Silk Tips
Care of Silk Fabric: General Precautions
Silk is a natural protein fiber. Do not use chlorine bleach to clean silk; chlorine will damage the silk fabric
Avoid drying silk in direct sunlight as sunlight for a prolonged period will damage the silk fabric
Substances containing alcohol will damage silk fabric. So let your perfume and hairspray dry before dressing
Hand Washing Silk
Hand washing silk is our recommended mode of cleaning silk. Almost all silk can be hand washed (and would not shrink if the silk fabric were pre-shrunk before sewing)
If you have hard water, you may wish to first add a spoonful of borax to the washing water
Use lukewarm water and mild, non-alkaline soap (such as Ivory Liquid) or baby shampoo
While rinsing, you can add a few tablespoonfuls of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to neutralize alkali traces and to dissolve soap residue
Or, add a few drops of hair conditioner to the final rinse water for extra silky feel
Soaking silk for any more than a few minutes should be avoided
Do not use harsh detergents that contain bleaches or brighteners
Do not wring or twist; roll in towel to extract water
Machine Washing Silk
We recommend hand washing silk, even those garments labeled safe for machine washing
If, however, you do wish to machine wash silk, please use Delicate Cycle and mild detergent (such as Woolite®)
Do not use detergents that contain enzymes and br ighteners
Use the shortest spin cycle In a top-loading machine, we strongly recommend using a mesh bag for extra protection (this step would not be necessary in a front-loading machine)
Always separate your colorsMachine Washing Silk
Silk Care: Drying Tips
Hang silk garments to dry. The silk garment will hold its shape
As with any fine fabric, never use direct sunlight to dry silk clothing. Doing so can damage the silk fiber and fade the color. Wet silk may yellow in direct sunlight or on a radiator
Don’t use a wooden drying rack, as the dyes & finishes can leave stains
We do not recommend drying silk in a clothes dryer since it can damage silk in two ways: (1) excessive temperature and heat dulls the silk fabric and may also shrink it (2) friction with the dryer drum might cause yarn breaks or white streaks
If you do wish to use a dryer, use the heatless AIR FLUFF setting
Silk Care: Ironing Silk
If necessary, press the silk garment inside out while damp using cool iron setting (“Silk” setting on the iron)
Do not wet locally as this may cause rings
Too much heat can dull, pucker, or burn silk fabric
Most wrinkles in silk can be removed by hanging the garment in the bathroom during a shower. Let humidity do the ironing for you!
Silk Care: Travel Tips
Pack your silk garments as you would any other clothing. Simply hang the garment after unpacking. Minor wrinkles should disappear overnight
Better yet, hang your garment in the bathroom during a shower. The humidity will remove the wrinkles for you.
