Sensitive fabric: how to properly wash and iron silk
For many centuries, this exquisite material was used only by the rich and influential. Originally from China, silk came to Europe as a luxury item. Silk thread is one of the best natural fibers in the world, obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm. A very laborious and complex process. For this reason, you need to be careful when caring for silk clothing, informs Ukr.Media.
It is important not only to wash silk correctly, but also to treat it well when wearing it.
These three tips will extend the life of your silk clothing:
- Protect silk from perfume and deodorant – unsightly stains and discoloration may appear;
- The fabric should be protected from strong sunlight – the color and shine will suffer;
- Do not remove stains with water one at a time – this will create water stains that will be difficult to get rid of later.
Wash silk fabric correctly
Although silk is one of the most delicate fabrics, it is necessary to wash the precious fabric from time to time. The safest way is to wash it by hand. To do this, fill a basin with warm water with a temperature of 20°C to 30°C and add a special silk detergent or mild soap. Light silk can be soaked for 3-5 minutes. Dark silk or silk with a pattern is best washed in cold water.
Some silk fabrics can withstand gentle machine wash, but do not spin or tumble dry. Some silk fabrics are so delicate that they should only be dry cleaned. If you are unsure, check the care label.
Attention: under no circumstances should you wring out silk after washing! The shape can be destroyed very quickly when wet. After hand washing, rinse the silk in cold water. Then add a teaspoon of wine vinegar to the cold water, it will also remove the last traces of soap from the fabric.
After rinsing, lay the silk on a dry towel and gently squeeze out the water. Never hang to dry – this will distort the delicate fibers. Ideally, after washing, silk should be dried horizontally, and not in direct sunlight.
Tips to remember when ironing silk
Silk is best ironed when slightly damp. But be careful: do not spray the silk with water while ironing!
Always iron silk from the inside out. This provides better surface protection and preserves the silk's shine.
To avoid damaging the silk, place a light-colored cotton cloth on the ironing board and between the silk part and the iron.
If your silk dress is slightly wrinkled after a trip, it is often enough to hang it on a hanger in the bathroom and turn on the hot water for a few minutes. The humidity in the air will smooth out the silk.
Джерело: Source
