Handwashing silk - YouLookFab Forum

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Handwashing silk

Gigi

Veteran

I just bought this top at Madewell today. It is 100% silk. The tag says "Dry Clean" but not "Dry Clean Only," which I take to mean that I can technically handwash it. For those of you who have handwashed silk that said "Dry Clean," how were your results? Specifically, I am wondering about:

. Change in texture
. Shrinkage
. Bleeding (is it possible that the dark blue will bleed into the white pattern?)

This top was $118, so I really don't want to wreck it. But I also know that it's unlikely that I will actually dry clean it.

Thanks!

Silk Wrap-Front Top in Heart Flip

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2

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from viva

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Love that top, Gigi!

So...here's my results. I never dry clean silk tops. Never. I don't care what the label says.

I hand wash (by actual hand) or machine wash in a lingerie bag and only if you have a hand wash or gentle setting in a non agitating machine. With Woolite or similar (gentle soap). In cold water. With like colours.

Hang to dry.

Iron on the steam setting.

Your item may look as if it is shrunken or not quite the same texture after the air dry. (The lighter weight or lower quality the silk, the more likely this is to be the case). But after ironing, it will look good as new.

I have never experienced colour bleeding or any other issue like that -- again, cold water, like colours in the wash.

These are examples of tops and dresses that I have treated this way and I have never had a problem. Different quality levels and cost, but still no problem.

I love wearing silk in all seasons. And yes, it does take a bit more loving care, but in my opinion it is worth it.

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4

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4

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12

Wilfred cyprès blouse

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14

Sleeveless drapey top in cove floral

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8

Combined Silk Top

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7

Silk cat-print blouse

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8

Combined Silk Top

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5

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The Silk Short-Sleeve Square Shirt

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5

The Silk Sleeveless Square Shirt

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3

Equipment 'Adriana' Silk Shirt

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14

Vince Double Layer Shirtdress

$395.00 $157.97

Sale

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29

Norra Silk Dress

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15

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks, Suz! I am no stranger to handwashing, so I don't mind the extra work.

It's nice to know that the ironing will restore the item's texture to like-new. Is it best to iron when the item is still somewhat damp? Or does using the steam setting allow you to iron the completely dry garment?

Greyscale

Veteran

I almost always wash my silk by hand or on delicate in the machine, rather than dry cleaning. It's been fine in general. I have an inexpensive silk shirt from Banana Republic that has lasted through years of machine washing. And heavy silk holds up to washing really well.

But I should say that I have two identical Uniqlo silk shirts. Fairly lightweight silk. One is kept dry clean only for important events, and I wash the other. The one I wash has shrunk noticeably, though I can still wear it no problem. So... I won't say it's a 100% safe bet. But it's nice that I don't have to treat it as something special, anyway.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Echoing the above—I wash my silk shirts in laundry bags on the delicate setting and hang to dry. They’re still in great shape after years of wear.

Sisi

Veteran

All what Suz said. In addition: if you hand wash, wash quickly - do not let it soak. Soaking is dangerous if you suspect that a garment could bleed. After rinsing and gently squeezing, wrap into a terry towel to remove the excess water. Iron on the reverse. I prefer to iron damp with normal iron. Then hang on a hanger in an airy place to let it dry well. Very pretty top!

bella

(website)

Veteran

Yes to everything Sisi said. No dry cleaning for me either. I've used this method forever and never had problems.

Kathie

Veteran

The only thing I’d add is that I do dry clean stiffer, taffeta weave silk. But, the drapier blouses like the one’s in Suz’s finds- I’ve handwashed similar silk items for years with good results.

LaPed

Veteran

I wash silk by hand, but all of my silk right now is dark solid colours. I would be a bit concerned about bleeding/dye transfer with a print, as I have one navy blue silk top that is not colourfast. Every time I launder it, the water turns deep blue, much like when washing brand new denim, yet the top hasn't faded noticeably. Every time I wash it, I'm amazed it's still releasing dye.

Barbara

I hand wash all my silk blouses in cold water. I wash them in baby shampoo which has no scent and is always easy to find in the stores, unlike some of the detergents made specially for delicate fabrics. All my silks are prints and I have never had a problem with colour bleeding.

Scarlet

Veteran

I didn't read all of the the comments, but I did want to say that I have had BAD experience ironing silk before it is completely dry. It made the colors run.

I hand wash like Suz describes and hang to dry. I touch up with a iron just under the steam setting because I fear the color running. I have a silk blouse from Madewell bought in the last year that is black with white stars on it. It has done well for me.

Silk Star Scatter Tie-Sleeve Top

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JAileen

Veteran

I had a silk blouse that I washed by hand and hung to dry. It was very stiff until I ironed it, then it was gorgeous again.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I always wait until the item is completely dry. I know with cotton it's sometimes good to go with damp (my mother used to put stuff in the freezer and iron it straight out of there!) but I use a low steam setting on a dry item with silk.

olga

From my experience, what Suz said.
I dry clean only jackets and coats.

Gigi

Veteran

This is so helpful...it looks like the odds are extremely good that handwashing this item and ironing it should work just fine. Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences.

viva

Veteran

I realized from this thread that I am either lazy or too precious with my clothing because I always dry clean my (very few) silk tops. So thank you for encouraging me to hand wash more, and thank you for the baby shampoo tip, Barbara!

Also, Suz, why on earth did I get rid of that JCrew cat blouse? I miss it!!