How to Wash Mulberry Silk? Steps & Tips

You must understand how to properly wash mulberry silk or you risk ruining it. For your benefit, check out these steps and tips.

One of the best, lightest, and most delicate silks in the world is mulberry silk. It comes from the cocoons of silkworms that eat the leaves of mulberry trees and is extremely soft and hypoallergenic. It is a beautiful pearly white color when it is in its raw (dye and chemical-free) state. So how do you wash mulberry silk?

Add a few drops of pH-neutral silk detergent to a basin of lukewarm water. The silk should be submerged in water and left to soak for three minutes. Gently agitate and wash the silk in the water using your hands. The silk should be washed in cold water and then rolled in a soft towel. To air dry, hang something or lay it flat on a drying rack.

Here are some tips on washing Mulberry silk.

How to Hand Wash Mulberry Silk?

Before attempting to wash clothing made from mulberry silk, it is important that you first check the garment’s care label. Check the care label to see if the garment has special care requirements, if it is meant to be dry cleaned only, or if it is allowed to be hand washed at home.

Things You’ll Need

• A basin, container, sink, or tub
• Silk detergent or detergent for delicates
• An absorbent towel
• Mulberry silk cloth

Fill a basin with cool to lukewarm water. The water shouldn’t be any warmer than 77°F/25°C. At this temperature, if you put your hand in the water, it should feel slightly warmer than room temperature, since room temperature is typically 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73.5°F)

Add a few drops of pH-neutral silk laundry detergent or detergent for delicates.

Submerge the mulberry silk in the water and leave it to soak for 3 minutes.

Use your hands to gently agitate the mulberry silk in the water. Wash the mulberry cloth once more if necessary to get it clean enough.

Once you have finished washing your mulberry silk garment in the water, remove it and rinse it with cold water. Rinse the silk repeatedly until all of the soap has been washed away and the water is clear.

Your mulberry silk should be spread out evenly and flatly on a towel that is soft and absorbent. Proceed to gently roll the towel up (sushi roll style) and apply pressure to the top of the roll in order to remove excess water.

Hang or lay flat to air dry in a cool place out of contact with direct sunlight. Never tumble dry silk in the dyer, and never dry silk in the sun.

How to Machine Wash Mulberry Silk?

Mulberry silk can be conveniently machine washed, but you must be extremely cautious. So, stick to the steps below:

What you need

• If at all possible, use a mild, pH-neutral detergent that is safe for silk.
• Mesh laundry bag
• Washing machine
• Cold water

Steps to follow

1. Put your mulberry silk in a safe mesh laundry bag.
2. The washing machine should now contain the bag.
3. Double-check that only silk items are being placed in the washing machine; keep an eye out for stray socks!
4. On your washing machine, select the coldest (or very coldest) setting.
5. A gentle cycle should be chosen.
6. No enzyme or biological detergents; just a very mild detergent added to the wash.
7. Start the wash.
8. Once the cycle is complete, take out the item and move on to the drying stage.

Tips to Keep in Mind When Washing Mulberry Silk

Before cleaning your mulberry silk, you should make a mental note of the following tips:

• Silks should be washed independently.
• Turn silk inside out, if possible.
• Make use of laundry bags when washing silk items. As a result, laundry is kept organized and, more importantly, protected from harm.
• Always read clothes tags to find out specific washing instructions.
• Cold water is great for washing silks, both by hand and in the washing machine!
• Once you’re done washing your silk, and it’s time to hang it up, you should use padded hangers to protect the fine material.
• Take off any rings and bracelets you’re wearing before you start the washing and drying phase – a ring or a charm could easily snag this delicate material.

Washing Mulberry Silk: Do’s and Don’ts

You can extend the life of your priceless possessions by taking extra care to maintain mulberry silk. To wash Mulberry silk, follow these Dos and Don’ts.

The Do’s

• Use a Mesh Bag

In a mesh bag while washing, place your Mulberry silk. Many clothing items have intricate embroidery, and when the threads are spun in a machine, they can tangle. Even worse, it might become stuck in machinery. Mesh bags are conveniently offered in the marketplace.

• Dry Inside Out

This applies to each and every piece of clothing. To keep the colors vibrant for longer, dry them inside out. Additionally, it stops the fabric from being harmed because any wear and tear will be absorbed by the inner layer of the fabric.

• Store Mulberry Silk Separately in an Antibacterial Covering

Items made of Mulberry silk should be kept apart. It will stop lint from accumulating. Also, keep it enclosed in a covering for protection. There are many antibacterial covers on the market. Neem leaves can also be used. Never, under any circumstances, and especially never a printed paper, please use a covering made of paper.

• Ironing Inside Out, Preferably Under a Layer of Thin Fabric

The fabric silk is delicate. While pressing, you ought to exercise extreme caution. Use the appropriate temperature setting, and for best results, place a thin layer of fabric on top.

The Don’ts

• Does Not Use Detergents that Contain Bleach and Enzymes

Use gentle fabric cleaners without bleach or enzymes if you choose to hand-wash or machine-wash your clothes. It is important to use a gentle wash cycle. The most prized quality of Mulberry silk, its fluidity, can be damaged by bleach, which can also diminish the fibers’ natural sheen.

The reason it reigns supreme among the various types of silk is its fluidity and softness. You don’t necessarily need pricey detergents. A quality children’s shampoo will also work. Additionally, don’t wash your Mulberry silk for an extended period of time.

• Does Not Use Water Temperature Exceeding 30 Degree Celsius

Your Mulberry silk apparel, including pillowcases, should be washed like most delicate fabrics. in lukewarm water. No more than 30 degrees Celsius may be present. The strength of the fibers may be weakened by higher temperatures, which will eventually cause the fabric to become less resistant to wear and tear.

• Do Not Dry in Direct Sunlight

The colors may oxidize in direct sunlight and eventually fade. This procedure can be sped up by using harsh detergents or detergents that contain bleach. Additionally, avoid drying it inside.

Your Mulberry silk fabric should be dried outside in the shade, away from the sun. The need for as much care during drying is diminished by the fact that silk dries more quickly than other types of silk and fabrics.

Conclusion

Using cold water, you should hand-wash any Mulberry silk items you have. Use only a gentle laundry soap that is designed for silk. Instead of rubbing or scrubbing, submerge objects and move them gently with your hand. Thoroughly rinse all of the soap away.

Mulberry silk, like other types of silk, requires careful maintenance in order to maintain its fluidity and sheen.

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