If you have silk clothing, bedding, or other items at home, you might operate under the assumption that they have to be sent to the professionals every time they need to be cleaned. But did you know that with a little bit of know-how and a few simple tools, you can actually take care of these items at home? Here’s how.
1. Is it Colorfast?
Before doing anything else, test the item for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area. Dab it with a damp cloth or cotton swab, and if the color bleeds, it’s not colorfast and should be taken to the dry cleaners. Also, colors that are especially bright, very dark, or patterned are usually best left to the pros, as they’ll usually fade more easily.
2. Use a Mild Soap – Not Laundry Detergent
Silk fabric is a protein that’s similar to hair. You wouldn’t wash your hair with laundry detergent, now would you? Instead, use a mild shampoo or a gentle laundry soap like Woolite to wash your silks.
3. Go Easy on the Wash
Yes, you can probably put your silk shirt in the gentle cycle of your machine. However, it’s best to wash your silk items one at a time, by hand. Fill your sink with cold or cool water and add your gentle soap. Put the item in the water and swish it around a bit, then let it soak for just a few minutes. It doesn’t take very long for silk to release any dirt. Then drain the soapy water and rinse your garment well. DO NOT WRING.
4. Easy Does it on the Dry
Never wring out silk to remove the water. Also, never put it in the dryer. To eliminate extra water, place the silk item on top of a clean cotton towel. Then fold the towel over and gently pat or blot the moisture away. Then, grab a padded hanger and hang the item to air dry. If you can hang it over a sink or bathtub to drip, even better. Even air drying, it shouldn’t take more than about an hour, depending on the item. Don’t let silk dry in an area where it will get sun, as this encourages fading.
Article Links:
Colorfast:
https://www.marthastewart.com/1517433/how-wash-and-care-silk
Woolite:
Easy on the Wash:
https://tide.com/en-us/how-to-wash-clothes/washing-different-fabrics/how-to-wash-and-care-for-silk-clothes
Easy Does it on the Dry:
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-wash-silk/
Leave a Reply