How to Wash Silk Properly?
Table of Contents
How to Wash and Care for 100% Pure Silk Clothes
Do you know how to properly wash and care for silk products? 100% pure silk is very delicate, and it can be easily damaged by any wash, detergent-based soap or sunlight. So, to protect your 100 percent silk, you had better wash it by your hand. It is recommended to wash it with neutral-based pH-level soaps.
Steps to Clean 100% Pure Silk Clothing
- Place 100 percent silk in a bucket with warm water to prevent shrinkage.
- Add neutral or alkaline-based soap. Do not use highly acidic soap or soap containing detrimental detergents or bleach, for these soaps will damage the silk.
- Soak the 100 percent silk in soapy water for no more than 10 minutes, time cannot grow too, can damage the silk’s protein-based fibers otherwise.
- Scrub 100 percent silk gently to remove odors and stains. If you have to place the silk inside a washing machine or dryer, you should use the delicate cycle and mild soap.
- Hang 100 percent silk to dry, and avoid sun exposure because it fades the color of the wet silk. Do not use wooden drying racks, for they can stain the fabric.
How to Wash and Care for Silk Garments
You might be hesitated to buy a beautiful silk clothes which shows “Dry Clean Only”! In fact, as long as the stain is not terrible, you can successfully remove it at home instead of sending to dry cleaner.
Steps to Wash Silk Clothes
- Pour warm water in a bucket, and add 1/3 cup of gentle laundry detergent and a teaspoon of vinegar in it.
- Soak the silk item into the mixture for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the silk item with cold water to remove all residues, and then gently wring it.
- Place the silk item in a clean towel, and then roll up them to remove excess moisture.
- After that, unroll the towel, and then gently shake the item to remove wrinkles.
- Finally, hang it to dry.
Tips
- Before washing, you have to read the instructions on the silk clothes.
- If there are lots of stains on the silk and it is difficult to remove them, you should take it to a dry cleaner.
- Do not dry the silk in the dryer or let it expose to direct sunlight, as the intense heat can damage silk.
How to Wash and Care for Silks: Silk Care Instructions
Silk is amongst the most easy fabrics to take care of. Also our silk fabric is produced keeping in mind your cleaning requirements. Our silk fabric is built to last and last well. However, as a rule, it is advisable to clean silk as little as possible, because silk will lose its special sheen if it is repeatedly or wrongly cleaned. Silk should only be dry cleaned professionally. In the case of an emergency, we have, however, added here some guidelines for keeping your silk clean and special as only silk can be.
- Chemical: Petroleum ether, turpentine, spirit of wine, benzine, benzene, surgical spirit, acetone and methanol are all flammable and must only be used in small quantities.
- Washing: Wash only with very mild soaps and only in a slow and tumble mode.
- Ironing: Use regular iron boxes with usual instructions for use on silks. Iron only after drying and hang to dry indoors, never in direct sunlight. For a more detailed guide on how to iron silk, check out our previous blog.
- Stains: Most stains will require expert help from a professional fabric care specialist.
- Blends: Care for blends on the same lines as pure silks.
How To Wash and Clean Silk Pillowcases
Silk pillowcases are a wise choice for night’s rest. However, it is fragile and easily destroyed. Never wash it with a washing machine. The preferred cleaning method is spot cleaning. This method not only can remove stains but also can maintain the life of the pillowcases.
Steps of Spot Cleaning Silk Pillowcases
- Mix 2 tsp. of mild dish washing with 1 cup of warm water into a bowl.
- Soak a soft, lint-free cleaning cloth into the soapy solution, and then apply it into the stain until the stain is damp but not soaked.
- Wet a new and clean cloth with warm water, and then use it to wipe the stains. Next, wet the cloth with cold water to remove soap residue.
- Finally, use a dry and clean cloth to wipe the wet spots, and then dry the sill pillowcases on the clothesline.
How to Wash and Dry Silk Bedding
Is it possible to care for silk bedding with ease? Of course, we can. In general, if you choose our silk bedding, made of fine mulberry silk, you can care for them without the hassle.
Wash Silk Bedding
- You can wash our silk by using a machine with a delicate cycle in cold water. It is recommended not mix silk with other type of fabrics.
- For small items like a silk pillowcase or silk sleepwear, you can easily wash them by hand. After washing, you can gently squeeze the excess water out of the items and shake them a few times to get out the extra moisture & protect the fabric from wrinkling.
- Use a gentle detergent or a gentle all-natural laundry soap to wash silk items.
- Do not wring out silk too forcefully.
Dry Silk Bedding
- Hang to dry.
- Alternatively, put it in the dryer with no heat on air fluff, for heat will quickly damage your beautiful silk bedding.
- Take silk sheets out of the dryer when they are slightly damp, put them on bed, smooth out the fabric and allow them to dry naturally. Thus, you are able to get any wrinkles or creases out of the silk without ironing.
