A Hania New York sweater is not just a garment; it is an heirloom. When you invest in a piece that has been hand-knit by a master artisan in New York City, you are investing in a lifetime of warmth.
However, many of our clients hesitate to wear their cashmere daily because of one common fear: "How do I clean this without ruining it?"
There is a misconception that luxury knitwear requires frequent trips to the dry cleaner. In reality, dry cleaning strips the natural oils from cashmere fibers, leaving them brittle and dull over time. The secret to keeping your Hania knits soft, fluffy, and vibrant is surprisingly simple: water.
Here is your definitive guide to caring for your hand-knit collection.
1. Washing: The Gentle Soak
Cashmere is a natural hair fiber. Just like your own hair, it responds best to gentle washing. We recommend washing your sweater once or twice a season—over-washing is unnecessary unless the garment is stained.
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Fill a basin with cool (tepid) water. Never use hot water, as it can shock the fibers and cause shrinking.
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Add a gentle cleanser. Use a dedicated wool wash (like Eucalan or The Laundress) or even a high-quality baby shampoo. Avoid harsh chemical detergents.
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Submerge and soak. Turn your sweater inside out and submerge it. Let it soak for 15–20 minutes.
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Do not agitate. Avoid scrubbing, twisting, or rubbing the fabric together. Just let the water do the work.
2. Drying: The "Burrito" Method
The most critical moment in cashmere care is how you handle it when wet. Wet cashmere is heavy and vulnerable to stretching.
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Rinse carefully. Drain the soapy water and refill with cool water to rinse.
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Do not wring. Never twist the sweater to get the water out.
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Roll it up. Lay a clean, dry white towel flat on the floor. Place your wet sweater on top of it. Roll the towel up with the sweater inside (like a burrito) and gently press down to absorb excess moisture.
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Lay flat to dry. Unroll the towel and transfer the damp sweater to a drying rack. Reshape it gently to its original dimensions. Never hang a wet sweater, as the weight of the water will stretch the shoulders and ruin the fit.
3. Depilling: A Sign of Quality
If you see small fuzzballs (pills) forming under the arms or along the sides, do not panic. Pilling is not a sign of poor quality; it is actually a sign of high-quality, natural soft fibers. Synthetic blends rarely pill because they are plastic; pure luxury cashmere will pill slightly when friction occurs.
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Use a Cashmere Comb. Lay the sweater flat and gently glide a cashmere comb over the affected areas.
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Avoid Razors. We do not recommend using electric fabric shavers, as one wrong move can cut the yarn.
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The "Bloom": After a wash and a comb, you will notice your Hania sweater looks even softer than the day you bought it. This is called the "bloom" of the cashmere.
4. Storage: Protecting Your Investment
When winter ends and you are ready to store your knits:
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Clean before storing. Moths are attracted to body oils and perfumes, not just the wool itself. Always wash your pieces before long-term storage.
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Breathable bags. Store your knits in breathable cotton or linen bags. Avoid plastic bins, which can trap moisture and cause yellowing.
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Cedar and Lavender. Tuck a cedar block or a sachet of dried lavender into the bag. These are natural moth repellents that smell wonderful.
The Hania New York Promise
We believe in slow fashion that lasts a lifetime. That is why we stand behind the quality of our craftsmanship.
Your knits are meant to be lived in, loved, and passed down. Wear them with confidence.
[Explore our latest Hand-Knit Collection]