Caring for silk: washing, ironing, storage

Pure silk is a durable material, but it is cared for differently from cotton. The steps below keep the colour and lustre of scarves, shawls and silk panels intact for years.

Washing

• Dry cleaning is the safest route, and the one we recommend for patterned and hand-painted pieces.
• If you wash at home: water below 30 °C, a neutral silk detergent, 3–5 minutes. Never add salt, soda or bleach.
• Do not rub or wring — it breaks the fibre. Squeeze gently while submerged and release.
• Test colourfastness first by pressing a damp white cloth against a hidden part of the hem.

Drying

• Press the water out between dry towels rather than using a tumble dryer.
• Dry flat, in the shade. Direct sun fades the dye; a radiator makes the fibre brittle.
• Hanging adds weight and stretches the piece — especially large squares.

Ironing

• Set the iron to silk (low heat) and press on the reverse side.
• Use a damp cotton cloth instead of the steam function — a water droplet can leave a mark.
• Do not iron hand-painted panels; let creases fall out by hanging them or with ambient humidity.

Storage

• For long storage, roll rather than fold — a fold line eventually becomes permanent.
• Use a cotton bag or the original box, not a plastic sleeve: silk needs to breathe.
• Keep perfume, deodorant and hairspray away; alcohol weakens the dye.
• Choose cedar or a lavender sachet over mothballs.

Dealing with stains

• Blot immediately with a dry tissue — press, never rub.
• For an oil mark, dust with talc, wait an hour, then lift it off with a soft brush.
• With wine or coffee, going straight to a dry cleaner is less risky than testing home remedies.

Silk panels and wall pieces

• Do not hang a panel on a wall in direct sunlight — silk dye is light-sensitive.
• Remove dust with a dry, soft brush; a damp cloth can leave a watermark.
• Long exposure to a humid room (bathroom, kitchen) weakens the fibre.

Followed consistently, these steps let a silk piece hold its shape and colour for decades — which is precisely why silk is treated as a material passed between generations.