SILK: SPECIAL FABRIC NEEDS SPECIAL CARE
HYG-5500-86
Norma Pitts,
Extension Specialist, Clothing
Judith K. Wessel,
Extension Specialist, Management and Equipment
Silk garments have grown in popularity and are available at many price
levels. Whatever the cost, fabrics made from silk fiber demand special care.
Consumers should understand silk's characteristics and use and care
recommendations to maintain and extend the life of silk garments and
accessories.
Silk is a strong fiber but can be weakened by perspiration, deodorants
and sunlight. Silk is absorbent so it dyes easily, but some dye colors tend
to bleed and fade in water and during stain removal procedures. According to
dry cleaners, red, green, blue and purple dyes are especially prone to
problems. Sunlight will fade silk items and turn white silk garments yellow.
To prolong the beauty and life of silk garments, follow these guidelines
in use and care.
Use care in dressing and grooming to avoid staining silk items. Silk
fabric is easily damaged by alcohol-based products such as hair spray and
perfumes, and chemical products such as nail polish remover. Apply perfume
and hair spray before putting on a silk garment as the mist from such
products may cause stains.
Once dressed, cover the garment with a towel before applying hair spray.
Do not polish nails while wearing a silk garment as nail polish can remove
color, damaging the fabric permanently.
Some silk garments must be dry cleaned; others can be handwashed. Whether
the garment is washable or dry cleanable depends on the dye, finish, garment
style and construction. Always follow the care instructions on the permanent
care label in the garment.
Do not overwear a silk garment before cleaning it. Wash or dry clean soon
after garment becomes soiled.
Use garment shields to prevent permanent stains from perspiration.
Chloride salts found in perspiration and deodorants can weaken silk fibers
and, depending on the fabric construction, cause splitting at the underarms
as well as staining. Perspiration can damage certain dyes.
If you spill something on your silk garment, don't put water on
the spotted area. Water may set the stain or cause a permanent ring. Take
the item -even a washable silk item - to a dry cleaner as soon as possible.
Tell the cleaner what you spilled, where the stain is and how long it has
been there. These factors are important because the stain's type and age
determine garment handling and spotting procedures.
Handle washable items with extra care, noting instructions on the care
label. Wash only unstained garments, and consider the following guidelines.
Care Tips for Washable Silk
- Use a mild soap and cool or warm water. Strong alkaline detergents
weaken silk.
- Wash each garment separately as dyes may bleed.
- Handle silk garments gently. Don't wring or twist the garment because
silk is weaker when wet. After thorough rinsing, roll the item in a clean
bath towel to remove excess moisture.
- Don't use presoak products or chlorine bleach; both will damage silk.
- Air dry the garment away from sunlight until damp dry. Use a padded or
plastic hanger to distribute the weight of the wet garment.
- While damp, press the silk item from the wrong side with a dry iron at
a warm (silk) setting. A steam iron at a low setting may be used, being
sure the iron doesn't "spit," which would cause water spots. Iron the
fabric dry. Use a press cloth when doing touchups on the right side of the
garment.
Silk is special. The care you give your silk garments will repay you in
prolonged garment life.
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