How to Wash a Pashmina Shawl at Home – Gentle Care Tips & Guide

Here is how to wash a pashmina shawl:

Pashmina is a unique fabric that becomes softer with each use. For best results, Pashmina should be dry-cleaned using organic solvents after a season's use. This process not only removes soil and stains but also maintains the shape, color, and look of the garment.

Hand Wash Tips

Here are some tips on how to handwash your Pashmina:

• Wash in cold water using woolite.
• Detergent must be dissolved completely before putting pashmina in water.
• Do not twist during washing.
• Simply lay it flat to dry; do not wring it dry.
• Use very low temperatures and iron with a cover sheet.
• Hang it unbunched to loosen the wrinkles.

Storage

Storing your Pashmina correctly is key to keeping it looking fabulous. Here's what you need to do:

• Make sure your shawl is clean before you put it away. Food stains and body oils can attract moths and other pests.
• Protect your pashmina by storing it in individual cotton bags. This helps keep it dry and safe from bugs. Cedar wood balls or cloves can add extra protection from insects. Don't forget to air out your Pashmina periodically.
• Never expose your Pashmina to direct heat or extreme sunlight, as this can damage the delicate fibers.
• After each wear, give your Pashmina a gentle brush to remove dust. Always fold it neatly and stack it rather than hanging it in your closet to prevent stretching.

How often should you wash pashmina?

Less often than you think. Pashmina is naturally anti-bacterial and odour-resistant — qualities inherited from the Changthangi goat's high-altitude environment. For most wearers, washing once or twice a season is plenty. Between wears, simply air the shawl out for a few hours near an open window.

Dealing with stains

Act quickly. Blot — never rub — the stain with a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible. Then treat with a tiny drop of wool-safe detergent diluted in cold water, dabbing gently from the outside of the stain inward. Rinse with cold water and lay flat to dry.

For stubborn stains (oil, wine, perfume residue), take the shawl to a specialist wool cleaner rather than attempting aggressive treatment at home.

A note on pilling

Fine pilling on a pashmina is not a defect — it is the nature of short, delicate fibres responding to friction. It is also a sign of genuine pashmina rather than a synthetic blend. Remove pills gently with a dedicated cashmere comb. A regular razor or lint roller will damage the weave.

Explore our pashmina collection

Every shawl in the Indus Weavers pashmina collection is hand-spun and hand-woven by artisan families in Kashmir. When you care for it well, a pashmina doesn't just last years — it lasts generations.

✨ Ready to Own a Pashmina Worth Caring For?

• 🧣 KARINA – Handwoven Kani Pashmina Shawl — A lifetime investment in pure Kashmiri craftsmanship.
• 🧣 STELLA – Jamawar Pashmina Shawl — Heirloom-quality brocade weave, built to last generations.
• 🧣 REBECCA – Reversible Pashmina Shawl — Versatile luxury cashmere wrap, easy to care for.
• 🧣 Aurance – Sozni Embroidery Pashmina — Delicate needlework on pure cashmere — a piece to treasure.

✨ Shop Pure Pashmina Shawls