prevent it from penetrating deep into the fibers;

Apply an appropriate amount of neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent to the stain, and gently rub it;

Leave the detergent on the stain for 5-10 minutes to help break down the juice pigment;

Rinse the stains with clean water until the detergent and stains are completely removed;

Gently press and absorb moisture with a towel, then lay it flat and air dry.

7. Ink stains:

As soon as possible, use absorbent tissue to absorb the surface ink and avoid its diffusion;

Pour alcohol or isopropanol onto the stain, gently wipe with a cotton swab, being careful not to rub vigorously to prevent ink from spreading. For water-based ink, you can try gently scrubbing it with water and neutral detergent;

If there is still residue, apply neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent and gently rub it;

Leave the detergent on the stain for 5-10 minutes to help break down the ink;

Rinse the stains with clean water until the detergent and stains are completely removed;

Gently press and absorb moisture with a towel, then lay it flat and air dry.

8. Grass stains:

Gently wipe with a clean tissue or cloth to remove surface grass and stains as much as possible;

Apply an appropriate amount of neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent to the stain, and gently rub it;

Leave the detergent on the stain for 5-10 minutes to help break down the grass stains;

Rinse the stains with clean water until the detergent and stains are completely removed;

Gently press and absorb moisture with a towel, then lay it flat and air dry.

9. Chocolate stain:

Soak up excess chocolate with a clean tissue as soon as possible to prevent it from hardening;

Wet the stained area with cold water, then apply an appropriate amount of neutral detergent or special cashmere detergent, and gently rub it;

Leave the detergent on the stain for 5-10 minutes to help it penetrate deeply and decompose the chocolate pigment;

Rinse the stains with clean water until the detergent and stains are completely removed;

Gently press and absorb moisture with a towel, then lay it flat and air dry.

10. Sauce and oil stains:

As soon as possible, use a clean tissue to absorb excess soy sauce and prevent it from penetrating deep into the fibers;

Apply an appropriate amount of neutral detergent or specialized cashmere detergent to the stain, and gently rub it;

Leave the detergent on the stain for 5-10 minutes to help break down the soy sauce pigment;

Rinse the stains with clean water until the detergent and stains are completely removed;

Gently press and absorb moisture with a towel, then lay it flat and air dry.

Regardless of the price, cashmere sweaters cannot completely avoid pilling, which is determined by the essential characteristics of their fabric material. In addition, environmental factors such as excessively dry air and excessive accumulation of static electricity can also exacerbate pilling problems. A completely non pilling cashmere sweater is definitely not pure cashmere.

Removing fuzz balls: When facing pilling on cashmere sweaters, it is recommended to use a fuzz remover to gently remove the fuzz balls and avoid using fingers to directly buckle or tear them, in order to prevent accidental pulling of threads during operation. When using a fuzz remover, be sure to maintain gentle and patient movements. 

Cleaning and maintenance: After removing the fuzz, clean the cashmere sweater with cold water at around 30 degrees Celsius and an appropriate amount of neutral laundry detergent. During the washing process, adding softeners in a timely manner can help improve the softness of the clothes, reduce the friction between fibers, and thus reduce the risk of pilling. After cleaning, air dry the sweater properly to restore its original softness and comfort.

 Daily matching and environmental control: When wearing cashmere sweaters, it is recommended to choose soft and non static underwear or base shirts to reduce friction and static accumulation between the two. In addition, maintain a suitable humidity in the living environment to avoid excessive drying of the air, which is also an effective measure to suppress the pilling of cashmere sweaters.

The shrinkage of cashmere sweaters mainly depends on their fiber composition and structure. If the clothing is a blend of cashmere and wool, due to the inherent shrinkage characteristics of wool, such clothing will undergo size shrinkage after washing. In contrast, pure cashmere itself does not have a shrinkage tendency. The raw material of cashmere sweaters, cashmere, has a looser scale structure compared to wool, so its shrinkage is smaller. However, even if a pure cashmere sweater is washed improperly, it may still cause shrinkage deformation.

Steam ironing method: For shrunk cashmere sweaters, a steam iron can be used to heat them, and after stretching the shrunk area, a towel can be placed on the bottom to allow them to lie flat and air dry naturally. This method is expected to restore the cashmere sweaters to their original state.

Thick cardboard shaping method: If the cashmere sweater shrinks severely, hard cardboard can be used to assist in shaping. The specific operation is to cut the cardboard according to the original size of the cashmere sweater, put it inside the clothing, fix it with clips, and combine steam ironing to reshape the original shape of the cashmere sweater.

Professional dry cleaning shop handling: Seek help from a dry cleaning shop and use the professional shelves equipped in the shop that match the clothing model to hang the cashmere sweater on it. Through high-temperature steam treatment, the cashmere sweater can be successfully restored to its original size and style.

Firstly, before storing the cashmere sweater, it is necessary to ensure that it has been thoroughly cleaned and fully dried. Then, fold the sweater flat and store it in a dedicated clothing bag. Avoid hanging it for storage to avoid changing the shape of the clothing. In addition, pay attention to avoiding light during storage to prevent the clothing from fading due to prolonged exposure to light. In order to maintain good ventilation in the storage environment, the wardrobe door or drawer should be opened regularly to promote air circulation. At the same time, it is recommended to place anti mold and anti insect tablets in the wardrobe to effectively prevent the cashmere sweater from getting damp, moldy, or insect infested due to high humidity.

The so-called "sheep wool" is not real cashmere, but only ordinary wool from sheep. Some people in the market mistakenly refer to sheep's fine wool as "sheep wool", which confuses the two completely different concepts of cashmere and wool. It has been proven that sheep wool is not related to real cashmere and belongs to two different categories of animal fibers.

Due to the characteristics of its mixed materials, cashmere sweaters are more prone to static electricity compared to pure cotton clothing. To reduce the problem of static electricity, the following strategies can be adopted: maintain personal hygiene, ensure that the skin is moderately moist through frequent bathing, which helps to reduce static electricity generation; In addition, adding an appropriate amount of softener when cleaning cashmere sweaters can help reduce the friction coefficient between clothes and effectively suppress the generation of static electricity. In short, increasing body humidity and using softeners to protect cashmere sweaters can help reduce the occurrence of static electricity problems in cashmere sweaters.

Cashmere sweaters should not be machine washed as this method may lead to multiple negative effects:

1. Causing significant shrinkage phenomenon;

2. Will weaken its original insulation performance;

3. Inducing color fading issues;

4. Make the clothing feel rough or even stiff.

Given the above risks, the correct way to ensure proper maintenance of cashmere sweaters is to clean them by hand washing.