How to care for silk

How do you hand-wash silk?

This is probably the safest way to wash silk garments, and the steps are easy to follow.

1. Submerge your silk in a basin filled with cool water.
2. Add a few drops of mild detergent and use your hand to mix it into the solution. Let the item soak for at least 3 minutes.
3. Using your hands, plunge the garment up and down to remove dirt.
4. Rinse the silk under cold water until all the soap has been washed out.
5. Soak up the moisture using a towel. Never rub or agitate your silk.
6. Hang it on a drying rack and keep it away from direct sunlight.
   
   

How do you wash silk in a machine?

Yes, you can wash silk in a machine. However, you must invest in a mesh bag to avoid tangling and damages.

1. Always check the label. Some items suffer damage or color loss in the machine.
2. Sort your laundry. Never wash silk with heavy pieces of clothing like jeans.
3. Use mesh bags to protect your silks from abrasion.
4. Add a detergent that is specifically designed to care for silk garments. Check the dosing instructions on the bottle.
5. Set your machine to a delicate wash option. Also, choose the shortest spin cycle and follow the recommended temperature in the label, if possible.
6. Soak up excess moisture using a towel.
7. Depending on the item, hang it up or lay it flat to dry. Again, avoid direct sunlight.