If you have treasured silk pieces, whether blouses, dresses, nightgowns, sheets, or other items, you know how soft and beautiful silk is. However, you likely also know that silk is a very delicate fabric, and if it isn’t washed and cared for properly it may shrink, fade, or even tear. If you’ve been bringing your silk clothing and linens to the dry cleaner, you may be wondering if it’s possible to wash your silk pieces from the comfort of your home. Fortunately, you can, as long as you follow the right steps. Continue reading, and we’ll share more information to answer all of your questions about how to wash and preserve this beautiful fabric.

1. Hand wash, not machine washable!

Silk fabrics are different from pure cotton and chemical fiber fabrics, and are very delicate. Any silk fabric cannot be machine washed, it must be washed by hand when cleaning at home, and it cannot be rubbed hard

Usually use the method of washing or pressing. If there are serious stains, you can use a soft towel dipped in detergent to wipe gently, and do not scrub. Machine washing or scrubbing will damage the gloss of silk and cause whitening.

2. Neutral detergent cleaning

When cleaning silk clothes, be sure to use neutral detergent or special silk wool detergent. Avoid using soap and alkaline detergents. Alkaline is the number one killer of silk, which will cause the silk to become hard, brittle, yellow, fade and so on.

3. Wash in cold water

High water temperature is the second killer of silk fabrics, so when washing, never soak in hot water. Be sure to use cold water at room temperature and not soak it for a long time! Otherwise it will cause the silk to turn yellow or fade!

4. Clever use of white vinegar

As mentioned earlier, alkalinity is the number one killer of silk, while acidity can protect silk well. In the final cleaning, you can add a small amount of white vinegar to the water, usually a teaspoon is enough. Not only can it prevent the silk from hardening, but it can also cure dyes. Generally, silk is dyed with acid dyes, so white vinegar can make the color of clothes brighter!

5. Drying and ironing

Real silk has poor light fastness and absorbs ultraviolet rays for a long time, which will cause yellowing and hardening. Therefore, strong light must be avoided when drying, and the reverse side of the clothes should be placed in a cool and ventilated place. When it is 80% to 90% dry, take it off and iron it with a medium-low temperature iron, which can keep the luster of the clothes unchanged and durable. Avoid ironing the front side when ironing to avoid water stains.

Hopefully we’ve helped you understand that the answer to “can I wash silk” is yes if you do so carefully and correctly. Your silk items are valuable and gorgeous, and your wash routine should reflect that. Use the steps we outlined above, and you will be able to take excellent care of your silk garments right at home!