Caring for silk

Silk is indeed a luxurious fabric, but caring for it doesn’t cost much in terms of money or time. Follow our guide to care for your silk and it will retain its original softness and sheen for years.

Washing silk

Pure, high quality looks better and lasts longer when it is gently washed, by hand or machine. The natural coating on silk fibers reacts well to warm water, so gentle hand washing has the advantage of rejuvenating the fabric and giving it a better drape.

Wash smaller items gently by hand. Bedding and table cloths can be washed in a machine. Its a good idea to check the instruction manual for the correct cycle for sik. Make sure there is not soap or dirt in the machine that might stain the silk or break down the natural proteins. Place the silk in a mesh bag or pillowcase loosely tied, and use only a very small amount of mild detergent, a gentle cycle and keep temperatures below 86°F (30°C). Never use a spin cycle as the agitation may damage the fibers.
Wash silk in luke warm water - like most natural fibers, silk does not tolerate abrupt changes in temperature, so keep it constant throughout the wash.
Silk naturally resists dirt and stains, so a very small amount of gentle soap needs be used - I often use my shampoo which gives a wonderful delicate and refreshing wash!
Avoid soaking silk as this may fade the natural dye.
To both revive faded or yellowed colors and protect the fabric from alkali damage, rinse the silk in water with a few tablespoons of white vinegar added. After the wash and vinegar rinse, rinse the silk thoroughly in cool (but not cold) water.
Remember, silk may be strong, but harsh chemicals can cause permanent damage, so avoid using bleach, and keep alcohol-based products away. Do not spot clean.

Drying silk

Silk is weaker when it is wet, so never wring silk and never machine dry as the friction and lack of humidity and can damage the fabric.

When drying, keep silk away from direct heat and sunlight, both of which can cause fading and yellowing. Instead, blot out excess moisture by wrapping wet silk in a towel and gently pressing. Hang silk neatly to finish drying naturally,

Pressing silk

Silk is naturally wrinkle resistant, but if you like it can be pressed while still damp - not when it is completely dry. If it has dried, dampen it with water from a spritzer bottle before ironing.

To avoid damage, iron on the reverse side. Use a low heat and do not use steam, which can leave water spots.
Because all our silk products are hand sewn, take care not to apply pressure to the seams of the garment.

Dry cleaning silk

Silk has been around much longer than dry cleaners - but it can be dry cleaned for convenience.

Choose your drycleaner carefully, and always tell them that that it is 100% pure silk.
Badly stained silk can be dry-cleaned - tell the dry-cleaner what caused the stain.

Storing silk

A couple of tips if you need to pack your silk away...

For long-term storage, keep silk in a cotton pillowcase or other material that can breathe. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture and can cause yellowing and mildew.
Silk, like other natural fibers, is a favorite with moths, so store cedar chips or balls with your silk to keep the bugs away.