When I was a little girl, I wanted to help my mother with her chores so badly that I took her beautiful silk scarf and washed it. You can imagine where this is going… But how did I wash it? You may think I put it in the washing machine. But no, I did something much worse… I washed it by hand and scrubbed it with all my might! And I knew I had done something wrong when I saw my mother’s horrified face. Well, I never made that mistake again! It’s a fact that silk is an amazing fabric that exudes elegance and grace. And it can seem very difficult to wash and care for. However, with patience and the right methods and products, you can keep it looking like new for years and years! Here are 5 easy steps on how to wash silk clothes and practical tips for drying and care later!

How to wash silk clothes?

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To properly clean silk clothes, you need to follow a few steps. As long as you are gentle and patient enough, there is no reason to damage this beautiful fabric. There are 5 steps to follow to successfully wash your silk clothes without damaging them. Here’s what you need to do to preserve their shape:

  1. Fill a basin with cool water. Don’t use hot water, because you will damage the material. And very cold water isn’t much help for cleaning. Then, once your container is full, immerse your silk garment in it.
  2. You can add your favourite detergent to the tub, but don’t overuse it. This means you should only add a few drops. Then use your hand to mix everything together and leave the solution for about 5 minutes.
  3. You’ll need to use your hands again (gently!) and dip the garment from top to bottom to clean it thoroughly.
  4. The next step is to rinse the garment with cold water until all the soap is gone.
  5. To remove as much water as possible, never soak a silk garment! Instead, use a clean towel to absorb the excess water. Once this is done, you can hang it up to dry.

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You can wash it in the washing machine on the appropriate mode for silk. The temperature should not exceed 30 degrees Celsius/86 Fahrenheit and you should not wash it with rougher materials like jeans.

Yes, you can clean a stain on a silky garment. Nevertheless, you should never rub and wring it! Treat the stain with a solution of white vinegar, lemon juice and warm water.

Also read: How to remove makeup stains? Save your clothes with these ingenious techniques!

How to dry silk clothes?

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I know the feeling all too well. After a long day at work, when I get home, I just want to hit the button on the washing machine, then use the dryer and hit another button. And drink wine in between waiting. But… as tempting as it may be to throw your silk clothes in the dryer, never do it! The high temperature will damage the material and destroy your garment forever. Instead, always soak up the water with a towel and always dry it in a cool, dry place. Never hang it in the sun, as the colours will easily fade.

Taking care of silk: Practical tips

How to care for silk clothes? First of all, you should know that you always need to keep your silk clothes away from heat and direct sunlight, especially in the summer. Heat makes silk shrink and damages its material, while sunlight makes its colour fade. But here are some helpful tips and tricks that will make your life easier and your clothes look fabulous for years!

  • You should avoid adding direct heat to silk so as to not damage the material. What works best for removing wrinkles from silk is steam. However, not everyone has a steamer at home. What can you do instead?
  • Put the iron on the lowest setting and only iron when the fabric is completely dry.
  • If you’re not sure of the temperature you should set, place a piece of fabric between the iron and the silk. And never get the fabric wet when ironing! Again, the fabric must be completely dry! I know, it’s hard to get rid of that habit of spraying hot water on clothes while ironing… but you have to forget about it in this case!
  • Be sure to use moth repellent in your wardrobe, as moths are known to be fancy silk eaters! They may look disgusting, but their taste is impeccable!

By following these 5 easy steps on how to wash silk clothes, and to take care of them after that, your garments should keep their appeal for years ahead! And if by any chance, you are also wondering how to properly wash your underwear, have a look at these simple rules you need to know. Good luck everyone!