Silk is an opulent and delicate fabric that needs to be washed with extra caution. Whether the fibers in your silk products are synthetic, artificial, or natural, maintaining their longevity and beauty requires proper cleaning.
Although natural silk, which is made by silkworms, is prized for its luster and softness, improper washing can quickly deteriorate it. However, even though they are more resilient, artificial and synthetic silks still require special care to maintain their appearance and texture.
You can maintain the finest possible appearance for your clothes for many years to come by being aware of the variations in care required for each type of silk. Silk washing doesn’t have to be a difficult undertaking with a few handy hints and methods.
| Type of Silk | Washing Tips |
| Natural Silk | Hand wash with cold water and mild detergent. Avoid wringing or twisting, and dry flat away from direct sunlight. |
| Artificial Silk (e.g., Rayon) | Use lukewarm water and a gentle cycle if machine washing. Use a mesh bag and mild detergent. Air dry to prevent damage. |
| Synthetic Silk (e.g., Polyester) | Machine wash on a delicate cycle with cold water. You can tumble dry on low, but air drying is preferred to maintain texture. |
- Natural silk – machine wash
- Features of hand washing
- Homemade laundry products
- Washing artificial silk
- Synthetic washing
- Drying and ironing of items
- Video on the topic
- How to wash silk items
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Natural silk – machine wash
If you have read the manufacturer’s recommendations and there are no warning signs, you can move forward. After being placed in a laundry net, the items are put inside the machine. Choose the "delicate" or "manual" mode from the control panel. Reduce the spin speed or turn it off entirely. Variations in temperature can harm silk. Either set the temperature mode to 30 °C or completely turn off the heating.
When the cycle is finished, the objects are taken out and, if required, carefully squeezed out by hand. You can make use of thick cotton fabric or a towel. Allow the drying to finish at room temperature.
If you rinse mottled and plain silk bed linens in vinegar-acidified water, they will regain their original appearance. Following the procedure, the pattern appears brighter and the color is restored. During the rinsing stage, antistatic agents and rinse aids for silk are also advised.
Features of hand washing
Hand washing is the best way to take care of silk items. Particularly when it comes to natural products that need to be handled carefully. Warm water (t = 30–40°) must be added to a plastic container, and shampoo for delicate fabrics, soap shavings, clear liquid soap, or regular shampoo must be mixed into the water. After wrapping clothing in foam, let it sit for fifteen minutes. Washing natural silk requires a lot of water.
After that, you must carefully wash it. Never pull, twist, or rub the fabric. Water weakens the fibers’ structure and makes them more susceptible to mechanical stress damage. Next, give the objects a thorough rinse in various waterways. With every water change, use a lower temperature. Move the water out gently. Arrange objects on a terry towel to dry. Steer clear of hot air coming from radiators or heaters.
Homemade laundry products
Even with the advent of specialty detergents, home cures are still widely used and effective.
- Potato broth will help you care for bright fabrics. To prepare it, you need to boil 1 kg of potatoes in 3 liters of water. When ready, drain and cool. Leave silk products in the broth for 2 hours. After this, add 2 tbsp. l alcohol and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse the silk in several waters and dry.
- Potatoes are also used raw. It is cleaned and grated. Squeeze the juice through cheesecloth and mix with water. Wash without adding detergents.
- Hydrogen peroxide will help restore the whiteness of white fabric and eliminate yellow stains. The solution is prepared from 15 measures of water and one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide with the addition of 3 drops of ammonia. Duration of bleaching is 15 minutes at a temperature of 30 °. During the action, the item will need to be stirred several times. Rinse with warm water at the end.
- Silk scarves and shawls are washed in a decoction of white beans or beans.
- To remove stains, use a paste of starch mixed with a small amount of water. Apply the composition to the contaminated area and leave until dry. Remove dry residues with a clothes brush. Then wash.
- The liquid after soaking the bran removes dirt from natural silk and is used to wash white items.
Washing artificial silk
Because artificial silk is made of cotton or viscose fibers, it resists temperature changes during washing. However, it also needs to be cleaned carefully and with a mild detergent in warm water. It is not permitted to boil, wring, or rub synthetic silk garments or textiles.
Rinse with conditioner-rinse or ammonia at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water to soften.
To absorb moisture, washed shirts and dresses are wrapped in a sheet or towel. Please keep in mind that damp fabric can get damaged. As a result, everything must be finished quickly.
Synthetic washing
Because synthetic silk, also known as Armani silk, is primarily composed of polyester, it is a material that is sensitive to high temperatures.
- Wash items made of this fabric at a temperature no higher than 30 ° C, both by hand and in a washing machine.
- Dry in a straightened form, trying not to wring out too much. Since the material consists mainly of polyester, it dries quite quickly.
- Ironing is carried out at a temperature of no more than 150 ° C.
Drying and ironing of items
Items should not be hung vertically on a rope and fastened with clothespins after being washed and rinsed as this will cause creases and marks to stick. Good options for hanging include hangers, thick rope, or a cylindrical holder that you can toss the object through. It is preferable to lay it out to dry at room temperature or in the shade in an open area on a soft surface. To remove the moisture, bed linens are spread out on a drying rack or rope. Hot air exposure ought to be avoided.
- It is recommended to start ironing when the clothes or linen are still damp. Over-dried silk is difficult to smooth out, and water leaves stains.
- Iron delicate material with an iron in the "silk" mode only from the inside through an ironing pad. The steaming and moistening function should be turned off.
- Steaming is only possible in a vertical position, without contact with the fabric. In case of complex, non-removable folds, you will have to completely wet the item again, blot it and repeat the procedure.
- Some fabrics, such as crepes, can shrink during washing. They are ironed damp, and the fabric is slightly stretched under the iron.
Although cleaning silk objects might seem difficult, it’s easy to maintain their best appearance with the appropriate method. It’s crucial to adhere to the specific care requirements of each type of silk, be it synthetic, artificial, or natural, in order to prevent damage.
The safest way to wash natural silk is usually by hand in cool water with a mild detergent. Instead of wringing the fabric dry, use a towel to gently press the water out. For best results, let it air dry and keep it out of direct sunlight to preserve the texture and color.
Similar to rayon, artificial silk is usually a little more forgiving, but it still needs to be handled carefully. Care labels should be closely read because some items can be machine washed on a delicate cycle. Similar to natural silk, air drying is preferred, and heat damage should be avoided when ironing.
The easiest silk to maintain is synthetic silk, like polyester, which can frequently be dried and machine washed. Still, it’s a good idea to use a delicate cycle and low heat settings to prolong the life of your clothing. Steer clear of using excessive detergent as this can accumulate and cause the fabric to feel rigid.
You can make sure your silk products stay exquisite and opulent for many years to come by being aware of the particular requirements for each type of silk. These delicate textiles can be enjoyed throughout the year, adding style and coziness to your wardrobe, provided you take good care of them.
There are three types of silk: natural, artificial, and synthetic. Each has different requirements when washing. We’ll go over the best ways to clean and take care of each type in this post to make sure your silk clothes last longer and remain gorgeous. Whether you’re working with durable synthetic blends, adaptable artificial versions, or delicate natural silk, knowing how to wash and care for them correctly will keep your wardrobe looking its best.
