How to Take Good Care of Your Silk Clothes?

We all love wearing silk clothes. And they are an esteemed favourite because of their shine, texture, and mystic effect it creates. But what is bothersome is, how to take care of silks in an appropriate way. Some say that it is advisable not to do machine dry. But if you have a long silk saree, it is impossible to wash it in a tub every week. But if small articles of silk, then it seems like a good idea. So, this article saves you unnecessary trauma, from getting a heart attack, that how to take the best care of your silks. Let us see how:

Truths about machine washing for silks

Look for labels if it allows machine washing or not. If it allows, then follows the below points:

1. Turn the garment upside down before putting them into the machine for washing
2. Avoid snags to your silk fabric by using a mesh washing bag
3. Make sure to wash your silk fabrics in cold water or water at room temperature
4. Do not run your washing machine in fast mode, as these are delicate clothes so always prefer washing them in delicate mode.
5. A slow spin cycle is always more beneficial than a faster one, as it will stretch your silk threads a lot more causing an alarming effect on the silk fabric

Silk cloth can be steamed to remove creases once it has dried. When steaming a garment, be careful not to stretch it too much, since this might damage the fibres and permanently affect the fit. Instead, hang the garment vertically and use the steam wand to relax the fabric and straighten any creases with downward strokes.

Can we wash at home?

This question is asked by everyone. So, we have added this title especially for it. 

Silk is a strong fabric. It has good tenacity but it is more vulnerable when it’s wet.

 A few general tips might come in handy when you are all set to wash your clothes by hand.

1. Always use mild detergents and stain removers which say that it is safe for silk fabrics
2. To prevent colour bleeding, always use different tubs for a particular silk fabric
3. Always turn clothes inside out
4. To clean your silk fabric, fill the tub full with water and 1-2 tablespoonfuls of mild detergent
5. Do not stir the water too much, as it may cause a bad effect on the silk fabric. As too much scrubbing and agitating the fabric will cause it to lose its shape permanently.
6. Soak your silk fabric for at least 30 mins to remove the stains and dirt from the fabric easily.
7. Always use cold water for cleansing the silk fabric. But make sure until the water comes clean.
8. Avoid twisting and wringing the fabric to release excess water. Do not twist or wring the fabric to release excess water; squeeze them against the edge of the sink carefully to press the water out.
9. Once washing is over, lay them flat on the surface to let them dry. Do not hang the fabric on a rope, it will permanently lose its form.

But what to do if you have stubborn stains on your silk dress?

Although most stain removers designed for use on silk clothes at home are all-purpose, read the labels on the container for any warnings or instructions on how to mix the product for the best results. You may need to lightly brush the fabric after applying the solution to work the solution into the stain but avoid scrubbing it forcefully or harming the surface.

Most silk garments tell you not to go for dry cleaning. But if you think that the strains are too strong, better go to a dry cleaner, as they are professionals who know what and how much solvent is needed to do the needful. Even for garments that cannot be soaked in professional cleaning solutions, the solvents they use for stain removal may still be safe.

Because natural fibres may absorb elements like perspiration and body oils, stains may not develop until they've been subjected to solvents or heat from steaming, silk fabric can deceive you. You may not know it's soiled until after it's been cleaned. As a result, it is recommended that you dry clean them. Professionals have been well-trained in terms of what to use and what not to utilise.

Pivotal Factors 

     1. Mishandling: A silk fabric is known for its shine, gloss and velvety texture. But if you are not cautious while handling it, it may lose its structure. Some of the common mistakes we make are as follows:

• Hanging the silk clothes
• wringing it to remove excess water
• Sun drying the silk fabric
• Using strong detergents to remove stubborn stains
• Abrasive washing techniques to remove dirt
• Direct pressing your silk fabric without any barrier

      2. Steam drying: This is the best way to steam dry your clothes before you wear them. It is the safest   way to remove wrinkles from your silk fabric. Even if the fabric that you bought says safe pressing, it is a must to use a barrier and make use of low heat mode to even out the wrinkles.

      3. Overexposure: It is advisable not to dry your clothes in bright sunlight, it will cause a drastic change in colours and spoil the glossy texture of it in no time. So, please make sure not to air dry your clothes beside heat sources or windows with direct sunlight.

      4. Inspection: Most silk fabrics when it is stored for a long time develop moth infestation. This in particular is very infectious and is capable of destroying other silk fabric sarees and other dresses. So, timely inspection is important.

      5. Improper storage: If you plan to store it for long periods, you must ensure to store your silk couture in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, so that your silk fabric could breathe. And do not think of storing your silk couture in an airtight container. But before you store it, make sure that the silk item is free of dirt and natural oils. If you store them when they are still dirty, they might develop a moth infestation and cause irreparable damage.