Views: 144 Author: Taihu Snow Silk Publish Time: 2022-05-24 Origin: www.taihusnow.com
As one of the most beautiful and luxurious fabrics available, silk has been a key element in our closets. Despite its alluring appearance, cleaning silk can be quite difficult due to its delicate threads, which needs washing with care. However, your silk items can be kept soft and smooth as long as you follow the appropriate method. Discover tips for washing silk here.
While reading the fabric care label from your silk items to check washing instructions before you wash them, you should keep the following rules in mind.
Never wash silk with chlorine bleach. It will damage natural fibers.
Keep silk away from alcohol-based products such as perfume and hairspray.
Avoid heat and sunlight. This can stain silk and keep it faded or yellow for over time.
Tumble dry on a cool setting if using drying machine. Avoid drying for extended period of time.
Use a pH neutral, non-enzymatic, non-biological detergent, or detergent specially designed for delicate materials will ensure silk items gentle during washing.
Iron when slightly damp using a cool setting. Always iron on the inside.
Test your silk items color-fastness before washing. Dab inconspicuous areas on the silk with a damp white cloth. If the color bleeds, take it to a professional cleaner instead of hand or machine washing.
How to Hand Wash Silk
The safest way to wash your silk items at home is to hand wash. Follow the instructions.
If spot treat any stains on the silk. Blot the stained silk with cool water or diluted vinegar.
Fill a basin with lukewarm to cool water, and recommended dose of a mild detergent. Soak silk items for no longer than 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, empty the basin and refill cool water mixed with¼ cup of white vinegar, then rinse. The vinegar will help remove any excess soap and alkalinity.
Next, add add a few drops of fabric conditioner, to leave silk super soft.
Drain the water from basin, rinse silk in fresh cool water.
Use a towel to absorb the excess water from your silk garment, but do not rub or agitate it.
Either lay the silk out on a fresh towel to dry flat, or place silk on a hanger rack. Take care to avoid sunlight.
How to Machine Wash Silk
If your silk items care label does not specify “dry clean only” or “hand wash only”, machine wash can be allowed. Here are recommended tips.
l Place silk items inside a mesh laundry bag, to avoid the shearing and tearing of silk fibers caused by the drum.
l Choose a cold and delicate cycle on the washing machine with a maximum water temperature of 30°C.
l Select a recommended doze of pH neutral detergent. Follow the instructions on the label.
l Tumble dry on a cool setting if using drying machine. Avoid drying for extended period of time.
l Either lay the silk out on a fresh towel to dry flat, or place silk on a hanger rack. Take care to avoid sunlight.
How to Store Silk
For everyday storage, hang silk items in your wardrobe on fuzzy hangers to prevent silky items from slipping. Use a wide bar to hang pants across the legs or a clip hanger on the bottom hem. For longer-term storage, remember that moths love to feast on natural fibers like silk and wool, so always clean clothes before putting them away for the season.
