How to Care for Your Heirloom Pashmina

A genuine Pashmina shawl, properly maintained, will outlast you. That is not a marketing claim. There are authenticated Kashmiri Pashminas in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris that were woven in the 18th and 19th centuries and remain — their colours still coherent, their weave still intact — entirely wearable today.

What enables this longevity is not magic. It is care — specific, consistent, and informed by an understanding of what Pashmina is and what it is not.

Storage

Pashmina’s primary enemy is not use — it is poor storage. Fine fibres are vulnerable to three things: moisture, light, and insects.

• Fold, never hang. Hanging places constant stress on the fibres at the point of the hanger, which can cause thinning and eventual damage. Always store your shawl folded.
• Use the muslin bag. Every ITQĀSH piece comes in a muslin storage bag. This is not decorative packaging — it is the recommended long-term home for your shawl. The muslin allows the fibre to breathe while protecting against dust and light.
• Keep it dark. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will fade even the most stable dyes over time.
• Cedar, not mothballs. Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets rather than chemical mothballs, which can damage fibres. Replace cedar every few months as the scent diminishes.

Cleaning

For pieces with Sozni embroidery, dry cleaning is essential. A reputable dry cleaner should be briefed specifically: this is 100% Pashmina with hand embroidery — no heat, cold process only.

For plain-woven Pashmina, careful hand washing is possible:

1. Fill a basin with cold water (no warmer than 30°C).
2. Add a very small amount of mild shampoo or specialist wool wash.
3. Immerse the shawl and gently move it through the water. Do not rub, twist, or wring.
4. Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear.
5. Lay the shawl flat on a clean dry towel and roll the towel gently to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry, reshaping to its original dimensions. Never hang to dry.

Managing Pills

Pilling is a natural consequence of wear in any fine natural fibre. It is not a defect; it is evidence that the fibre is real. Use a cashmere comb to gently rake the surface in the direction of the weave, then remove loosened pills by hand.

Pulled Threads

If a thread is pulled, do not cut it. Instead, use a blunt tapestry needle to ease the thread gently back through to the reverse side of the cloth. If the pull is significant, contact us before doing anything — we will advise.

The Long View

A Pashmina shawl is not a garment in the ordinary sense. It is an object made to be passed down — to a daughter, a granddaughter, a friend who understands what they are holding. The care you give it now is the beginning of a relationship that can outlast both of you.

If you ever have questions about caring for your ITQĀSH piece, please contact us at hello@itqash.com. We are here.