Pashmina Care: Himalayan Wool Tips

The winter season has given way to the blazing summer, and that means a lot of the thick, woollen clothes have to go back into storage. From chunky sweaters to corduroy pants and trench coats, winter clothing

has to be cleaned and stored properly during the summer and rainy season so that they can be reused in the winters.

Usually winter clothing can be expensive and is an investment piece that can be worn on multiple occasions and in different ways. It is vital that they are stored with care and in the proper manner so that they last a long time.

One such material that is predominantly worn in the winter is pashmina.

“Pashmina is not just another winter garment. It is the result of weeks of careful spinning and weaving, often performed entirely by hand. Many people do not realise that the fibre is extremely delicate. It reacts quickly to heat, harsh detergents, and excessive friction. A single incorrect wash can weaken the softness and structure that took a long time to create,” says Nishant Malhotra, Founder, WeaverStory.

Pashmina is the world’s finest luxury wool, hand-harvested from the soft undercoat of Changthangi goats thriving in the icy Himalayas of Ladakh and Kashmir. Known as “soft gold,” its fibres offer unmatched warmth, lightness, and buttery softness—three times more insulating than sheep wool. Prized since Mughal times, authentic pieces are hand-combed in spring, cleaned, hand-spun on charkhas, and woven by Kashmiri artisans into shawls that pass the ring test.

Pashmina often goes from being worn daily to being stored away for months. It is during this transition period that most damage occurs, usually with the best intentions. Many people wash it like regular wool or store it in plastic covers without allowing the fabric to breathe.

Nishant Malhotra explains that caring for pashmina is less about cleaning and more about respect. It does not require frequent washing. “In most cases, gentle airing is sufficient. When washing becomes necessary, it should always be done with a mild soap, cold water, and very light handling. Drying it flat, away from direct sunlight, helps to preserve its texture and natural sheen,” he says.

Avoid wringing the material, and before storing the pashmina garments, ensure it is completely dry and fold them in soft muslin cloth instead of plastic covers so the fibres can breathe naturally.

If stored properly in breathable fabric and kept away from moisture, a good pashmina can last for decades. Nishant Malhotra says, “When preserving a shawl or a sweater made of pashmina, it is also about preserving the craft, the skill, and the quiet labour behind it.”