Washing cashmere in the machine...

Of course I believe everything Sally Melville says about everything, but you know that there’s a part of me that just has to try it out and see for myself. So, this morning I filled the washing machine half way with warm water and added a capful of WoolMix (lavender). Then I dropped in my pink cashmere turtleneck sweater and turned the machine off to prevent agitation. After breakfast I went in and turned the dial to the final spin and waited with baited breath. My sweater emerged from its soak and spin exactly the same size as when it had gone it. And as predicted, it was nearly dry. So far so good.

Now for the final test: does a quick fluff in the dryer really perform the magical works Sally described? I loaded the dryer with a couple of dry towels and the sweater. Moved the setting to Air and pushed the button. Sally said five minutes, but after three I just had to know, and OH MY GOSH. My pink cashmere sweater looked gorgeous. Soft and fluffy and not a bit felted.

Here's a close-up

Bill had given me this sweater about five years ago, and I’d always had it dry cleaned. It was starting to look a little tired, and I wondered if it had just been worn out. But this little bath in WoolMix was exactly what it needed. Amazing! I never have to dry clean another sweater.