How to Care for Silk Garments
As simple as caring for any other clothing
It’s the big new thing: washable silk. And, we love the idea of it. Silk is strong, soft to the touch, and thermoregulating.
However, don’t get fooled. Once silk is washed, even the “washable” kind, it is never the same again. The fabric’s sheen, an essential part of silk’s allure, lessens a little bit with each wash.
Dry Clean Only
Yes, we know. Three, dirty, little words. And they are not the kind we like to hear: Dry Clean Only.
You’ve spent the money. The nightgown looks great on you. You feel amazing in it. So, why risk damaging it by machine washing it?
This is why we highly recommend that you dry clean your silk garments to keep the look and sheen of your silk intact. If taking your nightgown to an eco-friendly dry cleaner is a hassle, then we’ve got good news. There are easy DIY options at home, and they are easier than washing.
DIY Silk Cleaning
First, purchase an at-home dry cleaning kit from your local grocery store. The most popular brands are free of phosphates, perchloroethylene (PERC) and trichloroethylene, which are the chemicals used at standard dry cleaners.
The at-home kits come with a dry cleaning bag, cleaning cloths, and stain removal wipes. Just wipe away any stains, then place your nightgown and specially-formulated cleaning cloth into the dry cleaning bag. Twenty minutes in the dryer, then you hang your gown to finish releasing any wrinkles. If you have a substantial stain on your silk, we recommend taking it to a professional dry cleaner.
Alternatives to Dry Cleaning for Silk Fabrics
Dry cleaning is the gold standard for all silk fabrics, including our silk charmeuse nightgowns. But if that’s not an option for you for whatever reason, here’s what you can do to minimize the damage:
- Hand-wash with delicate laundry wash, and lay flat on a towel or hang to dry.
- Machine wash on your washing machine’s delicate setting, with your garment secured inside a lingerie bag to avoid damage. Lay flat or hang to dry.
