Silk is a delicate and luxurious fabric that requires a bit of care and attention to maintain its beauty and longevity. If properly cared for, silk can retain its luster and smoothness for decades. In this guide, we will cover the best practices for washing, drying, and storing silk to keep it looking its best.
What is Fine Silk?
It’s important to note that silk is more delicate than cotton or wool and requires gentle care to maintain its softness, sheen, and shape. Silk grading refers to the process of evaluating the quality of silk based on certain criteria. These criteria can include the silk's fiber thickness, strength, and color. The resulting grade is used to help consumers determine the value and suitability of different silk products.
Italic uses pure mulberry silk, which is considered to be the highest quality silk available. It has been graded 6A, which is the top grade and indicates that it is of exceptional quality. This means that our silk is extremely soft, strong, and lustrous, making it perfect for a variety of applications.
Washing Silk
When it comes to washing silk, it's important to use a gentle detergent and lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause silk to shrink and lose its shape. It's also important to avoid using too much detergent, as this can leave residue on the fabric and cause it to lose its softness.
To wash silk, first fill a clean sink or basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of gentle detergent. Gently swish the water to create suds, and then submerge the silk in the water. Let it soak for a few minutes, and then gently agitate the water to loosen any dirt or grime.
After a few minutes of soaking, drain the water and refill the sink with clean, lukewarm water. Gently rinse the silk in the water until all of the detergent has been removed. Avoid wringing or twisting the silk, as this can cause it to stretch or lose its shape.
Drying Silk
Once your dress is no longer dripping wet, it’s time to dry it. Never put a silk dress in the dryer, as the heat can cause the fabric to shrink or become damaged. It's important to properly dry silk to prevent it from wrinkling or losing its shape.
First gently squeeze the excess water from the silk using your hands. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, as this can cause it to stretch or become misshapen.
Next, lay the silk flat on a clean, dry towel and roll it up, pressing gently to remove any remaining moisture. Unroll the towel and carefully transfer the silk to a clean, dry hanger. Avoid hanging silk in direct sunlight or near a heat source, as this can cause it to fade or become damaged.
If you don't have a hanger, you can also lay the silk flat on a clean, dry towel and use a steamer or iron set to the lowest heat setting to remove any wrinkles. Be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area of the silk first to make sure it won't scorch or become damaged.
After your dress is completely dry, it’s a good idea to iron it to restore its smoothness and shine. Use a low heat setting on your iron and avoid applying too much pressure, as this can cause the fabric to become damaged. Additionally, it’s best to iron your dress on the inside, using a pressing cloth to protect the delicate fabric.
Storing Silk
It's important to keep it away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight, as these can cause the fabric to fade or become brittle. Silk should be stored in a cool, dry place, ideally in a garment bag or other protective cover.
Avoid hanging your dress in a crowded closet or for months at a time, as this can cause it to stretch or lose its shape. Instead, fold your dress carefully and store it in a drawer or on a shelf.
Proper care for a silk garment involves spot-cleaning as needed, hand-washing with a gentle silk detergent, air drying flat, ironing on a low heat setting, and storing in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and extreme temperatures. By following these tips, you can help your Italic silk dress maintain its beauty and longevity.
