Silk Wash & Care

HAND WASH: Hand washing is the best way to wash most silk garments that are simply constructed. Silks should be hand washed in lukewarm water. We recommend that you use a large, clean container, such as a small water basin, a little pail, a large bowl, or a clean sink. Always use a mild, soapy detergent meant for fine washables, such as silk and wool, that does not contain bleach. For added protection against color loss, add up to three tablespoons of white vinegar for every two quarts of water. This vinegar and water blend will often rejuvenate colors that have paled or yellowed, as well as add luster and softness back to the silk. In any case, do not use or add any type of bleach. Wash and rub your silk garment gently in the soapy mix for 2-3 minutes; then let the garment soak for 3-5 minutes. Do not wring or twist your silk garment while it is in the water, as silk gets weaker when wet, and the garment may lose shape. And do not soak silk in water for long periods of time, since this may cause eventual fading of the color.

RINSE: Once the soaking is completed, you are ready to rinse the garment. Rinse and squeeze your silk garment gently but thoroughly in fresh, running cold or cool water. Remember not to wring or twist the garment harshly. Rinse thoroughly till all the soap and soapiness is gone. This should take 2 to 4 minutes.

DRY QUICKLY: Silk dries very quickly. So after you have finished rinsing, wrap the length of your silk garment in a large thick towel to and squeeze the towel gently to remove any excess water from the garment. At this point, the garment is ready to be ironed while it is still damp or slightly wet. Never let the silk garment dry completely. If the garment is dry or has dried, it is best to use a water spritzer or mister to dampen or lightly wet the silk before ironing. Be sure not to use the hot steam from the steam iron to dampen the silk. The steam from the hot iron can create marks and other problems. Also never use a machine dryer or drying machine to dry any silk since the excess heat this can ruin your garment.

IRON IMMEDIATELY: This is also the best way to remove wrinkles. You will need a good quality hand iron. A silk garment is ready for ironing soon after it is washed, while it is still slightly moist. It is best to iron silk while it is damp and on the reverse side. If the silk is dry, use a water mister or spritzer to moisten your silk garment. Set the iron to just below the hottest level. Before ironing the garment, place a thin cloth, like a cotton handkerchief, on top of the area that you are ironing, as a buffer, so as to prevent the hot iron from soiling or spotting your silk garment.

MACHINE WASHING SILK: Most silk garments and scarves can be safely machine washed at home. You will need to first invest in a Silk Washer by Royal Silk. Once you realize how useful the Silk Washer can be, you may decide to get more than one. We recommend the Silk Washer for: boxer shorts, lingerie, legwear, scarves, sweaters, blouses, and other delicate apparel and accessories. We sell the Silk Washer in two sizes: the smaller size sells for $7.50 and the larger one for $9.00. The small size is suitable for a single large garment or several small garments or scarves. The larger size will accommodate several larger garments or more smaller ones. You will also need a mild, soapy detergent meant for fine washables, such as silk and wool; this can be readily purchased in most convenience stores.

With the use of a Silk Washer, you will be able to set your washing machine on the short delicate cycle, and get started right away. The instructions on how to use the Silk Washer are relatively simple and clearly printed on the washer bag. The Silk Washer is made in the U.S.A. for Royal Silk using advanced micro fabric technology and a patented lock.

As soon as machine washing is over, once the delicate wash cycle is complete, your silk garment or garments are ready to be ironed. Please refer to the instructions above on the best way to iron silk clothing.

Here is the link to the SILK WASHER: https://www.royalsilkusa.com/washer-bag.html

CAUTION: Do not use a machine dryer or a drying machine to dry your silks. The dry, intense heat can be harmful to your silk garments.

OTHER QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact us by email or phone.