With Spring in full swing, now is the time to get all that lovely Spring cleaning done and have your home feeling fresh. If you have any silk products in the home, you may be wondering how to maintain them and wash them safely. The delicate, luxurious nature of silk bedding and clothing can naturally leave you feeling nervous to pop them in the washing machine, fear not though! Follow our advice and your silk products will be looking as good as new in no time…
It’s easy to overlook the washing advice on your day to day washing, but when it comes to giving your silk a spin, it’s always best to check the label. It will usually recommend machine washing on a gentle wash, or in some cases, hand washing might be the preferred method.
Despite many myths, you can in fact pop your silk in the washing machine. We’d recommend washing your silk items together or with other lighter items of clothing, don’t mix them with heavier items in the wash. Opting for a short, delicate cycle using a silk-friendly detergent will give your silk garments and bedding the ultimate TLC they deserve. Always ensure your wash is a cool wash as higher temperatures can significantly damage your silk items.
When washing in the washing machine, just take in mind our do’s and don’ts:
DO:
- Use a gentle, silk friendly detergent
- Opt for a short, delicate wash cycle
- Wash in cold/cool water and avoid high temperatures
- Use a mesh bag for your delicate silk for added protection
DON’T:
- Wash on a long, hot cycle
- Mix with heavy items like denim or towels
- Use fabric softener – this can leave residue on the silk’s surface after the wash
- Use bleach-based detergent, this will stain the fabric
If you’re not ready to pop your silk in the washing machine, you might choose to wash your smaller garments by hand. Still, wondering what’s best? Don’t worry, we’ve got you (and your silk) covered!
The same rules apply when it comes to hand-washing your silk. We’d still recommend using cool water to ensure you don’t cause damage to the luxury fabric. Fill your sink up with cool/lukewarm water and submerge the garments into the water. Add a small amount of delicate friendly detergent and stir it into the water gently. Before getting stuck in there, leave the items to soak in the water for a few minutes to soak in the solution, making it easier for you to remove any dirt. Once you’ve let your silk soak, plunge the items around in the water to loosen and remove any dirt, don’t vigorously scrub the surface of your silk clothing or bedding. Once finished, remove the dirty water and rinse your fabrics with clean, cold water until it runs clear with no soap.
If you have a stain on your silk that you’re struggling to remove, don’t scrub! Blot the stain with a diluted solution of your detergent before soaking it in the water. This will work the stain out gently, leaving your silk looking beautiful.
To summarise, here are our do’s and don’ts for hand washing silk:
DO:
- Use cool water
- Use gentle, silk-friendly detergent
- Let the items soak before washing by hand
DON’T:
- Use hot water
- Scrub your items vigorously in an attempt to remove tough dirt
- Use fabric softener or bleach-based detergent
Of course, washing your garments or bed linen is just the first step, the key to keeping your silk healthy and looking its best after a wash is all in the way you dry it.
Whether you’ve used the washing machine or washed by hand, the same drying advice applies. Follow this and your silk will be looking as soft and smooth as ever!
Once the wash is finished, place your silk garments on a towel to gently soak up excess moisture – don’t rub or apply pressure to the items. Once this is done, place your silk on a hanger or dryer and leave to dry naturally away from heat and most importantly, direct sunlight. Placing your silk in direct sunlight for long periods of time can cause the fabric to fade, losing its vibrancy and luxury feel.
Save this guide ready for your next Spring clean and have your silk looking brand new with just one good wash! Find more information in our silk care guide for advice on specific Jasmine Silk items.
