HOW TO WASH SILK: CARE FOR YOUR SENSUOUS SILKS AT HOME – THE SUSTAINABLE WAY
Categorising your delicate fabrics from the rest is the first big step when learning how to care for and wash your delicate garments. Most laundry experts agree that lace, silk, velvet, chiffon, polyester, fine knitwear, and other lightweight fabrics should be recognised as delicate. These fabrics need to be handled with care in order to maintain their appearance, shape and most important: longevity.
However daunting washing your fragile and delicate fabrics may seem, it’s our job to make it easier for you, and eliminate any fears you may have over washing your delicates.
Continue reading to gain our expert advice on how to properly wash and care for your silk garments.
WASHING SILK IN 6 EASY STEPS:
Silk is an expensive and delicate fabric that you’ll want to make sure stays looking as beautiful as it did after you’ve cleaned it. Many people believe that fabrics such as silk need to be sent to the dry cleaners, but this isn’t necessary as you can care for your sensuous silks at home – the sustainable way. To keep your silks looking stunning, feeling soft and living a long life, read our expert advice below on how to wash silk.
EXPERT TIP: Test your garments for colour fastness.
It’s important to know that silk commonly bleeds and has the potential to stain other garments in the wash. This is most common in coloured silks, especially if there are two or more colours present, or if it’s the first time the item is being washed. It’s normal for this to occur and won’t result in any colour fading when the cycle has finished.
To test for colour bleeding, find a hidden area on the item like the hem or a section of the interior seam and dip it in lukewarm water. If the dye runs into the water, you’ll know that bleeding will occur when washed. If the garment bleeds, wash it alone, separately from other items.
STEP 1:
Turn your silk items inside out and wash them with garments of the same or similar colour.
STEP 2:
Fill a bowl or basin with cold water and add 10-20 ml (1-2 capfuls) of a specialist detergent.
STEP 3:
Place your item/s in the soapy water and gently work the soap into your silk garment, focusing extra attention on the collar, cuff, underarm and crotch areas. Let it soak for 30 minutes.
STEP 4:
Run the item/s under fresh cold water until the soap is no longer apparent, and then squeeze out the excess water (don’t wring!)
STEP 5:
Lay your items flat on a towel to dry or alternatively, hang them on a clothes horse or clothes hanger. ADVICE: If hanging on a hanger to dry – position the item correctly so that it doesn’t stretch.
STEP 6:
To keep fresh and protected between washes, use a fabric mist. This will ensure your item stays clean, soft and smells gorgeous for longer.
HOW TO WASH A SILK SHIRT:
Silk shirts are the one silk item that’s guaranteed to get dirty faster than other silk items, purely because it is worn outside. Apply the same hand-washing steps as above, in a more frequent washing schedule, or spray your silk shirt with a non-bio fabric mist after each time you wear it. This will ensure the non-toxic formula of the refreshing mist protects the silk in between the washing cycles.
HOW TO WASH A SILK PILLOWCASE:
Purchasing silk bedding and laying your head to rest on a silk pillowcase is one of the highest feelings of luxury, not to mention the soft and smoothness of the silk fabric. Unfortunately, there will soon come a time when you’ll need to wash your silk bedding and you might find yourself asking how you take care of the material in order to keep it feeling brand new, among a plethora of other questions. Learn how to wash a silk pillowcase and care for it with us by reading this blog – there are lots in store for you!
HOW OFTEN TO WASH A SILK PILLOWCASE:
We often forget how dirty our bed sheets can get, especially our pillowcases. Every single skincare product you use on your face and hair transfers onto your pillowcase even if you shower before bed. Having said this, you should ideally wash your pillowcase weekly. If you are prone to skin conditions including acne or have a cold or virus, it’s best to wash your pillowcase even more frequently. Moreover, if you like to be way ahead of the game, have some standby pillowcases ready in case laundry day gets delayed.
HOW TO RESTORE SILK AFTER WASHING:
To restore the shine or softness that’s been lost, you can give your silk items a white vinegar bath. This helps to remove any residual soap in the fibres and also restores the silk’s original qualities – softness and shine. Mix 59ml of white vinegar with 4 litres of cold water for a large load (cut each amount in half for half a load) and follow the same instructions written above (without the laundry detergent, of course).
HOW TO STEAM SILK:
Steaming is the ideal way to gently remove any visible creases and wrinkles and add lustre to the silk fabric. The hot steam from a steamer also removes odours and kills bacteria, whilst nourishing the textile fibres and allowing them to regain their natural shape.
TIP: Always read the care label on your garment to see if the item can be steamed or not.
HOW TO STORE SILK:
When you’re storing away your silk items, you should hang them in cotton garment bags to keep the insects away. Use acid-free tissue paper if you are storing the items for the long term.
TIP: Never store your silk items in plastic because it encourages mildew causing moisture to yellow the silk and creating a prime environment for insects.
