Pashmina wool is a type of mohair which is obtained from the Carpa hircus mountain goat, native to the high altitudes of the Himalayas, where normal winter temperatures never rise above -30° celcius (-20° Fahrenheit). Every spring, the goats shed their winter coat, and the fleece is gathered, spun, sometimes dyed, and woven into fabric which is very warm and surprisingly lightweight.

High quality shawls and scarves made of this fine wool have been manufactured in Kashmir and Nepal for thousands of years, but the Indians never referred to them as "pashmina". They were popularly called Kashmiri (or Cashmere) wool. Pashmina is an indigenous Nepali word which only became popular after the so-named shawls, woven in Nepal, started being popular in the west.

Pure pashmina is a somewhat gauzy, open weave, as the delicate wool cannot tolerate high tension. The most popular pashmina fabric is a 70% pashmina/30% silk blend, but 50/50 is also common. The 70/30 is tightly woven, has an elegant sheen and drapes nicely, but is still quite soft and light-weight.

Pashmina, being a completely natural fabric comprised mostly of wool, is treated at the manufacturing plant to repel moths, silverfish, and other insects. Therefore, new pashmina may have an unusual odor. This can normally be easily overcome by a thorough airing or a quick, gentle wash (see below). Never scrub or roughly rub pashmina; doing so can easily damage the fabric and tear the threads.

Pashmina Care

Pashmina shawls/scarves, although often labelled "Dry Clean Only", may be gently hand washed in cold water with a light detergent made especially for wool (eucalyptus wool wash is particularly good). Wash and rinse in cool water only; warm water may cause shrinkage.

Do not wring! This can stretch the delicate fabric or break the threads. To dry, gently roll the fabric in a towel to remove excess water, and lay flat to dry. Hanging may cause the fabric to stretch or threads to break.

To remove wrinkles, pashmina may be steam pressed or lightly ironed under a pressing cloth. Do not iron directly on the fabric. This may damage the nap.

Silk/pashmina blend tends to wrinkle more easily, and pressing too vigorously may flatten the nap; if your silk/pashmina blend requires more than light pressing, it may be wise to have it professionally dry cleaned.

Pashmina should always be professionally dry cleaned if it acquires stains or spots that cannot be easily removed by gentle washing in cold water.