6 tips for taking good care of your silk clothes

Silk is a noble and elegant material, so delicate that it requires special care. To help you with its maintenance, here is everything you need to know about washing, drying, and ironing silk.

Silk is one of those elegant, delicate, and undeniably fragile materials essential in many textiles, especially clothing. Whether it’s a dress, skirt, pants, shirt, or scarf, silk has it all. Only downside: is its maintenance. This natural material of animal origin is particularly fragile, especially in the face of chemical products. Thus, it requires precise maintenance not to damage its fiber and to maintain the quality of silk textiles.

How to wash your silk clothes?

Silk is a resistant material in general. Despite everything, following the maintenance advice for this fiber is essential. Before any wash, it is recommended to check the maintenance code of a product via its label. The different symbols indicate washing recommendations. This natural material can be cleaned with mild soap in cold or lukewarm water. In addition, flying in the washing machine is possible, but only by opting for a delicate washing program at 30°C. On the laundry side, it is recommended to use a soft, non-toxic,  natural product suitable for silk.

With silk, there are certain things to avoid when washing. It is advisable not to pass this material at more than 30°C, nor to use a stain remover – which can damage the delicate fiber of the silk – or even a softener. The reason? This can make the fabric greasy and heavy, as the Comptoir des Cotonniers brand website points out.

Does silk shrink in the wash?

Be careful; silk can shrink in the wash at too high a temperature. If it is boiling, it can cause the fabric to shrink. This is why it is recommended to favor a hand wash for a silk garment or textile.

How to remove a stain from a silk garment?

The problem with silk is that it is susceptible to chemicals and dyes. Thus, a simple stain can destroy a fabric. Mix water and white vinegar in a basin to remove a stain from this delicate fiber as quickly as possible. Then, soak the textile in water and white vinegar and leave to soak for 5 minutes, no more, then let the garment dry. If it’s a greasy stain, pouring a little baking soda on the stained area may remove it. Finally, it is essential not to rub a shame but to dab it to preserve the quality of the silk.

How to dry silk?

Regarding the drying of silk, it is advisable not to use a dryer, which can damage the fiber of the textile. There is a simple process to follow:

1. After washing, blot the garment with a bath towel.
2. Place the garment on a hanger.
3. Let it air dry.

Note: avoid drying in direct sunlight or on a radiator; this could damage the fabric.

How to iron silk?

Silk should never be ironed when dry and with an iron that is too hot. To iron this fiber, it is recommended to do it on a damp textile, using a wet cloth and placing the iron slider on the lowest temperature. Also, steam cleaning is not recommended as it may damage the fiber.

How to store your silk clothes?

Once a silk garment has been washed, dried, and ironed, it is advisable to place it on a hanger. Unlike cotton, silk has the advantage of not creasing. It is also possible to fold a silk textile. To maintain their quality and prolong their lifespan, wrapping each piece in tissue paper is recommended. In addition, it is advisable not to place silk textiles facing the sun or light. Silk is a material that is resistant over time but fragile when washed. It is, therefore, imperative to take great care of it.