By: Mrs Mathis
Image by Budlee Fabrics If you are wondering how to clean silk, I have good news for you. Cleaning silk fabric is not nearly as hard as you think it is. Often you can spot clean silk so the washing silk is not even necessary. However, it is also handy to know how to wash silk when spot cleaning is not enough.
How To Clean Silk: Cleaning Silk Fabric Without Washing It
The first step to cleaning silk fabric is to try to avoid having to clean it at all. Avoid wearing silk next to your skin, especially in hot weather. If you enjoy the feeling of silk against your skin, try wearing underarm shields to protect your silk blouses and dresses from sweat stains. Also, avoid wearing silk when you are doing a dirty task or eating messy food.
If you should get something on silk, blot it up immediately and then rinse out the spot with clear water. Spot clean silk with grease based stains with talcum powder or cornstarch and then brush it off. You can also spot clean silk with a product called Silk Spot Out.
How To Wash Silk: Hand Washing Silk
Always remember the best source of information on how to clean silk is the label on the item in question. While dry cleaning silk fabric can be expensive, it is certainly worth it to protect an expensive garment, especially if that is what the label recommends.
Before cleaning silk fabric by hand washing, fill a sink with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo. Begin washing silk garments in the sink by soaking them and then gently stirring them about gently with your hands. Let the water out of the sink and rinse them well under running water. Then fill the sink with cool water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Rinse the garment one more time and then gently squeeze out the water.
Roll the garment in a towel and then allow it to dry flat.
How To Wash Silk: Machine Washing Silk
Washing silk in a washing machine is pretty straight forward. After you spot clean silk, wash in in cool water on the delicate cycle with a gentle detergent. Do not use bleach when washing silk. Allow the garment to dry flat out of direct sunlight.
Now you have learned several new things. You know how to clean silk without washing it and how to wash silk. You also know how to spot clean silk. Best of all, you now know that cleaning silk fabric is no big deal.
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I frequently wash and also dry new silk before making it into something! Using the dryer really depends on how much of a hurry I’m in As you have found it washes all the size out and makes it feel much softer.For crepe de chine, silk charmeuse and silk broadcloths I do it as a matter of course. Some people don’t like the bloom’ the surface gets from being roughed up but I like the vintage-y feelI’ve had bad results with chiffon and marrocain and some georgettes as almost impossible to press out nicely and get the grains true again to cut really accurately . A good steam prior to cutting is definitely preferable in some instances.It’s nice not to be ruled by the dry-cleaners!