Silk is an investment. In purchasing this fabric, you must get it with long-term use in mind. Choosing timeless designs and avoiding passing trends will help keep your investment pieces current across seasons. Whether it’s silk bedding, silk accessories, silk eye masks, silk pillows, silk bedding set, or silk pyjamas – we can help you with how to care for silk as soon as you purchase one.
Common Ways of Cleaning Silk Fabrics
Since silk is a delicate fabric, you might be hesitant to hand-wash silk apparel. Keep these fundamental tips in mind so that you can treat your costly products with the respect they deserve.
Always read the label’s care recommendations before handling silk. It will explain how to clean and take care of a specific item of clothing.
- On materials made of silk, never use chlorine bleach. The organic materials in your clothing will be harmed.
- Avoid placing silk in the direct sun. Long periods of exposure to the sun’s rays can fade the fabric’s colour or possibly harm it.
- Don’t ever tumble dry. The dryer’s high temperature will cause your fabric to shrink or become damaged.
- Apply a gentle detergent. Some products are made especially for silk.
- Verify the colourfastness. Some clothing may bleed while being washed. Use a damp, white cloth to dab on a tiny area to test it. Also, check for any colour leaking.
How Should Silk Clothing Be Hand-Washed?
The procedures are simple to follow, and this method is likely the safest for washing silk clothing.
- Put your silk in a container of cool water.
- Use your hand to incorporate a few drops of gentle detergent into the mixture. Give the item at least three minutes to soak.
- To get rid of dirt, dip the garment up and down with your hands.
- Rinse the silk several times in cold water to completely remove the soap.
- Make use of a towel to absorb the moisture. Never agitate or rub your silk.
- Keep it out of direct sunshine and hang it up on a drying rack.
How Do You Machine-Wash Silk?
Yes, you can machine-wash silk. However, if you want to prevent tangling and damage, you must get a mesh bag.
- Check the label every time. In the machine, certain goods sustain damage or lose colour.
- Sort your clothes. Never wash silk alongside bulky items, such as jeans.
- To prevent abrasion on your silks, use mesh bags.
- Include a detergent made especially for cleaning silk clothing. Check the bottle’s dosage directions.
- Select the gentle wash setting on your machine. Additionally, if at all feasible, select the shortest spin cycle and adhere to the labelled recommended temperature.
- Make use of a towel to absorb extra moisture.
- Depending on the item, dry it by hanging it up or laying it flat. Avoid direct sunlight once more.
Can Silk Be Dry Cleaned?
If the item can be dry washed, it should say so on the fabric care label. If the item is marked “dry clean only” on the label, it is recommended to take it to a specialist.
Cleaning and Maintaining Silk
Washing and drying are only two aspects of silk care. To remove creases and wrinkles from silk, you must understand how to iron it properly. Here are some pointers:
- Flip the item inside out. Use the silk setting or low heat.
- When dry, iron silk. Silk should never be sprayed or damp-ironed.
- Between the object and the iron, place a cloth.
Silk should be simple to store. Simply store them in a dry, cool environment. Put the item in a permeable plastic bag if you intend to store it for an extended period of time. Keep it out of the sun and use a moth repellent.
Summary on How to Care for Silk
- Defending silk against damage
Many things can harm silk apparel. This includes improper cleaning techniques, especially when attempting to eliminate challenging stains. Bleach should never be applied to silk fabric due to its sensitivity to powerful chemicals. Detergents that employ oxygen-based bleach or colour-safe bleach in place of regular chlorine bleach should also be avoided.
- Drying Advice
Spin-drying silk can break or stretch its fabric’s fibres out of shape even on low or no heat settings. The best way to dry it is by laying out a silk garment flat on a cotton towel with another cotton towel on top to hasten the natural drying process. With minor pressure between the layers, carefully coiling silk clothes into a spiral shape helps absorb moisture from it.
- Alternatives for Dull Fabric
If you notice that your silk clothing has lost its lustre or shimmer and looks dull or has a white film on it, the silk fibres may have been harmed either by poor washing procedures or prolonged exposure to sunlight and heat. Fortunately, the natural sheen of the cloth can be restored. Simply use a solution of 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar for each gallon of water used. Like what you normally do when hand-washing, soak the item in water without rubbing or stretching it. Make sure to properly rinse the item before drying it flat.
- Pressing versus steaming
Steaming is the safest way to remove wrinkles from silk clothes, despite the belief that iron pressing is. But in some cases that you consider ironing, you can use a specialised pressing cloth to create a barrier between your clothing and the iron’s plate. Before doing so, make sure to flip the garment inside out to avoid any visible damage.
- Exposure Concerns
Keep silk garments away from areas that let a lot of light in or those with heat sources, as this can harm its texture and colour. If you must hang your clothing in the car, use opaque garment bags, and make an effort to take off the silk clothing as soon as you can to reduce the amount of time it spends inside the car on a hot day.
Start caring for your purchased silk at Silk Only!
It is worthwhile to take some care of silk because it is a lovely, opulent fabric. Take these helpful tips on how to care for silk, as Silk Only offers the best silk bedding or silk bed sheets in Australia that’s well-managed from the day you’ll buy it. As much as we take care of the fabric, we also want you to do the same.
Think about how you wear, store, and clean your silk, and remember that by buying less, buying better, and making our clothes last longer, we’re all doing our part to cut down on waste. Even if it can seem like a straightforward idea, remember that every action taken in the direction of sustainability is a step on the correct path.