How to Wash Silk? Silk Washing Instructions

Washing silk, the delicate fabric, is kind of difficult and maybe you don’t dare to have a try. Don’t worry, we are here to tell you how to wash silk at home.

Silk is unquestionably a lovely, opulent fabric, but it has a reputation for being difficult to maintain. If you hesitate to purchase a particular article of clothing or bedding because you don’t know how to properly care for silk.

Silk can be washed in a washing machine, but this is not the recommended method because the delicate fabric is susceptible to snags and tears. The safest method for caring for any silk clothing or bedding is handwashing, which we advise doing instead.

Check out these guidelines for cleaning silk without harming it.

How to Handwash Silk?

Contrary to popular belief, washing silk in a washing machine is an option (more on that below), but don’t do so as it may cause the delicate fabric to snag and tear. Handwashing is the most secure method for caring for any silk clothing or bedding.

Detailed instructions are provided below.

Pre-treat

You can skip this step if the silk item in question only requires thorough cleaning and has no obvious stains.

Related: How to Clean Silk Upholstery?

But for stained clothing, use a targeted treatment that is made to be silk-safe as a pretreatment. You can look around to find a solution that suits your specific stain type and price range as there are many different options available.

Soak

A capful of a delicates-specific detergent should be added to a tub or basin of cold water. Place your garment immediately into the cold bath, gently agitate the water to distribute the detergent, and let it soak for about 30 minutes.

Rinse and Drain

After a half-hour, take your soaking silk out of the solution and rinse it under cold running water to get rid of any soapy residue. Once the garment has been thoroughly rinsed, squeeze it between your hands to remove any extra water. Do not wring it!

Dry

Now that your sexy silk romper has been washed, it is time to dry it so it is ready for use. The temptation to put the item in the dryer might be strong, but perseverance will pay off in this case. Instead, air dry that thing by placing it in its natural shape on a drying rack or a clean, dry towel.

How to Wash Silk in the Washing Machine?

The best way to wash silk at home is by hand because it is a delicate fabric that a washing machine can easily ruin. Just remember that you have been forewarned.

Nevertheless, if you use a high-quality garment bag and only occasionally use the washing machine, you can get away with this method.

1. Turn the item inside out and place it inside a mesh bag that is specifically made for washing delicate clothing.
2. As previously mentioned, fill your washing machine with one capful of gentle detergent.
3. Run the machine on the delicate cycle—it’s there for a reason, friends—with cool water and a low spin.
4. Remove the clothing and let it air dry once more, this time on a drying rack or a clean, dry towel.

Tips on Washing Silk Fabric

• Read the care label: When a label says “Dry Clean” that is the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method, but it may not be the only method available—hand washing silk clothing is often an acceptable alternative. “Dry Clean Only,” however, should be strictly adhered to.
• Test for colorfastness: Before washing anything, make sure to test it first. Dip a cotton swab in water and mild laundry detergent, then dab it on a hidden seam to see if any dye comes off on the swab. The rich colors of silk can frequently bleed. Dry cleaning is advised for items with vivid prints or bleedy colors.
• Never spot-treat silk: One specific spot on the silk can lighten when you rub it. Wash the entire item if the stain is moderate, especially if it is in the middle of a pattern. You should take anything with dark or unsightly stains to the dry cleaner.
• Hand wash silk clothes in cold water: Fill a clean sink or small tub with lukewarm water and a small amount of delicate-friendly liquid detergent. Rinse thoroughly after three to five minutes of gentle stirring. Choose a gentle, cold-water cycle if the care label directs machine washing.
• Handle with care: After rinsing, gently squeeze out any extra water. Never twist or wring out silk clothing; doing so could harm the material.
• Avoid the dryer: To remove excess moisture, lay wet silk clothing flat on a clean, absorbent towel and roll it up in the towel. Lay flat on a drying rack or dry towel, then unroll and repeat with a second dry towel.
• Check the care label for ironing instructions: If the fabric care labels say the garment can be ironed, then you should use a low setting on your iron. Additionally, iron clothing while it’s still a little damp. On a cushioned hanger, hang to dry. Do not iron the silk item unless the care label specifies otherwise.

How to Remove Stains from Silk?

Congratulations! You’ve cleaned your silk clothing. But eventually, despite your best efforts to the contrary, you will stain them.

Silk is extremely susceptible to stains, and virtually any stain, including ones from red wine or blood, can be difficult to remove. The fact that sustainable silk has a stain-repellent coating that makes stains simply roll off is one of the motivations behind [Numi’s] development of it. However, it’s critical to treat stains on silk clothing as soon as they appear.

She and Wang treat silk items using the stain-removal procedure listed below.

1. Blot it out. Blot the area gently to get rid of as much of the stain as you can using a paper towel or cotton wool.
2. Make a homemade stain remover. A couple of tablespoons of lukewarm water and white vinegar or lemon juice can be combined to make a mild stain remover.
3. Test. Verify the solution’s colorfastness on a discrete area of the object. If not, get it cleaned as soon as you can at the dry cleaners.
4. Dab the area. Dab the stain with a white, spot-free cloth. Never rub silk, and never use bleach.
5. adhere to the washing instructions. As per the care label’s instructions, wash as usual.

You won’t automatically end up with your clothes in the donation pile once you realize the fundamentals of washing silk. Silk is an exquisite material. Knowing that you can care for your silk pieces at home should allow you to enjoy wearing them and sleeping on them.

How to Care for Silk?

That explains how to wash silk, but what about daily care? We have a few silk care tips:

1. Bleach should never be used on silk.
2. Put silk in a cool, dark location when storing it for an extended period of time.
3. Since plastic containers and bags can accumulate moisture, cotton storage bags are preferable to plastic ones for storing silk.
4. Silk is vulnerable to moth damage, so it’s important to periodically check your stored silks for indications of an infestation.
5. Steaming rather than ironing is a safer option for removing wrinkles from silk.
6. Your silks could lose their color if you regularly hang them up in a location where they will be in direct sunlight.

Silk may not be the most straightforward material to work with, but it is worthwhile to learn how to wash silk properly. That gorgeous silkiness can be kept for a very long time with a little thought and care.

Conclusion: Wash Silk Fabric

Before attempting to clean your silks, as with all clothing, read the care label. Dry-cleaning silk is occasionally your only choice. If the label demands dry cleaning, heed its instructions.

Silk can shrink in the washing machine if it isn’t handled properly, especially if it’s washed in hot water or is left in the water for a long time before washing.

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