Silk is one of the most refined fabrics, synonymous with elegance and luxury. When buying silk clothing, it's important to remember to take special care of it. How should you wash natural silk to keep it looking its best? How should you dry it to avoid damaging it? You'll find the answers to these questions below!
How to care for silk based on its properties?
Silk is a material of animal origin – its fibers are produced from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm or the oak silkworm, two species of butterfly. Silk production began in China in 3600 BC . For a very long time, the Chinese were the only ones in the world to produce it – for as long as 2000 years. What are the characteristics of this material? Silk fabrics are thin, slippery, and incredibly pleasant to the touch , also characterized by shine and lightness . Due to their delicate nature, silk is a material that requires washing and drying. Fortunately, there are reliable ways to care for it! Once you learn how to care for silk clothes and follow these tips, you're sure to enjoy them for years to come!
How to wash silk?
Let's start with washing. We strongly advise against washing silk . The tried-and-true delicate wash mode is an exception. However, if you're unsure, it's best not to risk using it on particularly valuable or important garments. In such cases, it's better to handwash silk. If you have hard water, consider adding borax, an eco-friendly cleaning agent with water-softening properties, to the water.
ANSIN'S TIP: How to wash mulberry silk? Before washing, check the manufacturer's label. It may be that the manufacturer's recommendations require the garment to be dry-cleaned.
How to care for silk clothes? Washing
Are you washing silk garments? Remember not to use regular detergents! Powder or gel laundry detergent can negatively affect the structure or color of the fabric. A much safer option is a delicates detergent or simple baby soap . The water temperature is equally important – it should be cool, lukewarm at most. Don't soak the silk for too long – let it sit in the water for just a few minutes. Then, gently turn it over in a bowl of detergent (without rubbing!), and finally, rinse several times. For rinsing, use water at a temperature similar to that used for washing .
How to dry silk?
Drying silk clothes must be as gentle as washing them. Don't wring them out – place them on a towel and then wrap them. Gently press the towel to absorb excess water . This is a much better method than letting the clothes drip dry – delicate, thin silk can stretch. How do you dry silk so it's wrinkle-free? It's best to dry silk flat on a towel (remember to replace it with a dry one after squeezing out the water!), but hanging it on a hanger is just as effective. Remember to avoid exposing the drying silk to direct sunlight – there's a risk of discoloration.
Learn more about how to dry clothes , in the dryer, and more.
How to Iron Silk? Tips
Can silk be ironed at all? Yes, but at the lowest possible temperature. The garment should also be turned inside out and slightly damp – this will minimize the risk of burning. It's a good idea to iron silk through a clean, cotton cloth to ensure the delicate material won't be damaged. If you have a modern steam iron at home, you can successfully use it to iron silk garments. However, remember to use the settings recommended by the manufacturer .
An alternative to silk? Viscose! This is what we use to make our pajamas:
Let us know if you have silk clothes in your wardrobe and what tips you use for washing and drying silk. We'd love to hear other people's tips and learn something new together!
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