When it comes to washing delicate items of clothing such as silk or wool, there are some specific steps you should follow to avoid damaging the fabric and help to keep your silk lovely and soft.
Essential Advice For Washing Silk
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- Before washing any silk or delicate item, always be sure to check the washing instructions on the garment’s fabric care label. This will let you know exactly how the item should be cared for and washed.
- Never tumble dry silk, the high temperatures will damage and shrink your silk item due to the high temperatures and silk’s delicate nature.
- Don’t was using chlorine bleach as this can ruin your clothing’s natural fibers.
- Don’t leave to dry in direct sunlight. Silk can cause your silk fabric to fade in color and damage the look and feel of the material.
- Do a colorfast test to check if your silk will bleed. Dab with a wet, white cloth and see if any color leaks onto it.
- Use a washing detergent that is suitable for delicate items as these are usually designed specifically for silk use.
How to Wash Silk in Your Washing Machine
Although you may have heard otherwise, you can actually wash silk in your washing machine if you follow these crucial steps.
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- Always follow instructions for washing silk items in a washing machine.
- Place your silk item in a protective mesh bag to prevent it from getting tangled or caught on any other items in the washing machine.
- Add your delicate detergent or silk wash.
- Start your machine on the correct, delicate cycle. Try and opt for the shortest spin cycle and always use the suggested temperature on your garment’s fabric care label.
- Once your item is washed, take it out of the machine and use a towel to soak up any excess moisture.
- Hang your item to dry or, alternatively, lay flat. Remember not to leave in direct sunlight.
