How to take care of silk

Taking care of silk requires a gentle touch and special attention to maintain its luxurious look and feel.

Here are some tips on how to care for silk:

Option 1: Hand washing

• Hand Wash: Hand washing is always the safest method for delicate items such as silk. It is best to hand wash silk garments in cold water with a mild detergent made for delicate fabrics. Soak the silk item and leave it for three minutes. You may also use mild body soap as an option besides detergent.    Gently swish the garment in the water and avoid wringing or twisting to prevent damage.

• Drying: Lay the garment flat on a clean towel and gently roll the towel to absorb excess water. Avoid wringing out silk as it can cause wrinkles and damage the fabric. Hang the garment to air dry away from direct sunlight. Silk items dry quickly due to the fine fabric.

• Ironing: Use a low temperature setting on your iron and iron the silk garment inside out to prevent direct contact with the heat. You can also use a pressing cloth to protect the silk fabric while ironing or low heat steam iron.

• Storage: Store silk garments in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and damage. Avoid hanging silk items on wire hangers as they can leave marks, instead, use padded hangers.

• Stain removal: If your silk garment gets stained, gently blot the stain with a damp cloth and avoid rubbing which can damage the fabric. For tough stains, it's best to seek professional help.

Option 2 : Machine Wash: 

• Machine wash: Pre-treat any visible stains If there are any visible stains before washing by gently dabbing the stained area with a mild detergent or a stain remover specifically designed for silk fabrics.

• Select a gentle cycle: Choose a mild detergent formulated for delicate fabrics. Avoid using bleach or harsh detergents, as they can cause discolouration or damage to the fabric. Another option would be using a specialised silk wash if available.

• Place your silk item in a mesh bag / laundry bag: This is to protect the silk fabric from excessive friction and stretching.This will help minimize any potential damage caused by the washing machine's drum.

• Wash on short cycle: Select a shorter cycle to minimize potential damage caused by washing machine drum. Once the washing cycle is complete, do ensure that the silk item is thoroughly rinsed to remove any detergent residue. Leftover detergent can leave a film on silk which can affect its appearance and texture.

• Air Dry: Avoid using a dryer, as high heat can shrink or damage silk fabric. Gently squeeze out excess water from the garment and lay it flat on a clean towel. You may roll the towel to absorb more moisture, and then reshape the silk item and lay it flat on a drying rack. Allow it to air dry away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

By following these care tips, you can help preserve the beauty and longevity of your silk garments. 

If you have more questions on how to care for your silk, please feel free to reach out to us at hello@silkfairy.com