Cashmere Fabric FAQ: 10 Questions Answered

Cashmere is graded by fiber diameter and length:

• Grade A: 14-15.5 microns, 36-40mm length - Finest quality, ultra-soft
• Grade B: 15.5-17 microns, 32-36mm length - Good quality, soft feel
• Grade C: 17-19 microns, 28-32mm length - Standard quality, slightly coarse

Inner Mongolia cashmere is considered the finest globally (14-15 microns average).

Burn test: Real cashmere burns slowly, smells like burning hair, leaves crushable ash. Synthetic melts and smells plastic.

Touch test: Authentic cashmere feels warm, soft, and slightly waxy. Synthetic feels cool and slick.

Price check: Genuine cashmere costs $50-150/kg for raw fiber. Suspiciously low prices indicate blends or fake.

• Source: Cashmere from goat undercoat; wool from sheep
• Softness: Cashmere is 3x softer (14-19 vs 20-40 microns)
• Warmth: Cashmere is 8x warmer than wool by weight
• Weight: Cashmere is lighter and more breathable
• Price: Cashmere costs 3-5x more than wool
• Durability: High-quality wool lasts longer; cashmere requires more care

Washing:

• Hand wash in cold water (max 30°C/86°F)
• Use cashmere-specific or mild pH-neutral detergent
• Never wring or twist - gently press out water
• Lay flat to dry, reshape while damp

Storage:

• Fold (don't hang) to prevent stretching
• Store with cedar blocks to prevent moths
• Avoid plastic bags - use breathable cotton

Production is labor-intensive and limited:

• Each goat produces only 150-200g of usable fiber annually
• One sweater requires 3-4 goats' annual production
• Hand-combing during molting season (spring)
• Complex processing: dehairing, spinning, weaving
• High waste rate (up to 50% during processing)

• 100% cashmere: Maximum softness and warmth, requires careful maintenance
• 90% cashmere + 10% silk: Added sheen and drape, good for luxury garments
• 80% cashmere + 20% wool: More durable, better shape retention
• 70% cashmere + 30% nylon: Enhanced durability for socks and activewear

For fabric wholesale, 85-95% cashmere offers the best balance of quality and practicality.

Top producing regions:

• Inner Mongolia, China: 60% of global production, finest fiber (14-15 microns)
• Xinjiang, China: 20% of production, good quality (15-16 microns)
• Mongolia: Premium quality, similar to Inner Mongolia
• Afghanistan/Iran: Coarser fiber (17-19 microns), lower cost

China produces 70%+ of the world's cashmere, with Inner Mongolia being the gold standard.

Fabric weights for different applications:

• 180-220 gsm: Lightweight scarves, linings, summer wraps
• 220-280 gsm: Standard sweaters, cardigans, light jackets
• 280-350 gsm: Heavy sweaters, coats, winter wear
• 350+ gsm: Overcoats, blankets, luxury throws

Yes, all cashmere pills initially. Quality cashmere pills less over time.

To minimize pilling:

• Choose longer fiber cashmere (Grade A, 36mm+)
• Avoid friction (rough bags, seatbelts, backpacks)
• Rest garments 24-48 hours between wears
• Use cashmere comb or fabric shaver gently
• Turn inside out before washing

Typical MOQ from Chinese suppliers:

• Stock fabric: 50-100 meters per color
• Custom woven: 300-500 meters per design
• Custom dyed: 200-300 meters per color
• Sample orders: 5-20 meters (higher per-meter cost)

Lead time: 15-30 days for stock, 30-45 days for custom production.