Silk outfits always look expensive and stylish. Together with an expert, we figure out how to properly care for silk so that it lives as long as possible.
Silk is a delicate material that was considered a treasure even before our era. Today we treat it more simply, but almost every girl has this product made from this fabric in her wardrobe. Silk items add femininity, aristocratic charm and do not go out of fashion. This delicate fabric is easily damaged during washing, drying and even when using perfume. The founder of the ATANA brand, Anastasia Gallina, shared the rules, the observance of which will prolong the life of things made from this delicate material.
Before washing colored silk, check color fastness by dampening the fabric at the inside seam. Wait a few minutes and then wipe the stain with a white cloth or cotton swab. If the color fades, the dye will start to bleed during washing, so take these clothes to the dry cleaner.
Never use regular stain remover on silk. Spot treatment with stain removers can damage the color and finish. Wash the entire item of clothing and give it more time to soak to remove food stains. For dark or heavy stains, take the item to the dry cleaner.
Additionally, there is no oxygen or chlorine based bleach that can be safely used on silk. Silk fibers dissolve in chlorine bleach. Even dilute solutions of chlorine bleach cause permanent yellowing, loss of color and weakening of silk.
When you are ready to dry the fabric, do not twist or twist the fabric. When silk is wet, the fibers are fragile and can break. Gently squeeze out the water or wrap in a clean white towel to remove moisture. Do not use the dryer even on low heat.
1. Hand wash with soft detergents
Silk clothes made from this material often fade, lose shape and color. Therefore, a disclaimer: if you have the opportunity to dry-clean your items, give preference to this option for caring for your items. The chances of a long-term friendship with your favorite item when dry-cleaned increase significantly. If you prefer home care, pay special attention to water: no higher than 30-40 degrees, without bleaches, solvents and other aggressive components. But you can add a little vinegar to preserve the color – 15 ml per liter of water. In a washing machine, silk items can be washed only in the “delicate” or “hand” wash mode, without other items and without automatic spin.
2. Do not wring out, but gradually dry and straighten
Twisting wet silk fabric means breaking the fragile fibers of the material. It is better to leave the product on a hanger with soft hangers: this way the water will drain naturally and the fibers will not break. Other killers of silk are batteries, hair dryers and direct sunlight. To prevent water from dripping from the item, forming a puddle on the floor, wrap the item in a terry towel, lightly press and spread it on a horizontal surface.
3. Iron at minimum temperature on reverse side
Before ironing silk, it is important to maintain the moisture balance. If you start ironing a very wet fabric, a metallic sheen will appear on your favorite blouse; if it’s dry, there is a risk of deformation, but you can’t wet it in the process – stains will appear. But if you turn out a slightly under-dried item and put gauze on top, then an iron at a minimum temperature (70 degrees) will do its job. Pay attention to the recommendations on the tag: check that the iron is not crossed out, or use a steamer.
4. Store away from the sun in a case and on a hanger
The four words that silk is afraid of are sun, moisture, folds and moth. Therefore, you should not clamp the item in the closet on a shelf or wrap it in plastic. “Breathable” covers and a dark room with fresh air will protect the fabric from mold, yellow tint and creases. It is better to protect yourself from moths without aerosols and other chemicals – bags of lavender, that we include with each your orders.
5. Protect from stains
Make it a rule to use deodorant, perfume and hairspray before putting on silk items. But if a difficult stain appears, more tips that will help remove the stains you can find in our post Removing Stains from Silk Clothes
Below you can find quick tips for removing the stains from your own silk clothes:
- remove tea, coffee and wine with glycerin by moistening the stain with it for 30 minutes and rinsing the item;
- traces of lipstick and perfume can be easily removed with a cotton pad with ethyl alcohol;
- Before washing, wipe sweat stains on white items with a warm aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, and on colored items with medical alcohol on a dry cloth;
- the blood will help remove the starch paste; after drying, clean it off and rinse the item;
- stains from berries and fruits are removed with a mixture of glycerin and alcohol in equal measure.
- Silk is a capricious material that requires careful care, but it looks great both in evening looks and in sets for every day.
