How To Wash and Maintain Silk Fabric the Proper Way?
If you’re the proud owner of silk garments like silk dresses or handmade scarves, you probably already know that taking care of it properly is essential to keeping it looking its best. While silk is a delicate fabric, washing and maintaining it doesn’t have to be difficult – as long as you follow a few simple rules.
In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to wash and maintain your silk fabric so it will stay looking gorgeous for years to come. Stay tuned for more great tips on caring for all your precious clothing items!
Table of Contents
What Is Silk Fabric, and Why Should You Use It?
Before we get into how to wash and maintain silk fabric, let’s first take a quick look at what silk is and some of its key benefits.
1. What Is Silk Fabric?
Silk is a natural protein fiber that can be woven into fabric. It’s made from the cocoons of silkworms and is typically harvested in countries like China, India, and Japan. Silk is a luxurious fabric with a beautiful shine and soft texture. It’s also a very strong fabric, which is why it’s often used in high-end clothing items like dresses, suits, and ties.
2. How Is Silk Fabric Made?
The process of making silk fabric begins with the silkworm. The worm spins a cocoon around itself using a single thread of silk. Once the cocoon is complete, the worm within is killed by putting it in boiling water. The cocoon is then unwound to create a long thread of silk fiber. After that, this thread is spun into yarn, which is then weaved into fabric.
3. What Are the Benefits of Wearing Silk Clothing?
There are many advantages to wearing silk clothing. For one, silk is a very breathable fabric, which means it’s ideal for warm weather climates. It’s also hypoallergenic, so it’s a good choice for people with sensitive skin. Silk is also known for being gentle on hair, which means it won’t cause your hair to break or frizz as much as other fabrics like wool or cotton. And last but not least, silk has a luxurious look and feel that can make any outfit feel more special.
How To Wash Silk Fabric the Proper Way?
It’s no secret that silk is a delicate fabric. So delicate, in fact, that many people are afraid to even wash it for fear of ruining it. But washing silk is actually not as challenging as you may imagine. Just follow these simple steps and your silk garments will be restored to like-new condition.
1. Check The Label
The first step to properly washing silk is to check the label. For example, if you are washing a silk scarf, look for any care instructions that might be listed. Depending on the type of silk fabric, different scarf manufacturers will have different washing instructions. However, if the label says “hand wash” or “machine wash on delicate,” then you can proceed to the next step.
2. Fill The Sink (Or Washer) With Cold Water
Whether you’re hand washing or machine washing, you’ll want to use cold water. Hot water temperatures can break down the silk fibers and cause them to shrink. If you’re machine washing, be sure to set your washer to the delicate cycle, you don’t want your customizable scarf, if it’s made of silk, to come out looking like a rag.
3. Add A Mild Detergent
Once you’ve filled the sink or washer with cold water, add a small amount of mild detergent. You don’t need to use a lot, just enough to get the job done. Swish the garment around in the water until it’s fully saturated, then let it soak for a few minutes. However, avoid using regular laundry detergent in this step as it’s too harsh for silk and can damage the fibers.
4. Rinse Thoroughly In Cold Water
After a few minutes have passed, rinse the garment thoroughly in cold water. You mighty need to rinse it more than once to make sure all of the detergents have been removed. Be sure not to wring or twist the garment while wet, as also this can damage the fabrics.
5. Hang Or Lay Flat To Dry
Once your garment is rinsed, hang it up or lay it flat to dry. Never use a dryer to dry silk, as this will ruin it irreparably. If you hung your garment up to dry, give it a light press with an iron once it’s completely dry. This will help to remove wrinkles that may have appeared while drying.
How To Maintain Silk Fabric To Keep It Looking New for Longer?
If you want your silk garments to last for years to come, there are a few things you need to do to take care of them.
1. How To Store Silk Fabric?
First of all, always store your silk garments in a cool, dry place. Humidity is a big enemy of silk, as it can cause the fabric to break down and become brittle. Direct sunlight can also damage silk, so avoid storing it in a place where it will be exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.
Silk clothing is delicate, so be sure to hang them with padded hangers. This will help to avoid any stretching or damage that could occur from using regular hangers. Lastly, store your silk fabric separately from other types of fabrics. The fibers in other materials can snag on the silk and cause it to tear.
2. How To Clean Silk Fabric Stains?
If your silk garment becomes stained, don’t panic. Every type of fabric has its own method of stain removal, and silk is no different.
For example, if your silk has a food or drink stain, simply blot the area with a clean white cloth. However, be aware that rubbing the stain will only make it bigger and more difficult to remove. If the stain persists, you can try spot-cleaning it with a mild detergent.
3. How To Keep Silk Fabric From Wrinkling?
First of all, always store your silk in a cool, dry place. And when you’re packing it for travel, be sure to use tissue paper or other soft materials to protect it.
You can also try hanging your silk in the bathroom while you shower. The steam from the shower will help to remove wrinkles. Just be sure not to leave your silk in the bathroom for too long, as the humidity can damage the fabric over time.
Conclusion
Just like any other fabric, silk has its own specific care instructions. However, if you follow the steps outlined above, you can keep your silk garments looking like new for years to come. Here at Sino Silk, we offer a wide variety of silk fabrics as well as scarf printing services to help you design scarf online, so feel free to browse our selection and find the perfect fabric for your needs.
About Peng Wang
Recent Article