About Cashmere

The softest natural fiber in the world, upcycled into one-of-a-kind diaper covers. Handmade in Asheville, NC. 

What Is Cashmere?

Cashmere is a natural fiber harvested from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. While the goat's outer coat is coarse and weather-resistant, the fine undercoat beneath it is extraordinarily soft, lightweight, and insulating. It takes an entire year for a single cashmere goat to produce enough undercoat for one sweater, which is why cashmere has always been considered a luxury fiber.

What makes cashmere special is its fineness. Cashmere fibers are significantly thinner than standard wool fibers, which gives the fabric its signature softness. Despite being lightweight, cashmere is remarkably warm, highly breathable, and naturally elastic. It moves and stretches with the body rather than binding or restricting.

These same qualities that make cashmere prized in luxury clothing make it an exceptional material for a diaper cover that sits against your baby's most sensitive skin.

Why Cashmere for Diaper Covers?

Cashmere shares all of the natural properties that make wool an outstanding diaper cover material, with one important addition: it is the softest natural fiber you can put against your baby's skin.

Incredibly soft. Cashmere fibers are finer than merino wool, which means the fabric feels smoother and gentler against skin. For babies with sensitivity, eczema, or reactive skin, cashmere offers the benefits of a wool cover with an even softer touch.

Breathable. Like all wool fibers, cashmere allows air to circulate freely. It does not trap heat or moisture the way synthetic PUL covers do, helping to keep your baby's skin cool, dry, and rash-free.

Water-resistant. Cashmere contains natural lanolin that repels moisture when maintained through periodic lanolizing. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in liquid before feeling damp, giving you reliable leak protection without a plastic barrier.

Naturally antimicrobial. Cashmere resists the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Combined with lanolin's ability to neutralize ammonia, cashmere covers stay fresh between washes without developing odor.

Temperature regulating. Cashmere keeps your baby warmer in cool weather and cooler in warm weather. Its fine fibers trap tiny pockets of air that insulate naturally without causing overheating. Many parents find cashmere covers comfortable year-round.

Reusable between washes. Like merino wool, cashmere covers do not need to be washed after every diaper change. Air them out between uses and hand wash every one to two weeks. This means you need fewer covers in rotation and spend less time on laundry.

Upcycled: Luxury Rescued from the Waste Stream

Here is what makes our cashmere covers truly different. We do not manufacture new cashmere fabric. We upcycle it.

Every Babee Greens cashmere diaper cover begins its life as a high-quality cashmere sweater. We hand-select each sweater for softness, fiber quality, and structural integrity. The sweater is then carefully deconstructed, and the cashmere is repurposed into a diaper cover in our Asheville, North Carolina workshop.

This matters for a few reasons.

Cashmere production has a significant environmental footprint. Cashmere goats graze intensively, and growing global demand for cheap cashmere has contributed to overgrazing and land degradation in Mongolia and Central Asia, where most of the world's cashmere is produced. By upcycling existing cashmere rather than creating demand for new fiber, we sidestep that impact entirely.

It also means that each cover is genuinely one of a kind. No two sweaters are identical, so no two cashmere covers are identical. You will receive a unique combination of color, tone, and knit texture that cannot be replicated. For parents who appreciate both function and individuality, this is part of the appeal.

And it means that a beautiful, premium material that might otherwise end up in a landfill gets a second life as something useful, lasting, and worn close to the skin of someone who deserves the very best.

How Our Cashmere Covers Are Made

Each cashmere cover is handmade in our Asheville workshop using carefully chosen materials.

Outer layer: 100% upcycled cashmere, hand-selected for softness and quality.

Inner lining: Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified merino wool. This is the layer that contacts your baby's skin at the waist and legs, ensuring the softest, safest touch even where the cover meets bare skin.

Snap reinforcement: 100% cotton interfacing in the wings and front panel provides structure and holds the resin snaps securely in place through repeated use.

Elastic: Latex-free elastic sewn to the interior of the leg openings and waist to avoid allergic reactions. The elastic is never exposed against your baby's skin.

Snaps: CPSIA-compliant resin snaps in three rows, providing an adjustable fit that accommodates your growing baby across multiple sizes.

No synthetic fibers. No chemical dyes. No harsh treatments. Every material that touches your baby has been chosen with intention.

Cashmere vs. Merino Wool Covers

Both cashmere and merino wool make excellent diaper covers, and many Babee Greens families use both. Here is how they compare.

[Design note: Same styled table format as other material pages.]

Many families use merino wool as their everyday workhorse cover and cashmere for special occasions, sensitive skin days, or simply because they love the way it feels. There is no wrong choice.

Caring for Cashmere Covers

Cashmere is cared for the same way as merino wool. The routine is simple and infrequent.

Between uses: Air out the cover after each diaper change. If it does not smell once it has fully dried, it is ready to use again. Most parents rotate two to three cashmere covers and wash every one to two weeks.

Washing: Hand wash in lukewarm water with a gentle wool wash. Never use hot water, which causes cashmere to shrink and felt. Gently press out excess water without wringing or twisting. Lay flat to air dry. Never put cashmere in the dryer.

Lanolizing: Cashmere requires periodic lanolizing to maintain its water resistance, just like merino wool. Soak the cover in a lanolin-infused lukewarm bath for at least 20 minutes, press out excess water, and lay flat to dry. This takes about five minutes of active work and only needs to happen every few weeks, or whenever the cover starts absorbing through rather than repelling. Our lanolizing guide and pure lanolin make the process easy.

For complete care instructions, visit our how to wash diaper covers guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cashmere too delicate for a diaper cover?

No. Cashmere is a finer fiber than standard wool, but it is still a durable natural material when cared for properly. Our covers are lined with merino wool and reinforced with cotton interfacing at the snap points, which adds structural support where it matters most. Many families use their cashmere covers daily and find they hold up well through months of regular use.

Why are cashmere covers more expensive than merino wool covers?

Cashmere is a rarer, more labor-intensive fiber to produce. Our cashmere covers also require additional sourcing effort because we hand-select each sweater for quality and softness. The upcycling process, merino lining, and handmade construction all contribute to the price. That said, because cashmere covers are reused between washes and only need to be lanolized every few weeks, the cost per use over time is quite reasonable.

Will I get to choose the exact color and pattern?

Because every cover is upcycled from a unique cashmere sweater, the exact color and knit texture will vary. You select a general color category (solid colors or patterns) when ordering, and we match as closely as possible. Part of the charm is that your baby's cover is truly one of a kind. No one else will have exactly the same one.

Can cashmere covers be used overnight?

Yes. Cashmere has the same lanolin-based water resistance and high moisture absorption as merino wool, making it a reliable overnight option. Pair a cashmere cover with a hemp blend fitted diaper and a hemp doubler for the best overnight absorbency.

How is caring for cashmere different from caring for merino wool?

It is essentially the same routine: hand wash in lukewarm water, lay flat to dry, and lanolize every few weeks. The only additional note is that cashmere is slightly more sensitive to heat and agitation than merino, so be especially gentle during washing and always use lukewarm (never hot) water. Our care guide covers both materials in detail.