Fabric Care Guide | Angora, Cashmere, Wool, Silk & Tencel
Natural fibers reward care with years of beauty. Here's how to keep every Silverlyne piece soft, structured, and looking its best — fabric by fabric.
Download our complete Fabric Care Guide (updated for 2026)
— a printable reference you can keep in your laundry room.☝️ The Silverlyne rule of thumb
Before you get into specifics, three principles cover 90% of natural fiber care:
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Wash less. Natural fibers — especially angora, wool, and cashmere — are self-cleaning in a way synthetics aren't. Air them out between wears and you'll rarely need a full wash.
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Cool water, gentle detergent. Hot water breaks down the hollow fiber structure that makes these fabrics warm, breathable, and soft. A wool-safe or silk-safe detergent (free of bleach and enzymes) protects the fiber.
- Never the dryer. Heat felts wool and angora, shrinks cashmere, and dulls silk and Tencel. Lay flat to dry, always.
🪢 By fabric
Angora & Angora Blends
Hand wash or machine wash cold on the wool cycle with a wool-specific detergent. Never wring — press water out gently with a towel. Dry flat on a clean surface, reshaping while damp. Store folded, not hung, to protect the fiber's loft. Tip: a light shake after wearing restores the halo of the fiber.
Cashmere & Cashmere-Silk
Hand wash cold with a cashmere or silk detergent. Soak 10 minutes, rinse gently, and press (don't wring) in a towel. Dry flat, away from direct sunlight. Lightly steam to refresh between wears — no iron. Pilling is natural for pure cashmere; a cashmere comb removes it and actually improves softness over time.
Wool & Wool Blends
Machine wash cold on the wool or hand-wash cycle. Use a wool detergent, never fabric softener (it coats the fiber and reduces warmth). Dry flat. If you notice slight shrinkage, gently stretch back to shape while damp.
Silk & Silk Blends
Hand wash cold with a silk detergent, or dry clean for structured pieces. Rinse until water runs clear. Roll in a towel to remove moisture — never twist. Dry flat in the shade; sunlight yellows silk over time. Iron inside out on low, or steam.
Tencel (Lyocell)
Our most low-maintenance fiber. Machine wash cold on gentle with mild detergent. Tencel resists wrinkles, but if needed, iron on low while slightly damp. Lay flat or hang to dry — avoid the dryer to preserve the drape and softness that make Tencel feel the way it does.
💨 Airing, not washing
The hollow fibers in angora and wool naturally wick moisture and odor to the surface, where they evaporate. Most of the time, hanging a piece in fresh air for a few hours is all it needs. Less washing = longer life for every piece you own.
📦 Storing Silverlyne pieces
Fold knits — never hang them; gravity stretches the shoulders. Store in a cool, dry drawer with cedar or lavender sachets to deter moths (both work better than mothballs, and they smell like a life well lived). For long-term storage, use breathable cotton bags, not plastic.
🫣 When something goes wrong
Shrunk a sweater? Soak in cool water with a capful of hair conditioner for 15 minutes, gently stretch back to shape on a flat towel, and dry flat. Works on most wool and cashmere.
Snag on a knit? Don't cut it. Use a needle to pull the loop through to the inside of the garment.
Still unsure? Email us at hello@getsilverlyne.com — we answer every care question personally.
👉 Download the complete guide
A printable reference covering every fiber we work with, plus stain removal, travel care, and long-term storage tips.