How to Wash & Dry 100% Pure Silk Sleepwear
It is really hard to clean 100% pure silk clothing, for any washing, detergent-based soap or sunlight can permanently damage it. Here, it is recommended to wash 100% silk nightwear by hand to prevent the fabric from being damaged. Even more important, you should use neutral-based pH-level soaps to wash it to avoid staining the fabric.
Steps to Clean 100% Pure Silk Clothes
- First, pour warm water into a bucket, and then place the silk in it.
- Second, add neutral or basic soap. Do not use highly acidic materials for that can damage silk.
- Third, soak the clothes in soapy water for less than 10 minutes, for long soak can damage the silk’s protein-based fibers.
- Fourth, scrub clothes to remove odors and stains. Do not place silk in a washing machine or dryer for that can damage the fabric. You should use the delicate cycle and mild soap if you have to use them to wash or dry.
- Finally, hang clothes to let it dry. Avoid direct sun for sun may fade the color of the wet silk. Do not use wooden drying racks since they can stain the fabric.
How to Wash Silk Garments
Silk, a beautiful and luxurious fabric, is a great staple for any wardrobe, but can be daunting when it comes to caring for it. Now, you can take the following steps to wash your silk.
Steps to Wash Silk Germents
- If the silk garment supports handing wash, you should shake off any visible dirt of crumbs to prepare the garment for washing. If necessary, lightly spray small amounts of pre-treatment of detergents. Gently rub the stained area to circular motion, from the outside to the inside work by using a soft cloth.
- Soak the clothes in a detergent for a few minutes to let the stain remover set into the fabric. By the way, you should prepare a small tub or basin with warm water and a gentle soap. After that, soak the garment into the warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Soaking time depends on the degree of staining.
- After soaking, rinse it in warm water to remove the soap. Repeat this process until all the soap is removed. Put the garment flat between two layers of thick towels to dry it. Never wring it.
Note
If the label says dry clean only, you need to take it to dry cleaners. If you wash it by your hand, the silk can shrink or fade.
How to Wash Silk in the Washing Machine
Can you wash silk in the wash mashine? If the method of washing silk is not correct, it will damage the silk. In general, hand washing is a good choice for silk nightwear. However, if there are a lot of silk such as silk sheets, hand washing is a time-consuming process. In this situation, you can try washing them in a machine. When machine washing silk, you have to follow the label instructions for the garment.
Steps for Machine Washing Silk
- Sort silks according to their colors. Put the color close together. Separate silk from other laundry.
- If you have a top-loading washing machine, you can place the fabric in an exquisite/underwear pocket to protect the delicate fabric. The bag is not required but can still be used if you have a front-loading machine.
- Set the machine to a fine cycle and a minimum rotation period to prevent your silk from being ripped apart. Use the cool water setting.
- Use a mild cleanser to prevent fabric fall. Any too strong soap may damage silk.
- Dry silk. Avoid sunlight or heat. You can also try drying it in the dryer with on air fluff setting or a no-heat setting. Any additional heat may shrink or break silk.
Warnings
Do not use bleach on silk.
How to Wash Silk Pajamas
Although silk pajamas are expensive, more and more people like them, for they can make you feel cool in summer and warm in winter. However, silk pjs need special care when cleaned. In general, you don’t need to take silk pajama set to dry cleaner. You can wash them at home as long as you follow the steps below.
Steps to Wash Silk Pajamas
- Test for color fastness by treating hidden part of clothing.
- Soak the fabric in warm water with a mild soap, no more than 5 minutes.
- Carefully rub stains under the soap-water. Do not rub too hard as this can damage the silk pjs irreparably.
- Mix water with 1/4 cup vinegar, and then use this mixture to rinse to remove the soap and help restore shine.
- Rinse the silk pjs with cold water.
- Spread the silk pajamas out on a towel and roll it up to remove excess water.
- Leave the silk pajamas on the towel.
- Let it air-dry.
- Iron the silk pjs with low heat on the inside that is not seen.
- Put the silk pajamas on a padded hanger to cool, or lay scarves, etc. flat on a table or bed.
Warnings
- Make sure the water is not too cold or too hot, for this will stretch or shrink the silk pajamas.
- Do not iron the outside of the material.
How to Wash Silk Pillowcases
Although silk pillowcases are more expensive than cotton and satin pillowcase, many users like buying silk pillowcases because they are better for skin as well as hair and they are hypoallergenic.
Steps to Wash Silk Pillowcases
- Wash silk pillowcase with clean warm water without alkaline soap by hand.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Add pure white vinegar to rinse water to neutralize traces of alkali and dissolve soap residue.
- Roll mulberry silk pillowcases fabric in a towel, and then gently squeeze to remove excess water.
- Lay it flat to dry.
- Occasionally shake silk pillowcases while it’s drying to prevent stiffness.
Tips
- It is recommended to hand wash because mulberry silk pillowcases are very delicate.
