Understanding the Eight Differences between Cashmere and Wool

Autumn and winter are the main battlefields of wool and cashmere. I have sorted out the differences between the two, so there is no need to worry about confusion anymore.

1、 Different sources

Cashmere: a thin layer of cashmere that comes from the bottom of the goat's skin. Goats will grow fine wool to keep warm in cold climates based on changes in temperature. The best cashmere in the world comes from Inner Mongolia, China, and 70% of the world's cashmere is produced in Inner Mongolia, which is also of better quality than other countries.

Tip: Cashmere is a precious and scarce resource, and each goat can only harvest more than ten grams of cashmere.

Wool: Sheep don't produce wool! Derived from sheep, even if the sheep's wool is very fine, it is called wool in the industry. Anything that says cashmere, lamb wool, or Merino wool is fake. The best wool in the world comes from Australia, and Merino wool is recognized as the best wool in the world wool industry.

2、 Different thermal insulation properties: cashmere>wool

Under the same coverage area, finer cashmere has a larger surface area and can retain more static air between cashmere, thus providing better warmth retention. Cashmere provides 8 times more warmth than wool, and is lighter than wool, accounting for only one-fifth of its weight. It is the best choice for winter clothing fabrics, but it is also relatively expensive.

3、 Different moisture absorption: cashmere>wool

Cashmere has stronger moisture absorption than wool, which is reflected in its quality. After dyeing, cashmere does not fade and has a full color. The water absorption of cashmere is also the best among fibers, and the upper body is breathable, comfortable, and lightweight. If a cashmere sweater is soaked in water for a few seconds, it will all wet into a ball, while a woolen sweater takes more than half a minute to get wet.

4、 Different ball resistance: wool>cashmere

Wool is more durable, and even after prolonged use and washing, it will not quickly lose its shape and elasticity. Cashmere sweaters are more prone to deformation and pilling than woolen sweaters, and if not taken seriously in daily maintenance, they can become very durable.

5、 Different skin affinity: cashmere>wool

The scale layer of cashmere is round, and its original structure determines that its surface will be smoother and more delicate, making it comfortable to wear close to the skin. So those who feel a bit prickly can pass directly, definitely not pure cashmere. The side of wool has layers of serrated protrusions, and the scales are pointed. The original structure determines that its surface is rougher. It is recommended to add a base when wearing.

6、 Different yields: wool>cashmere

Each sheep can produce several kilograms of wool per year. Each goat can only harvest dozens of grams of cashmere per year. In 2017, the global wool production was around 1.1 million tons, while cashmere was approximately 20000 tons. It can be said that cashmere has become a luxury item.

7、 Price difference: cashmere>wool

A cashmere sweater requires about 5 goats, and a sheep's wool can produce about 5 woolen sweaters. From this, it can be seen that the price of cashmere is much higher than that of wool. Wool raw materials are generally around 60000 yuan/ton, and cashmere raw materials are generally around 800000 yuan/ton.

8、 Different anti shrinkage properties: cashmere>wool

Cashmere sweaters do not shrink after washing, while woolen sweaters may experience some degree of shrinkage.