Silk: Special Fabric Needs Special Care

SILK SPECIAL fabric : Education Fact Sheet from Ohio State

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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

1. Use a mild soap and cool or warm water. Strong alkaline detergents weaken silk.
2. Wash each garment separately as dyes may bleed.
3. 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.
4. Don't use presoak products or chlorine bleach; both will damage silk.
5. Air dry the garment away from sunlight until damp dry. Use a padded or plastic hanger to distribute the weight of the wet garment.
6. 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.

Why Silk Spots and Fades

Silk is a protein fiber with a smooth surface that shows everything. Water alone can leave a visible ring as sizing and surface finishes shift; perspiration attacks both dye and fiber if it is left in the garment; and sunlight degrades silk faster than almost any other apparel fiber. The fact sheet's care logic follows from those facts: treat spots promptly and test any product in a hidden place, never use chlorine bleach, and store silk away from light, clean, on padded hangers.

Wash or Dry Clean? Read the Whole Garment

Some silks are genuinely washable; others carry dyes, finishes, interfacings or trims that are not, even when the silk itself would survive. That is why the garment's care label, not the fiber name, governs — and why a washable-silk claim on one garment says nothing about the next. When washing is allowed, cool water, mild detergent, no wringing and drying away from heat and sun are the sheet's working rules.