How to Care for your Silk Fabrics?

How to Care for your Silk Fabrics?

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Silk is timeless. Although if it pricey just to purchase, it is just as expensive to maintain. Despite this, it is definitely worth the investment once one understands how to care of it properly. We hope that this article can help you get the most out of your Silk fabric's lifespan.
Throughout this article, we will be answering some commonly asked questions as well as sharing tips on the different forms of home care methods to ease the strain off your wallet from the dry cleaners.
Silk Fabric 2
Before we start, we would like to share some advice for you to keep in mind when you care for you Silk fabrics.
  1. If the Silk Fabric/ Garment comes with a care label, it is best to refer and follow it's instructions.
  2. Always do a colour fastness test before mixing your Silk fabric into the wash. This can be done by wetting the Silk fabric first, then place a dry white fabric over it. If there is no sign of colour bleeding onto the white fabric, it is then safe to mix your laundry.
  3. Avoid using Chlorine Bleach as this will damage the Silk fabric. Use detergent that are meant for delicates.

Care Label example  Chlorine Bleach

Now, you must be thinking about how much of a hassle it is just to clean your Silk fabric. Fortunately, we've compiled two washing methods accompanied by step-by-step instructions that are guaranteed to make cleaning your Silk fabric a breeze.

 

Method #1: Hand-washing Silk Fabrics

Hand washing is definitely the most cost-effective and also the best alternative to dry cleaning. This is also one of the safest method to wash your Silk fabrics at home.

 

Step #1: Fill a basin with cool water and submerge your Silk Fabric.

Step #2: Put some detergent that is suitable for delicates and stir the fabric. Do wear hand gloves if you are allergic to Detergent.

Step #3: Leave the Silk fabric to soak for 5 minutes and stir the fabric in the solution after.

Step #4: Plunge the fabric up and down in the solution gently to remove any excess dirt.

Step #5: Rinse the fabric under cold water until it is clear of soap.

Step #6: Avoid wringing the Silk fabric dry. Instead, use a towel to absorb the moisture from the fabric.

Step #7: Finally, hang dry your fabric on a hanger or a drying rack, away from direct sunlight.

 

Handwash fabric 

 

Method #2: Machine Wash Silk Fabrics

Those who are constantly on the move and dislike doing things by hand may find hand-washing time consuming. It is possible to wash silk in a washing machine, despite what you may have heard. Just ensure that you use the right methods and invest in a good laundry bag.

 

Step #1: Separate and place your Silk fabrics in a laundry bag to protect it from any damage.

Step #2: Add some detergent for delicates and place the laundry bag into the machine.

Step #3: Set the machine to "Delicate Wash" and the water temperature to "Cold".

Step #4: After the machine cycle is done, take the Silk fabric out of the laundry bag. Use a dry towel to absorb excess water off the fabric.

Step #5: Lastly, hang dry your fabric on a hanger or a drying rack, away from direct sunlight. 

 

Machine wash Silk

 

How to Dry Silk: Common mistakes & Tips

Now that we've talked about some home washing processes, next would be how you would dry your Silk fabrics. Below, we've listed some common mistakes people make when drying Silk.

 

Common Mistake #1: Do not toss your Silk Fabric/ Garment into the dryer as this will cause shrinkage.

Common Mistake #2: When removing excess moisture from your Silk fabric with a towel, do not rub the fabric excessively. Instead, fold the tower over and tap press gently over it.

Common Mistake #3: Do not expose your Silk fabric in direct sunlight as this will cause the colour to fade. Instead, hang dry the Silk fabric on a hanger or a drying rack in a sheltered area.

 

 Towel Dry Silk  Hang Dry Silk

 

How to Iron Silk Fabric?

It can be nerve wracking when it comes to ironing delicates after it is dried from the wash. It is common mistake to put too much heat on the iron resulting in damage of your Silk fabric. The following section discusses and guides you on how to properly iron Silk fabrics.

 

Tip #1: Make sure that there are no stains on your iron's surface. Simply clean it our with water or baking soda solutions. Rust residue can cause permanent damage to Silk fabrics.

Tip #2: Set your iron to the lowest temperature. Alternatively, you can place another layer of fabric above your Silk to prevent heat damage.

Tip #3: If you have a steam iron, do not overdo the steam. Excess steam can cause water stains on the fabric. If you do not own a steam iron, keep the iron moving to prevent heat damage.

 

Ironing Silk

 

Once you are done ironing, hang your Silk fabric up with a hanger or lay it flat.

Steamers works great for Silk fabrics too. However, do note to distance the nozzle slightly away from your Silk fabric as steamers tend to have water leakage. Do also remember to check the nozzle for any stains before ironing your Silk fabrics.

 

How to Store Silk Fabric?

Having been washed and ironed, your Silk fabric is ready to be stored away for later use. These tips can help you store your silk fabrics better to prolong their lifespan.

 

Tip #1: Silk fabrics will discolour when exposed under light for a prolonged period. Make sure to store your Silk fabric in a dry and dark space.

Tip #2: If possible, place charcoal packs or dehumidifier gels to absorb moisture in the air.

Tip #3: Store your Silk fabric in a breathable bag for it to keep its shape. Do not seal your Silk fabrics in plastic bags.

 

 

Silk is a beautiful and lustrous fabric and it is worth taking measures to care for. It is not the only delicate fabric in the world of textiles that requires special attention. Consider this a worthy investment, where the better you care for it, the longer it will last, and the lesser money you'd spend on to purchase more.

We hope that we managed to answer all the questions asked by many and also gave you a good insight to how you can care for Silk fabrics at the comfort of your own home.

 

If you're interested to know what you can make out of silk fabrics, click here to read more.

Do tag us on Instagram as we would love to see your creations with the many beautiful silk fabrics we have in our store.
 
Unsure about purchasing fabrics when you've never felt them before? Not to worry! We offer a Sample Swatch Service, delivered straight to your doorstep.
Click here for more information.
Alternatively, if you'd like to drop by our warehouse and have a personal feel of our fabrics, do make an appointment with us at support@thefabricmarketplace.com
 
Till next time!
Stay Safe and Happy Sewing!

 

 

 

 

 

Image References:

Article Image: Photo by medium photoclub from Pexels

Silk fabric 2: https://etsy.me/3tL9DpH

Hand wash fabric: https://bit.ly/3nAvGi1

Machine wash fabric: https://bit.ly/3tSrxXA

Towel Dry Silk: https://bit.ly/3nImyb7

Hang Dry Silk: https://bit.ly/3lUtYFR

Ironing Silk: https://bit.ly/3Exbzaf

 

 

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