The main rules of silk care
Silk is 100% natural biofibre made from proteins. In order to preserve unique properties of natural fibre, its durability and exceptional beauty, basic care instructions for silk garments (bedding, clothes) must be followed.
- Silk is a protein, its composition is very close to human skin’s epidermis, therefore silk like a human skin does not tolerate hot water and alkalinity that usual detergents have. Most silk garments might be hand washed or machine washed at 30ºC by using detergents for ONLY silk on “Silk” or “Delicates” cycles. When rinsing silk garments in a cold water, during the final rinse add 9% strength vinegar (5 spoons to 10 litres of water). By doing that you will remove bits of alkalinity that are especially harmful to fabric.
- Do not bleach silk, using chlorine or any other bleach – it makes silk yellow and speeds up its deterioration.
- Do not use fabric softeners.
- Although silk beddings are dyed with only quality and environment friendly dyes, it is recommended to wash fabrics with similar colour.
- Do not shake wet fabric and do not dry it in a tumble dryer.
- Do not dry silk in direct sunlight.
- Iron inside out, use an iron setting “Silk” (not more than 200 degrees). Try not press iron on a silk product for longer than 5 sec, by doing that you will avoid harming the fabric.
- Remember, silk fibre is weakened by sweat, deodorant or direct sunlight. Silk fibre is damaged by cosmetics containing alcohol (perfume, hair spray, etc.).
- Silk that is worn next to the skin should be washed frequently. The chloride salts and acids of perspiration should not be left on fibres for a long time, they weaken and rot the silk.
- Most silk garments can be chemically wet or dry cleaned. We do not recommend doing that, since traces of chemicals may not only harm fabric, but also arouse allergenic reactions. In order to preserve the hypoallergenic properties of silk, it is important to make sure that after cleaning no traces of chemicals are left in the fibre.
Special care instructions for silk products
Silk duvets and pillows:
- Silk duvets and pillows must be always used with a removable duvet or pillow cover.
- Never shake them strongly as this might displace the hand layered silk floss inside the duvet.
- If necessary, silk duvets and pillows may be chemically cleaned, however, it is important to remember that chemicals may stiffen the silk filaments that will result in duvet or pillow loosing its pliability. Remember that traces of chemicals may not only harm fabric, but also arouse allergenic reactions. In order to preserve the hypoallergenic properties of silk, it is important to make sure that after cleaning no traces of chemicals are left in the silk stuffing.
- Do not wash. The traditional way to clean silk duvets and pillows is to air them on a sunny day in the shade, 2-3 times per year.
- Spillages could be treated by wiping the affected area with a clean white damp cloth, or delicate hand washing of stains using soap and warm water. Dry the duvet fully spread out.
- Protect against moths.