How to Wash a Silk Dress?

Silk is the second most popular summer material (after linen, of course). It drapes well, holds its shape, and fits perfectly on any figure. Just like linen, this fabric can cool the skin, which is important in the heat. In a cool summer evening, silk will keep the body warm, preventing hypothermia. That is why we recommend you buy at least one silk option. For example, a feminine combination dress or a silk suit. But a quality piece of silk is not a cheap purchase, so it's worth taking care of it responsibly. One simple way to care for the environment is to buy fewer new clothes, choose only quality things, and make them last as long as possible. And the wrong wash or spin cycle can ruin your new shirt or top literally after the first wear. We tell you what rules you should follow to prolong the life of your silk dress.

Silk dresses are best washed by hand rather than in a washing machine. This way, you will not destroy the fibers of the material. This fabric has the property of shrinking, so things made of silk can change their structure and quickly lose their shape. Wash it delicately, at a minimum temperature, and with a special gel. Avoid hot water to keep the shape and color! If there is heavy soiling, it is better to soak the stain first. Squeeze the silk by hand: you can hang it on the shoulders in the bathroom to let the excess water run off, and then take it to the room or to the balcony. And if you have the opportunity to give things made of silk to the dry cleaner - give preference to this option of care for dresses.

Some silk can be machine-washed but with care. However, if possible, choose gentle hand washing over machine washing for silk fabrics. Although machine washing these garments in a mesh bag with a gentle wash cycle is generally effective, garments treated in this way repeatedly will almost certainly have more wear and tear than those that have been gently hand-washed.

Silk garments with several bright colors or vibrant patterns are often better cleaned at a professional dry cleaner, where special chemicals are used to prevent the colors from clumping together. Dark colors sometimes bleed when washed in water and may be better suited for dry cleaning. But for light, solid-colored silk garments, gentle washing at home is just as good as dry cleaning.

Silk is a delicate fabric that can be easily damaged in the washing machine, so it is important to always start with a mesh bag or pillowcase tied securely at the open end. Turn an item of clothing inside out and place it in the bag before washing. When washing, never wring or twisting silk fabric as fragile silk fibers may tear. Follow the steps below.

Load the silk mesh bag into the washing machine. Select the delicate wash mode with cold water. Use mild detergents specially formulated for silk or delicate garments, or choose a baby shampoo for another delicate option. Do not use any kind of bleach for silk. Even diluted chlorine bleach solutions will cause irreversible yellowing, color loss, and fraying of silk.

Remove the garment immediately after the wash cycle and towel dry before air drying. Do not dry silk garments in a drying machine (even on low heat) or in direct sunlight. If the garment does not fit snugly on the hanger, dry it flat or with good support on the dryer so that it does not stretch.

The fibers of this fabric are very close in structure to human hair. The optimal washing agent will be ordinary shampoo. It is also allowed to use baby soap.

Silk fabric does not tolerate high temperatures, so the water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.

In warm water dissolve a small amount of shampoo and whip a thick foam. Silk fibers do not swell, so the fabric does not need preliminary soaking. Having placed the thing in the soap solution, immediately proceed to washing.

Do not rub the material intensively. Its smooth structure allows you to quickly wash off dirt from the surface without resorting to mechanical impact. The fabric is washed, slightly squeezing and releasing.

At the end of washing things are moved into a basin with clean water and gently rinse. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times, gradually reducing the temperature of the water. If you do this sharply, the silk will lose elasticity. The last rinse is carried out in cold water with the addition of conditioner.

The washed thing can not be pressed in the usual sense of the word. The fabric is spread out on a terry towel, twist it into a roll, removing excess liquid.

Silk is dried by spreading it on a horizontal surface or hanging it on shoulders. In no case can not use clothespins to fix the fabric on the rope: there will be creases, which can not be further smoothed.

When the fabric is still slightly damp, remove and iron from the wrong side. If you moisturize the dried-out fabric with a spray gun, it will leave stains on it. In this case, the material is completely immersed in water, then wrung out and dried to the desired state.

Heavy soiling on silk is removed before the main treatment. Since exposure to aggressive substances damages the fibers, a stain remover for delicate fabrics is used.

Contamination can be removed with the help of improvised means. Vinegar removes yellow traces from sweat and deodorant. To do this, 0.5 cup of vinegar is added to 5 liters of water, and soak the silk for 15 minutes.

Such a procedure not only removes impurities but also makes the colored fabric brighter. Acid fixes the dye, and it is not washed out in the subsequent washing.

Our alcohol gets rid of traces of tea, coffee, and grease stains. Ammonia is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1 and wipe the contaminated area.

Traces of fruit and alcohol remove glycerin. It is poured on the stain and left for 30 minutes. After that, the item is washed in the usual mode.

Remember that before using any product, it is necessary to test it on a small area of fabric.

To permanently preserve the beauty of dresses, blouses, and other clothes made of silk, you need to know the peculiarities of care for them.

Wash linen is better in manual mode, using baby soap. At the first rinse add a little hair conditioner to the water. This makes the fabric softer and more delicate. White sets before washing soak for 15 minutes in a decoction of oatmeal flakes. For 1 liter of water add 1 tablespoon of Hercules, boil, and strain. Linen is put in the already cooled composition.

Things made of artificial silk are not badly tolerated by machine washing at 40 degrees. In the powder receptor together with the main agent add 2-3 tablespoons of ammonia alcohol, so that the fabric does not become stiff. If a spin is applied, its speed should not exceed 400 revolutions.

Blouses and shirts are washed in a special bag, having previously unbuttoned all the buttons. It is not necessary to write such things. After washing, they are put in the sink to drain the water, then hang on the shoulders for final drying.

Wash silk scarves, especially those covered with paint, it is better with the addition of vinegar to preserve the color. To wash a scarf with strong impurities, it is soaked in potato water. To do this, 1 kg of tubers are boiled in 2 liters of water. After cooling, strain and immerse the scarf in the resulting liquid for 30 minutes.

In the composition add 1-2 tablespoons of medical alcohol, stir, and leave for another 10 minutes. Then the material is rinsed and dried.

Silk blankets rarely require washing. Stains are treated locally, and to give freshness hang the blanket in the open air. If necessary, the blanket can be washed in the machine at a temperature of 30 degrees. Pressing is not included in this case. The cloth should drain naturally.

Twisting a wet silk fabric means breaking the fragile fibers of the material. It is better to leave the product on a hanger with soft shoulders: this way the water will drain naturally and the fibers will not tear. Other killers of silk - are batteries, hair dryers, and direct sunlight. To prevent water from dripping off the garment and forming a puddle on the floor, wrap the item in a terry towel, press it lightly, and spread it out on a horizontal surface.

Before ironing silk, it is important to maintain a balance of moisture. Start smoothing a very wet fabric - on your favorite blouse will appear a metallic glow, dry - there is a risk of deformation, and wetting in the process can not - there will be spots. But if a little underdried thing turns out and is put on top of the gauze, the iron at a minimum temperature (70 degrees) will cope with its task. Pay attention to the recommendations on the tag: check that the iron is not crossed out, or use a steamer.

The four words that silk is afraid of are sun, moisture, creases, and moths. And therefore you should not clamp the thing in the closet on the shelf or wrap it in polyethylene. “Breathable” covers and a dark room with fresh air will keep the fabric from mold, yellow tint, and creases. It is better to protect against moths without aerosols and other chemicals - lavender bags will help.