March 2025
Care Guide: The Cable-Knit Cashmere Sweater
Wearing a cable-knit sweater connects you to history. For centuries, sailors wore such sweaters to protect them from the elements, with designs inspired by the ropes they used in their trade. Ours is crafted with high-quality Italian cashmere and hand-linked construction. To ensure your sweater provides you with many years of style and warmth, here are some tips.
Dry clean or hand wash.
How to hand wash it:
- Use cold water. Fill a sink or basin with cold or lukewarm water.
- Add mild detergent. Use a cashmere-specific detergent or mild baby shampoo. Avoid regular detergents, which might be too harsh.
- Soak gently. Turn the sweater inside out, submerge it, and gently swish it around for five minutes. Avoid twisting or scrubbing to prevent damaging the fibers.
- Rinse thoroughly under cold running water until no soap remains.
- Do not wring. Press the sweater gently against the sink's side to remove excess water.
After you wash it:
- Lay it flat. Place the sweater on a clean, dry towel or a mesh drying rack. Then, roll it up and press gently to absorb more water.
- Reshape gently. Adjust the sweater back to its original shape.
- Avoid direct heat. Do not hang or expose to direct sunlight or radiators, as they can cause shrinkage or stretching.
How to machine wash:
(if the care label allows)
- Place in a mesh bag. Turn the sweater inside out and put it in a garment bag to protect it.
- Use the gentle cycle. Select a cold water, wool, or delicate cycle.
- Use mild detergent only. A small amount of cashmere-friendly detergent works nicely.
- Air-dry. Follow the same flat-drying process as for hand washing.
Spot cleaning small stains:
- Dab the area gently with a cloth soaked in cool water mixed with a mild detergent. Rinse and let it air-dry.
How to repair snags:
- Check the size of the snag. Determine if it is a small pulled thread or a bigger hole.
- Do not pull on the snag. Tugging on the snag can make it worse and unravel more threads.
- If the snag is a single thread or small, follow these steps:
- Use a needle. If the snag is on the surface, use a needle (preferably a dull tipped one) and gently push the pulled thread back through the fabric from the back side of the sweater.
- Tie off the thread. If necessary, tie off the loose end of the thread to prevent it from unraveling further.
- Trim any excess. Carefully trim any excess thread after pushing it through the fabric to avoid creating a new snag.
- If the snag has created a large hole or weakened the fabric:
- Weave with a needle and thread. Use a small, matching thread to gently stitch across the hole or weak area. You can weave in and out of the fabric to strengthen it.
- Darning. For larger holes, a darning method with a fine yarn of a similar color can be used to weave over and under the fabric to close the gap.
- Iron-on patch (optional). If you are unable to stitch the hole or prefer a no-sew solution, use a fabric patch or iron-on mending kit. Ensure it matches the sweater's color and fabric for a smooth repair.
- Avoid friction with rough surfaces. Be mindful of sharp edges, belts, or jewelry that might cause snags.
How to prevent pilling:
- Hand wash or use delicate cycles, as described above, using a cashmere-specific or gentle detergent.
- Wash sparingly. Overwashing can lead to fiber wear, increasing pilling.
- Limit rubbing. Minimize rubbing your sweater against rough surfaces like bags or coats.
- Layer smartly. Wear smooth-fabric garments under or over your cashmere sweater to reduce friction.
- Allow your sweater to rest between wears to prevent excessive wear on the fibers.
- Fold instead of hanging. Hanging can stretch the fibers and contribute to pilling.
- Clean before storing. Wash your sweater before storing to remove oils and dirt that can exacerbate pilling.
- Use anti-pilling tools.
- A cashmere comb or a sweater stone can gently remove pills without damaging the fabric. Use them lightly and regularly to maintain a smooth surface.
- A fabric shaver can efficiently remove pills. Be careful not to press too hard.
Love It Longer
To ensure your Ralph Lauren product maintains quality for generations to come, always follow the care tips provided on each tag. For six of our most iconic products, we’ve sourced extra care tips from our design team.
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