How to Care for Your Pashmina and Wool Shawls (So They Last for Years)

A well-made shawl can last for decades. Many families in Swat and Kashmir still wear shawls that belonged to their grandparents. But natural fibres need a little care, and a single bad wash or one summer in the wrong cupboard can undo years of beauty.

The good news: looking after a shawl is simple once you know the basics.

The golden rules

1. Wash as little as possible. Shawls don't touch your skin the way clothes do. Airing is usually enough.
2. Never wring, twist or rub. Wet fibres stretch and felt easily.
3. Dry flat, in the shade. Never hang a wet shawl, and never dry it in direct sun.
4. Store folded, never on a hanger. Hangers stretch the cloth and leave marks.
5. Protect from moths. They love natural fibres more than you do.

After each wear

Hang the shawl over a chair or airer for a few hours, away from direct sunlight, to let it breathe before you fold it away. This lets any moisture and smells escape, and it's the single easiest thing you can do to keep a shawl fresh.

If there's any light dust or lint, shake it out gently or use a soft clothes brush in the direction of the weave.

Cleaning by shawl type

Pashmina, Palladar ring shawls, Kani and sozni

Dry clean only. Fine pashmina, woven Kani patterns and hand embroidery are too delicate for home washing. Take them to a dry cleaner you trust, and tell them it's pashmina. Avoid any cleaner who wants to machine-press it at high heat.

For a small fresh stain, blot (don't rub) with a clean, damp white cloth, then let it dry flat and take it to the dry cleaner soon.

Swati wool shawls, including Swati shahtoosh

These are sturdier, but gentle care still keeps them soft:

• Dry cleaning is safest, especially for embroidered pieces.
• If you hand wash, use cold water and a mild wool wash or baby shampoo.
• Soak for a few minutes, swish gently, and rinse in cold water.
• Press the water out between your palms, then roll the shawl in a dry towel to soak up the rest.
• Lay it flat on a fresh towel to dry, in the shade.

Never machine wash or tumble dry. Heat and agitation will shrink and felt wool.

Ironing and steaming

• Steaming is best. A handheld steamer, held a little away from the fabric, relaxes creases without pressing the fibres flat.
• If you must iron, use the lowest wool setting, with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the shawl.
• Never iron directly on embroidery or zari. Turn the shawl over and press gently from the back.

Storing between seasons

When winter ends, here's how to put your shawls away properly:

1. Make sure they're clean. Moths are drawn to traces of food, sweat and perfume, so clean shawls before storing them for the summer.
2. Fold, don't hang. Fold loosely, and don't stack too many on top of each other.
3. Use breathable bags. A cotton or muslin bag, or an old cotton dupatta, is perfect. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture.
4. Add natural moth repellents. Cedar blocks, dried neem leaves, or lavender sachets all help. Avoid putting naphthalene balls directly against the fabric.
5. Keep them somewhere cool and dry, away from walls that get damp during the monsoon.
6. Check them once or twice over summer. Take them out, air them and refold them along different lines, so the folds don't set permanently.

Dealing with pilling

All natural fibres can pill a little where they rub, such as under a bag strap. It isn't a sign of poor quality. Remove pills gently with your fingers or a fabric comb. Don't use a razor or electric shaver on pashmina.

A special note on ring shawls

A Palladar ring shawl is fine enough to pass through a ring, but it isn't necessary to do it often. Pulling any shawl through a ring puts stress on the threads, especially Ek Rukh pieces with threads on the back. Do it to admire it, not every time you wear it. Read more about ring shawls here.

Quick reference

Look after your shawl, and it'll look after you, winter after winter.

Our shawls arrive in a sturdy branded box, which also makes a good place to keep yours between seasons. Browse the full shawl collection.