Care of Silks
It is only natural for silks to have some irregularities; this is the nature of 100% silk fabric. Surface variations in silk are to be expected and are desirable. Silk, after all, is a natural fiber, and variations in the weave of silk fabrics are characteristics of the fabric and are in no way to be considered defective.
If well cared for, silk garments can become heirlooms. Silk is a protein fiber like hair. For best results, professional dry cleaning is recommended.
A few NEVERS for silk:
- Never expose silk articles to strong direct sunlight; the silk will fade and weaken in strength.
- Never spray perfume or deodorant on silk. Chemicals can weaken and discolor the silk fiber.
Why washing is NOT recommended:
- A change in size may be the result – The dress may shrink in size if washed.
- A change in texture may be the result – The original look and feel of silk is altered with washing. The beautiful sheen is dulled, and the natural body and stiffness of the fabric is diminished.
- A change in colour may be the result – Bright, brilliant, and dark colours of silk will run when washed, causing blurred color results, or fading.
- A change in shape may be the result – Garments with complicated construction techniques may change in overall shape when washed. This is because all fabrics shrink at a different rate. Washing a garment that is lined, or underlined, or that has trimming applied to it can have disastrous results. Lined and underlined sections of the garment will end up being different sizes than the outer cloth and the resulting garment pieces no longer have the same shape, won’t be aligned, and won’t lie flat for pressing. The entire outfit will look askew. Trimmings, often made of rayon and acetate, shrink a lot and can cause the fabric under them to buckle.