A well-made knit in 95% organic cotton and 5% cashmere is an investment — in quality, in comfort, and in longevity. But like all natural fibre garments, it rewards a little care. The good news is that caring for these pieces is simpler than most parents expect, and the payoff is a garment that stays beautiful for years rather than seasons.
Here's everything you need to know to keep your MIKA & MILO knitwear looking and feeling its best.
Understanding the Blend
Our 95% organic cotton, 5% cashmere blend is designed to be practical as well as luxurious. The organic cotton gives the fabric structure and durability — it's a robust fibre that handles washing well. The 5% cashmere contributes softness and a subtle warmth. Together, they create a fabric that's more forgiving than pure cashmere, more resistant to pilling, and genuinely suited to the demands of children's clothing.
Why Our Blend Doesn't Pill
One of the most common frustrations with knitwear is pilling — those small balls of fibre that form on the surface with wear. Pure cashmere, while extraordinarily soft, can be prone to pilling because the fibres are so fine and delicate.
Our 95/5 blend is specifically designed to avoid this. The high organic cotton content gives the fabric structure and resilience, anchoring the cashmere fibres and preventing them from working loose with friction. The result is a knit that holds its surface beautifully through repeated wear and washing — which is exactly what you need when it's being worn by an active child.
This is one of the key reasons we chose this blend for children's clothing. It delivers the softness of cashmere without the fragility.
Washing
The single most important care decision is how you wash. For our 95/5 blend:
- Machine wash on a wool or delicate cycle at 30°C or below — the organic cotton content means these pieces are more machine-friendly than pure cashmere
- Use a gentle, pH-neutral detergent — look for ones specifically designed for wool or delicates. Avoid biological detergents, which contain enzymes that break down natural fibres over time
- Turn the garment inside out before washing to protect the outer surface
- Use a mesh laundry bag for extra protection, especially for cardigans with buttons
- Never use fabric softener — it coats the fibres and reduces their natural breathability over time
If you prefer to hand wash — which is always the gentlest option — use cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent. Submerge the garment, gently squeeze (never wring or twist), and rinse thoroughly.
Drying
How you dry a knit matters as much as how you wash it:
- Always dry flat — lay the garment on a clean towel in its natural shape. This prevents stretching and distortion
- Never tumble dry — heat and agitation will damage the cashmere fibres and shrink the garment
- Never hang to dry — the weight of wet fabric will stretch the shoulders and body of the knit out of shape
- Keep away from direct heat — radiators and direct sunlight will dry the fibres out and cause them to become brittle
- Reshape while damp — gently ease the garment back into shape before leaving it to dry
Storage
How you store knitwear between wears and between seasons makes a significant difference to its longevity:
- Always fold, never hang — hanging stretches the shoulders and body of knits over time
- Store clean — natural fibres stored with food or body odour residue are more attractive to moths
- Use cedar balls or lavender sachets for seasonal storage — these deter moths naturally without the harsh chemicals of mothballs
- Breathable storage bags or boxes are ideal for pieces you're putting away for the season — avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture
Spot Cleaning
Children and clean clothes are not natural companions. For small stains:
- Act quickly — fresh stains are always easier to remove than set ones
- Blot (don't rub) with a clean cloth to absorb as much of the stain as possible
- Apply a small amount of gentle detergent directly to the stain, work in gently with your fingertip, and rinse with cool water
- For stubborn stains, a specialist knitwear stain remover is worth having to hand
The Long View
A MIKA & MILO knit cared for properly doesn't just last one child — it lasts two or three. We regularly hear from parents who have passed pieces to younger siblings, cousins, or friends' children, with the garment still looking and feeling beautiful. That's the promise of quality natural fibres, and it's entirely achievable with a little consistent care.
