Silk is a type of fabric made from natural fibers derived from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori. Each cocoon consists of a single thread that is about 1300 meters long. This single thread is too fragile so 8 threads are twisted together to form a sturdy yarn that can be used for weaving the fabric.

Fabrics made of natural silk are known for their softness, luster and insulating properties. They are highly priced because production is very laborious. It takes approximately 650 silkworm cocoons and 100 labor hours to produce sufficient silk fabric to make one blouse. Apart from garments, silk fabric is used to make other luxury items such as bedding, pajamas, and furniture upholstery.

A common misconception about silk is that it is difficult to travel with, although this couldn’t be further from the truth. Silk not only feels good on your skin, but it is also one of the lightest fabrics around. The fabric’s light nature won’t weigh down your luggage or weigh down your body when you wear it. Its smooth texture is also the reason why people like to pack silk for travel too, in order to get a more comfortable night’s rest at their Airbnb or hotel. As a general rule, the lighter the fabric is, the quicker it will dry. Silk dries exceptionally fast, mostly because of its breathable nature. It’s never ideal to have to wait for a piece of clothing to dry when you’re in a rush to get to a morning meeting. Silk will dry easily overnight if you hand wash it before going to bed.

Silk is a delicate fabric, here are some tips on how to pack and care for silk fabric while traveling.

When packing, pls store your silk separately in garment bags. Not only does this keep your suitcase organized but it prevents anything from catching on the material. Keep the silk piece neatly folded or rolled (a savvy storage-saving technique if your suitcase is on the fuller side!).

Upon arrival, get rid of any unwanted creasing in the garment by simply airing it out in a steamy room. Your hotel shower is perfect for this, just hang it in the bathroom as you take your shower and the steam will encourage any creases to drop out of the fabric. No need to battle dodgy hotel irons and risk burning or marking your clothes, this little hack will bring your silk garment back to life gently and effectively.

To use the wash, you can find our best handwashing advice here which is simple enough to do in your bathroom basin. Once you have washed the garment lay it flat on a towel in a well-ventilated area of your hotel room, away from direct sunlight. Silk’s lightweight nature means that it dries ultra fast, so your freshly washed garments will be ready to wear again within no time.

After reading this article, hope you have learned how to take care of silk while traveling, Wish you have a good trip.