Mohair is one of nature's most luxurious fibres. It is soft, warm, and extremely resilient. But like all natural fibres, it loves a little care and attention. Follow this guide to keep your mohair pieces looking beautiful for years to come.
What is mohair?
Mohair comes from the Angora goat and is known for its silky lustre, warmth, and durability. At Twelve Yarns, our mohair is ethically sourced from South African farms, where the country's temperate climate produces some of the world's finest fleece. It's a fibre admired by the luxury fashion industry and deserves the care it needs.
Washing your mohair
The golden rule with mohair is to air, and wash only if necessary. If you need to wash it, it needs gentle, cold water. Heat and agitation are the enemies of any animal fibre because they cause felting and shrinkage that can't be reversed.
- Hand wash in cool water (below 30°C) with a small amount of mild wool wash or baby shampoo.
- Gently press the garment through the water. Never rub, wring, or twist.
- Rinse in water of the same temperature to avoid shocking the fibres.
- If you must machine wash, use the delicate/wool cycle on cold with a mesh laundry bag.
Drying mohair
Never hang a wet mohair garment. It will stretch out of shape under its own weight. Instead:
- Gently squeeze out excess water (don't wring).
- Lay the piece flat on a clean dry towel and roll the towel up to absorb more moisture.
- Reshape the garment and lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Storing mohair
Store mohair folded, never on a hanger because hanging distorts the shape over time. A breathable cotton bag or pillowcase is ideal. Add a cedar ball or lavender sachet to deter moths naturally.
Pilling
Some light pilling or shedding is normal with any natural-fibre knits, especially in areas of friction. Use a fabric comb or a soft-bristled garment brush to gently remove pills. Avoid electric shavers, which can damage the halo of the fibre.
The mohair halo
The characteristic fluffy halo of mohair can be revived with a light steam. Hold a steamer or iron (on steam setting) a few centimetres above the surface and gently brush with a soft clothing brush. This is particularly useful for our Mohair Blanket Jackets, which benefit from a refresh between wears.
How often should you wash mohair?
Much less than you think. Wool and mohair are naturally odour-resistant and self-cleaning to a degree. Air your pieces between wears by laying them flat or hanging briefly. Spot-clean small marks as needed. A full wash two or three times per season is usually more than enough.
Slow care for slow fashion
At Twelve Yarns, we make pieces designed to last. A mohair coat or jersey that is well cared for doesn't just survive the years, it gets better with time, softening and mellowing with every wear. That's the beauty of investing in natural fibre.
Have questions about caring for a specific piece? Get in touch, we're always happy to help.