Silk is undoubtedly one of the most versatile fabrics in the world. This fabric is widely used in designing sarees, suits, salwars, and also even nightwear. Silk has always been associated with elegance, luxury, and comfort. This fabric is also known for its durability, you might have noticed your mom or relatives preserving the sarees from their marriages or sometimes even from previous generations. However, in order to preserve the quality of the fabric and keep it in pristine condition, there are various steps and precautionary measures. In this blog, let us discuss how to care for silk fabric to keep it in pristine condition. This blog is your ultimate guide to preserving your fabrics for the long run.
To preserve anything, two things play a key role, the way we store it and the way we maintain it. Please note that silk fabric also has various types and each has its own unique properties. Please read the label carefully before cleaning the fabric for instructions.
1. Read the label
One of the first and most important things to do before washing or storing the silk fabric is to read its label carefully. Since there are different types of silk fabrics with different properties, the label recommends whether the product is to be dry cleaned, hand washed, or machine washed.
2. Prefer handwash
Silk is a delicate fabric, if the label mentions hand washing in cool water, make sure you only use cold water, as it can damage the internal fibres.
Pro tip: Collect all your silk clothing put them in a basin filled with water and soak them in gentle detergent-soaked water. Now gently move the wash the fabric with your hands for a few minutes.
3. Use a mesh bag for machine washing
If your silk fabric product label indicates that it is safe to wash the fabric in a washing machine. We recommend you put all the silk fabrics inside a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging and wrinkles. Always use gentle wash mode with cold water in your washing machine for optimal wash.
4. Dry silk indoors
Once the fabric is cleaned, we recommend you not to dry them in direct sunlight. Silk fabric is sensitive to sunlight, especially when it’s wet, it can lose its colour and damage the internal layers of fabric reducing its life span. Always dry all of your silk clothing in a shaded spot. Keep the fabric away from heaters or hot surfaces.
5. Iron carefully
Silk is very sensitive to heat, always make sure to iron the fabric at the lowest possible setting. Also, ensure that the fabric is slightly wet to prevent it from scorching. We recommend steam iron in case of minor wrinkles.
6. Deal with stains immediately
In case of any spills or stains, do not neglect or postpone. Immediately, blot the stain gently with a soft cloth to absorb the excess stain fluid. For minor stains use a small amount of detergent and gently dab at the stain, for more stubborn stains contact professional cleaning services.
7. Store properly
Now that you have understood all the ways to maintain your silk garments, let us discuss the ways to store the fabric safely.
- Always remember to store the silk garments in a cool and dry place using padded hangers to avoid wrinkles and stretching.
- If you are planning on storing them for long periods, we recommend you place them in a breathable bag and wrap the bag inside acid-free tissue paper.
- Make sure to avoid plastic bags as they may enclose mild dew or result in yellowing when stored for long periods.
- Humidity is one of the worst enemies of silk when storing, so store the fabrics in areas with less humidity as excessive moisture can damage the fabric.
Conclusion
Silk fabric can be precious, maybe you have bought it for yourself with love, or you are gifted, whatever might be the reason, preserving clothes is precious for many. This blog helps you understand the various properties of silk and gives you multiple tips to preserve its life. These steps are sure to help you maintain the luxurious feel and appearance of silk fabric for years to come.