The colors were brilliant, even after washings, until the Beavers tried a new Tide detergent.

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Some cashmere brands, including high-end European ones, soften up their sweaters with repeated washings.

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"Similar technologies are limited by cost of materials, use of noxious chemicals in the application or loss of effectiveness after a few washings, " said Gennaro Gama from the University of Georgia Research Foundation (UGARF).

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