Silk is one of the finest fibers of all and is flattering as clothing. When cleaning silk, you should be very careful, as silk is very delicate. We have some tips here to ensure your garment continues to look good.
Washing silk
First, sort silk textiles by color, as colors can bleed during washing. Then, check the labels on the garments. If the silk blouse can be machine washed, use only a wool or delicate cycle at a maximum of 30°C. Some modern washing machines even have a dedicated cycle for silk.
If hand washing is recommended, wash the laundry quickly in a soapy bath at a maximum of 30°C without rubbing, brushing, or squeezing. Do not leave the silk soaking in the soapy water and do not wring it out afterwards.
Washing black silk
When washing black silk, it is best to avoid regular water and use black tea instead. This helps the laundry retain its shine and prevents it from becoming dull.
Making silk shine
To make silk shine, you don't always have to reach for expensive special cleaners: try using sugar. Add a well-heaped teaspoon of sugar to the rinse water, and your silk blouse will shine beautifully again.
Drying silk
Pieces made of pure silk should definitely be dried lying flat. Shirts or blouses that are partially made of silk should be hung up to dry while still dripping wet on a clothes hanger – preferably over the bathtub. Never let silk pieces dry on a heater or in the sun.
Ironing silk laundry
Iron silk garments only from the inside out, using low heat and while they are still damp.
Storing silk
Beautiful silk garments should not be folded. Always store them hanging or, at most, rolled up.
Read also: Water stains on silk
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
