Wash Silk at home and save on dry -cleaning bills!

Silk has existed for centuries; in fact the Silk Route was one of the oldest trade routes in the world. Modern Dry-cleaning on the other hand has existed for only for the last century or so. Then why is it that almost all Silk Garments these days carry a ‘Dry-Clean only’ label?

Why the Dry Clean Only Label?

The reasons are twofold, firstly, all garment manufacturers are required by law to include a garment care label in clothes that they sell and secondly, Silk is a delicate garment the manufacturer is much better off in you getting the Silk garment Dry-Cleaned than to damage it by trying to hand-wash the same.

However, a Rs. 2500/- dress, dry cleaned 5 times over the next 2 years will end up costing you Rs. 3000/-. It just doesn’t make any financial sense when most Silk garments, with very little care, can be hand washed at home and will last you for years.

Is Dry Cleaning worth the Hassel and the Money?

Some general points

• If you can afford to, then Dry Cleaning your Silk garments is always the safest and the best option.

• We recommend that you get any Silk garment Dry Cleaned the first two times this helps the colour to settle down and is generally a good practice.

• Bright Colour Silk Garments and those with deep colours need to be checked for colour fastness. Wet a small portion of your garment which won’t be generally seen. Hold and press this small portion between two pieces of blotting paper. If you have a lot of colour running, you are better off getting the cloth dry-cleaned. But use your judgement, it is almost impossible to get a 100% colourfast Silk garment.

• If your garment has a complicated construction, ie lot of ‘Zari’ ‘Lining’ or Stones etc. We strongly suggest that you leave those also to the Cleaners. These can get easily damaged by hand washing them.

Here is a step by step guide on how to wash Silk at home:-

• Fill the bucket with Luke warm water. (70-90F is just perfect). Remember Silk is natural protein like your hair, what’s good for your hair is good for silk and vice versa is true as well.

• Use a liquid Detergent like Eezee or Woolite, in our experience even mild shampoos work equally well.

Mild Detergent are the Best

• Soak the unfolded Silk in the bucket for not more than five mins.

• Agitate the garment by plunging it up and down. DO NOT scrub the garment with a brush or roughly rub the garment (It will permanently destroy the threads of your fabric). If you want to focus on a particular spot apply the mild detergent with a sponge or your finger.

Never soak Silk for more than Five Mins

• Once you have finished, drain the soap water and rinse the garment in cold fresh water several times till all the soap residue is washed away. To be sure smell the garment. It should not smell of soap anymore. Addind a small teaspoonful of vinegar is sure to remove any residual alkaline due to soap.

• For Extra Shine add some hairConditioner before you carry out the last rinse.

• Hang the Silk garment on a hanger to dry. Silk Should Always be dried in a shade , it is a delicate garment and doesnt take too kindly to direct sun.

• Never wring a Silk Garment it will permanently destroy the silk fibre.

Never Wring a Silk Cloth

• To remove excess water you could keepit in between two turkish towels. Though in my experience silk generally dries very quickly.

There is no doubt in my mind that Silk can be washed and maintained in house and even with a normal water wash it can be preserved in perfect condition for years to come. But do read the label before you wash your expensive clothes at home. Certain type of Silk like the Duponi Silk will get spoiled under water and cleanning those should be left to professionals. With the rest I am sure the techniqe above will just work fine. If you have a comment or any suggestions on home care of garments, pls do leave your comments, I am sure it will help all of us.

Coming up next...... How to Iron Silk