Silk can seem tricky to deal with but, once you know the basics, you’ll see that you don’t need to drive yourself crazy with worry!
First, be careful when applying any alcohol-based products such as hairspray or perfumes as this could stain your favourite silk slip, as could deodorant; ideally, spray those on, put some music on and strut around the house in the nude until you’re dry before getting dressed (don’t forget to close the curtains).
Second, always follow the care instructions on the garment care label - the directions below are just general guidelines and may not be appropriate.
Can you wash silk?
We would recommend dry cleaning as even the most gentle of hand-washing can be too rough! Silk is precious and should be treated as such.
But, if you don’t have access to a dry cleaner and you must wear your BB silk garment (say, on your next trip through the Italian Riviera), you can gently hand wash it using cold water and a gentle detergent. Don’t wring or twist the garment as this could break the fibres; just move it around in the water, rinse it to get any soap out and soak up any extra moisture by rolling up the garment in a towel before hanging up to dry in the shade.
Whatever you do, avoid heavy detergents or stain removers, don’t use bleach and never put silk in the dryer or in the sun!
Does silk shrink when washed?
Silk is a natural fibre and, depending on the way it was woven, can shrink if subjected to hot temperatures, so avoid hot water and, if possible, leave it to the professionals.
How to remove a stain on silk?
Water can stain silk as the fibres absorb the water and dry very quickly so if you do need to spot clean, don’t rub the stain with water, as it could permanently damage the fibres. Just blot the stain with a slightly damp cloth before hand washing the whole garment; if it doesn’t come off by blotting it, take it to the specialists (that would be the dry cleaners).
Can you iron silk?
Yes, you can iron silk clothing but make sure that you do so on the lowest heat setting and with the garment still slightly damp and turned inside out. We also recommend using a tea towel between the garment and the iron to avoid leaving any marks or damaging the fabric permanently.
Silk is generally better suited to steaming so you may want to try hanging up your silk dress while you have a hot shower - this will often be enough to get any pesky wrinkles out - or use a steamer if you have one on hand (but be careful that it doesn’t drip water on your clothes).
If you have any questions on mens silk clothes. We will give the professional answers to your questions.