Care and Keep: Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber made by the larva of the silk moth, Bombyx mori.  When the caterpillar is ready to change into a moth, it will produce silk thread and wrap itself in a silken cocoon.  Sadly, the little caterpillars do not survive when their cocoons are taken to be processed into silk fabric. 

 Silk was once considered a luxury fabric reserved for the wealthy, and often has “Dry Clean Only” labels attached.  Why even bother?  I certainly never bought or owned and silk until I came across some at my local thrift store and decided to try it out.  Let me tell you, it feels great on the skin.  Silk fibers are delicate and yet extremely strong; smooth and breathable. Silk shimmers because the shape of the fibers act like a prism, refracting light at different angles!  I occasionally find a few silk pieces second-hand and I ignore the “Dry Clean Only” tags (on all my clothes actually.)  People have been wearing and cleaning silk long before Dry Cleaning with chemicals was invented in 1821.  Here’s how I care for and keep my second-hand silk pieces:

I believe the “Dry Clean” label is just a standard default because it’s easier than having to explain all the cleaning instructions.  It’s often just a warning for fabrics that might shrink, fade, bleed, or otherwise be damaged in the washing machine.  Hand-washing my few silk pieces is no problem for me.  I remove underarm stains from silk with vinegar and water.  Turn the garment inside out.  Hand wash in lukewarm water with mild soap.  I use a liquid castile soap.  Rinse in cold water.  Squeeze gently to remove water, do not wring.  Hang to dry over the bathtub. Silk can be ironed while slightly damp on the lowest setting.  Hanging a wrinkly silk piece in the bathroom while you take a steamy shower is also an easy way to clean and press all at once!  Keep your silks in a cool dry, place and I recommend keeping them on a hanger, not in a drawer, to avoid wrinkles.