Care Guide
Care for your wool, and it will last a lifetime.
Natural fibres are different from synthetic clothing. A little extra attention keeps your Cilvella pieces beautiful for decades — not just seasons.
The six golden rules.
Wash gently
Hand wash or wool cycle at max 30°C. Use a gentle wool detergent — never regular laundry powder.
Dry flat
Never tumble dry. Press out water in a towel, reshape, and lay flat to air dry naturally.
Steam, don't iron
Use a steamer held a few centimetres from the fabric. Never iron directly on wool or cashmere.
Fold, don't hang
Always store folded. A hanger stretches the shoulders and distorts the shape over time.
Remove pilling
Light pilling is normal. Use a fabric comb or cashmere brush to gently remove pills.
Wash less often
Wool resists odour naturally. Air your garment outside between wears instead of washing.
Caring for your Merino.
✓ DO
- Wash at 30°C on a wool or delicate cycle
- Set spin speed to max 600 rpm
- Use a wool-specific detergent (e.g. Woolite)
- Lay flat to dry in its natural shape
- Store folded in a cool, dry drawer
- Air between wears to keep fresh
- Use a fabric comb to remove pilling
- Steam gently to remove creases
✗ DON'T
- Tumble dry — ever
- Spin above 600 rpm — causes shrinkage
- Wring or twist the wet garment
- Iron directly on the fabric
- Hang on a hanger — stretches the shoulders
- Wash too frequently — it weakens fibres
- Use bleach or fabric softener
- Wash in hot water above 30°C
Caring for your Cashmere.
✓ DO
- Hand wash only in cool water (max 30°C)
- Use a cashmere-specific gentle detergent
- Gently squeeze — never wring
- Lay flat to dry on a clean towel
- Store in a breathable cotton bag
- Use a cashmere comb regularly
- Steam lightly to freshen
✗ DON'T
- Machine wash — always hand wash cashmere
- Tumble dry under any circumstances
- Hang on a hanger — ever
- Iron directly — cashmere is very delicate
- Store in plastic bags — needs to breathe
- Spray perfume directly on cashmere
- Wash more than necessary
Common questions.
My wool garment shrank — what happened?
Shrinkage is almost always caused by heat or agitation — either washing above 30°C, spinning above 600 rpm, or tumble drying. Even on a wool cycle, a high spin speed alone is enough to cause shrinkage.
If your garment has already shrunk, there is a chance you can partially restore it. Soak it for 30 minutes in lukewarm water with a small amount of hair conditioner. Gently press out the water — never wring — then carefully stretch it back into shape while still wet and lay it flat to dry. Results vary, but it often helps with light to moderate shrinkage.
My sweater is pilling — is it poor quality?
No — pilling is completely normal in natural wool and cashmere, especially in the first few wears. Use a fabric comb or cashmere brush to remove the pills and the garment will look as good as new.
How often should I wash my wool clothing?
Much less often than you'd think. After each wear, air the garment outdoors for a few hours — this refreshes it without washing. Most people wash their wool garments 3–5 times per season.
How do I store wool between seasons?
Always clean the garment before storing — even light perspiration can attract moths. Fold and store in a breathable cotton bag with a cedar block or lavender sachet. Never store in plastic.
My garment has a stain — how do I treat it?
Act quickly — blot (don't rub) with a clean cloth. Apply a small amount of wool detergent directly to the stain, leave for a few minutes, then rinse in cool water. Never use hot water as it can set the stain permanently.