Moths like to nibble on wool under normal conditions, but if there's a spill of anything on your cashmere garment it becomes an especially appetizing morsel for our little pests. So send it out to the cleaners or hand-wash immediately. There really is no such thing as spot removal. The stain is still there underneath in the fibers.

    Even if there's no apparent spotting, it's safest to clean or wash cashmere after each season. Hand washing keeps it fresh, soft, clean and looking like new. In all cases however, cashmere or any other fabric, the manufacturers cleaning instructions (usually sown somewhere on the article of clothing) supersedes all others. To hand wash at home, fill the sink or tub with two gallons of lukewarm water. Swish the soap (either Lanowash, Lanorinse, Woolite, a mild shampoo or Ivory flakes) and place the garment in the water. Soak for five minutes. Squeeze the suds through the fibers, careful to avoid wringing or rubbing. Squeeze out the excess water and remove from the sink.

    Then refill the sink with clean, lukewarm water. Remember that the rinse water temperature should be as close to the wash water as possible to avoid shocking the garment. And don't run the tap water on the cashmere. Gently soak the item and squeeze to release the suds. Repeat as many times as necessary until there are no more suds. Then roll the garment in a towel to absorb the excess moisture. Lay flat on a dry towel to maximize airflow and keep away from heat and sunlight. Shape it to your size. But NEVER stretch.

    As I say, never put fine cashmere items away for the season without a cleaning or washing. There are always tiny food specs and dust invisible to the eye. It's only common sense to take proper care of expensive apparel. You take your car in for the necessary service at regular intervals, don't you? You want it to perform for you at all times, right? Same with luxury garments.

    For happy cashmere campers, store after cleaning in tightly-sealed plastic bags, preferably in a cedar closet or a regular closet with cedar chips, lavender and maybe a couple of moth balls for added punch. But take it easy on the moth balls, you don't want to scatter your neighbors when you step out the door on the first cool morning next season. And remember, nothing pleases like cashmere. The next time you're looking for a special little gift, think cashmere. A cashmere scarf, hat, gloves, blanket or a pair of socks are great house warmers and will cozy you up to the recipient like nothing else without breaking your bank account. Nobody forgets from whom they came.

    And if you ever feel guilty about indulging yourself in cashmere, remember what Bertrand Russell wrote in "The Conquest of Happiness" --- "To be able to feel leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization."