Sometimes we see these infomercials and really hope that “magic cleaner” works, or any well know as seen on television product. We try numerous of different things that can keep our hand painted silk clean or any great and valuable fabric clean for that matter. It becomes a hassle trying to find different products and searching the internet with for different solutions and creams but the very truth about cleaning silk or any other delicate fabric is within your hands literally.
As time goes on we begin to look natural remedies to clear things such as the common spot on our clothes such as the spaghetti stain or the hot sauce stain or the smudge of concealer that seems to keep rubbing off. You could buy new make-up or avoid certain foods but silk can be cleaned just a simply as the spot got there. Although silk is a delicate fabric it is easy to clean and maintain for years and years to come.
Don’t For your Silk
1) Silk is a natural protein fiber that doesn’t require bleach. Bleach will only damage the fabric, be aware of this fact even if the silk shawl or scarf or shirt is white.
2) Don’t dry your silk scarf or shawl in direct sunlight. If your hand painted silk is dried in direct sunlight the color will fade. Your pattern won’t last for long. If wet then placed in the sunlight for long periods of time could damage your silk.
3) Do not apply any substance containing alcohol to your silk. It can become damage. Another tip is to let your perfume and hairspray dry before your put on you silk shawl or scarf.
How to clean you silk
- Hand washing you silk is the best option to get your silk at its best and to keep it from becoming damage. Most silk fabric can be hand washed and will not shrink.
- Use lukewarm water and using a mild soap such as baby shampoo, ivory soap do not use any soap containing alkaline.
- While rinsing use a few tablespoonfuls of distilled white vinegar to rinse soap residue. Optional: add a few drops of hair conditioner to the final rinse of your silk to add a more silky feel afterwards.
- If you wish to soak you silk try not to soak it more than a few minutes
- Do not wring or twist your silk shawl or scarf. To get all the excess water towel roll your silk fabric.
Machine wash
- Though some silk fabric care instructions state that it is safe to machine wash just know that hand washing is also an option. But if you wish use a mild soap like woolite or any other mild soap that doesn’t have enzymes or brighteners.
- Use the shortest spin cycle and use the delicate cycle.
Drying Your Silk
- Hang your silk to dry. The silk will keep its shape and will not harden .
- Do not hang outside as the radiation from the sun will fade out the color and damage the silk fabric
- Do not hang over a wooden dry rack as the stains and dyes may come on to the silk itself.
- Dryer is not recommended because the excessive heat toward the silk can damage the color and pattern of your painted silk and the friction from the drum roll could cause it to tear. Use the air fluff cycle if drying is a must for you.
For more ways to care for you silk visit http://womenclothingtoday.com and also fabulous ways to wear silk shawls and scarves.
Myquisha Delbridge.
Interested in Silk Scarves and Shawls, or Hand-Painted Scarves? Visit WomenClothingToday.com to browse a gorgeous collection of scarves and shawls.
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