What is the difference between cashmere and wool

To survive in the freezing cold temperatures of their natural habitat, these special goats grow a down-like coat. That said, because the fibers of cashmere are so much finer than that of wool, cashmere is better at trapping heat without extra weight or bulk. Of course, the thicker fibers of wool do make for a sweater that is more durable, albeit somewhat rougher on the skin. Still, the durability of any given garment depends mostly on the quality of the wool or cashmere, as this can vary in both cases.

So, what do you need to know when caring for your sweater collection? Cashmere can be easily damaged by improper cleaning and actually fares much better when cleaned infrequently.

Pro tip: The cashmere experts at State Cashmere suggest hanging a cashmere sweater up in the bathroom while you shower so the steam can clean it.

Most wool garments can be machine washed as long as they are hung dry, so caring for wool sweaters is fairly straightforward. Finally, wool is a great choice if you want to stay warm without breaking the bank—since a single Kashmir goat does not produce a huge volume of cashmere, garments made of this material tend to be considerably more expensive.

This Will Be the Amazon Coat of Does Hand Sanitizer Work? We Ask Hamptons Chicago San Francisco. Connect With Us. Are you sure you want to remove this item from your Recipe Box? The good news is that neither fabric is likely to run up much of a dry cleaning bill as the majority of care can be done at home. Wool and cashmere are both naturally antimicrobial so they're not likely to get as stinky as your favorite T-shirts , even if you sweat in them.

Martha Stewart advises that hand-washing is best for wool and cashmere garments. Fill a basin or large bowl with tepid not hot water and add a bit of wool cleanser or shampoo.

Gently submerge the sweater, and swirl it around for a minute or two, then soak for up to 30 minutes. The fine wool is much thinner and it's scales aren't as large, but if we compare it to cashmere, it becomes very obvious how the fine wool has a lot more scales.

These scales have a lot to do with why wool and low quality cashmere feels itchy. When the fiber runs against skin, these scales can 'catch' on the skin causing irritation. People with very sensitive skin will have a stronger reaction to this than others. The common factor of both these woolen items is that they are warm, stylish and very expensive.

Log in. You get free standard shipping. Free shipping on all U. What is wool? What is cashmere? Back to State Cashmere. The softest wardrobe staples that last a lifetime. Made from only the finest Grade A cashmere.