Silk things can warm you in a cool season, cool you in the heat. Thin material instantly removes moisture from the surface of the skin. Depending on the structure and type silk feels different to the touch, can easily wrinkle or be not prone to wrinkling. So, natural material rarely requires ironing, and taffeta, silk chiffon and organza are given only to dry cleaning, avoiding home experiments. Nevertheless, most products can be brought into proper form at home.
Rules for the care of silk things
- Delicate or transparent silk fabric is washed only by hand. Aggressive detergents and strong friction are unacceptable. More dense and resistant things are washed in a typewriter.
- Before washing, be sure to check the label and manufacturer's recommendations. Do not exceed the permissible washing temperature, as silk is most afraid of high temperatures. The maximum for the material is 40°C.
- To preserve color, table vinegar is used to rinse colored fabrics. Add half a cup of vinegar to the conditioner compartment.
Total wash
We figure out how to properly put silk things in order. Which is better to choose: spend time on hand washing or send the item to the machine.
Choosing a cleaning agent
The best solution is to buy a specialized silk detergent.They sell both powders and liquid shampoos, as well as conditioners and softeners specifically for silk. These products are usually labeled "Silk" or similar. If you are unable to find the appropriate powder, a mild cleaner like liquid powder for baby clothes will do.
The nuances of machine washing and program selection
Wash silk clothes on a delicate or hand wash, which is in every washing machine. More expensive models are equipped with special programs for delicate fabrics: “Silk”, “for washing silk and curtains”, “for silk and wool”. If the modes are presented solo in the machine, then the program “for curtains” is suitable for washing silk bed linen (read about the features of washing bed sets from various fabrics in our review on the correct mode and temperature of washing bed linen). "Woolen" mode is useful for washing blouses, dresses and scarves.
Sort items by color and type of fabric before loading into the drum. If there is even slight dirt on the surface, be sure to remove the stains before machine washing. Delicate items should be placed in a laundry bag.
How to wash silk by hand
Products made of 100% silk are washed only by hand and a mild detergent or specialized gel is chosen. The liquid composition is preferable, as it dissolves faster in water and begins to act on pollution. A delicate fabric should not be squeezed out at all, but a more resistant one should be shaken off and excess water slightly squeezed out.. It is impossible to twist the linen at the same time, since creases and bruises are quite difficult to remove. After a delicate and proper wash, the thing remains "obedient" and easy to iron.
How to dry and iron silk?
If you are washing the product by hand or in a machine without spinning, allow excess water to drain.Silk clothes are dried in a well-ventilated area and not hung out in the open sun. Under the influence of bright sunlight, the fabric will lose its luster and color, it will quickly dry out. Drying near a heater or radiator is also unacceptable. Jackets and dresses are left to dry on hangers. Silk, like linen (how to wash linen clothes we already wrote earlier), do not dry to the end, but remove it a little wet.
Iron linen on a horizontal surface, preferably an ironing board lined with cotton or linen. Air blouses and scarves are steamed through cotton material. All silk items are ironed only from the inside, using the minimum temperature (one or 1 asterisk on the regulator). Most modern irons are equipped with a special program for silk - a sure-fire option. If there is no such program, set the regulator to 150°C.To smooth out large wrinkles in the fabric, use moistened gauze and a hot iron.
How to wash artificial silk?
More affordable rayon is made from synthetics or cotton and viscose after pre-treatment. The artificial analogue took over from silk not only the appearance, but also problematic cleaning. This material is washed in the washing machine on a delicate program or gently by hand. A mild liquid laundry detergent is a must. Stains and dirt are reduced only with special compounds, they do not wash or rub with a brush. It is not recommended to squeeze the fabric with force so that persistent wrinkles do not form.. How to wash viscose so that it does not shrink, we considered in the previous review.
In ironing, artificial material differs from its natural counterpart. Some specimens do not tolerate even low heat, some clean only “dry”, others do not wrinkle at all. To painlessly iron artificial silk, be sure to look under the collar on the label.
Follow the elementary rules for the care of linen and the manufacturer's recommendations, and silk items will last you a long time. If you are worried, play it safe and give an expensive thing to dry cleaning.