- Don’t soak silk pillowcases for more than 3-5 minutes.
- Don’t wash it in very cold or hot water.
- Never use any harsh detergents that contain bleaches or brighteners.
- When you do the washing, make sure you separate the darks from the lights.
- Don’t wring it.
- Don’t use a wooden drying rack. Otherwise, the dyes & finishes can leave stains.
How to Wash Silk Skirts
Really difficult to wash silk skirt because it is so fragile. And, there are different ways to deal with different colors. Some useful tips are shown below.
Tips for Washing Silk Skirts
- Before washing your silk, you have to carefully read its care instructions. If it says “Dry clean only”, you should send it to a dry cleaner.
- For washable silk, you can wash it with cold water and gentle detergent, and separate it from the family laundry.
- If you want to remove stains from silk skirt, you had better send it to dry cleaner for adding water to stains on silk can make stains more difficult to remove
- Do not twist or wring it.
- Do not use any bleach a silk skirt.
- Do not dry the silk skirt in the sun because the sun can fade the dye or cause the white silk to turn yellow.
How To Clean/ Hand Wash Silk Scarves
To clean silk scarves, hand washing the highly recommended. The best way to wash silk is to use cold water and natural soap such as baby soap.
Steps to clean silk scarves
- First, test a mild, non-alkaline liquid soap or baby shampoo on a small, inconspicuous section of the scarf to ensure that the substance won’t affect the scarf’s colors.
- If the soap passed the test, soak the scarf in lukewarm water mixed with a few drops of the soap for no longer than five to seven minutes. You can rub the scarf gently at this time.
- Rinse the scarf in cool, clean water.
- Next, add distilled white vinegar to the rinse water. This will neutralize alkali traces, dissolve soap residue and ultimately keep the silk shiny.
- Once the soap and vinegar is completely rinsed away, squeeze the fabric softly to remove excess water. Do not ring to the silk, as this can damage the fibers.
- Lay the scarf flat between two towels to dry.
- Iron the silk on a low setting while scarf is still slightly damp to smooth and add shine.
How to Hand Wash a Silk Robe
Wearing silk robe is very comfortable. However, do you know how to clean silk robe without damaging it. Some silk garments may only allow dry cleaning. However, some manufacturers offer cheaper hand sanitizers to clean them. In general, you can easily and quickly wash your silk robe without damaging it.
Steps to Clean Silk Robe
- Remove all items from the robe pockets.
- Pour warm water into a sink, and add 1 tablespoon baby shampoo. Mix them to create soap suds.
- Rinse silk robe in the soapy water for two minutes.
- Remove the robe from the sink. Replace the soapy water in the sink with warm water.
- Rinse the robe to remove soap suds.
- Place the robe in the middle of 2 white towels on a hard surface. Gently pat the top towel to absorb the excess water from the robe for 30 minutes. Do not smash the top of the robe.
- Finally, place the damp silk gown on a hard surface and remove wrinkles.
How to Hand Wash Silk Kimono
Kimono, like beautiful robe, is Japanese traditional garment. Men and women always wear Kimono on formal occasions such as funeral, wedding. Although each garment has different options like colors, fabrics and features, the Kimono made of silk is the best one. However, washing silk kimono requires special care.
To remove some serious stains without gentle detergent, you can send it to a dry cleaner whose cleaners have experience with fine silk. And, discuss any special needs for the item.
Steps to Wash Silk Kimono
- Wash the Kimono in a bucket of cold or lukewarm water. Do not wash the Kimono in a washing machine. If you must use hard water, please add a spoonful of borax powder to make it gentler.
- Use gentle soap to wash a kimono. Carefully wash the Kimono in the soapy water by your hand, and pay attention to any stains, embellishments, or damaged sections of the fabric. Never roughly scrub it.
- Rinse the Kimono to remove all soap and suds.
- Let the silk Kimono air dry. Place it on a hanger and keep it out of the direct sunlight. Do not wring it. Do not place it in clothes dryer.
Raw Silk Wash Instructions
Cleaning raw silk which is a beautiful fabric with a unique luster can be challenging because it often shrinks. Besides, the residue from soap or other cleansers can dull the sheen of the fabric. However, compared with dry cleaning, you had better wash it by your hand. Here, you can successfully clean your silk without sacrificing the natural luster of the material as long as you own a few basic household ingredients.
Steps to clean raw silk
- Fill a basin with lukewarm water and several drops of mild liquid soap, and then soak the silk in it.
- Rinse the silk with cool water until all the soap is disappeared.
- Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to cool it, and then clear water in the basin. Next, rinse the silk in the vinegar-water mixture.
- Rinse the silk again with clear water.
- Finally, lay flat to dry.
Warnings
- Do not wash silk in the washing machine, for that can damage the luster of the silk.
- Never put raw silk in the dryer. Otherwise, the material could shrink.