Cleaning Silk
Read the tag to see if it should be dry cleaned, machine washed or hand washed. For dry cleaning, don’t use a cleaner that uses Perchloroethylene. Co2 or Silicone based solvents are more effective and safer. For machine washing, use delicate cycle, short spin cycles and mild detergent such as Woolite. Separate colors before washing and use mesh garment bags. Dryers can shirt or damage the fabric, use heatless air fluff setting.
To hand wash, use lukewarm water and a small amount of non-alkaline soap such as Ivory or baby shampoo. Rinse the soap out thoroughly. To revive colors and protect fabric, rinse with ¼ cup of white vinegar per gallon of water. You can also use a cap full of hydrogen peroxide or a few drops of ammonia. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water. To dry, roll in a a thick towel, do not ring. Hang to drip dry, out of sunlight.
To remove wrinkles, you can hang or iron. Hang over night, or in a bathroom during a shower. If you wish to iron, use cool or silk setting, while still damp, and preferable while still damp. Do not steam, this can leave watermarks.
Storing Silk
Store in breathable fabric, not plastic. Cedar chips or balls may be needed to keep away moths.
Top Tips
1) Do not use bleach – it will damage the fabric
2) Alcohol will damage silk – be careful with hairspray and perfume
3) Avoid soaking silk – it can cause fading
4) Avoid detergents with enzymes an brighteners
5) For hard water, add a spoonful of borax
6) Salts in deodorants and perspiration weaken fibers
