Silk Stains
How to deal with them
Silk…it’s beautiful and it’s delicate. But it’s also a fabric that is underestimated in it’s durability. Treat it as it deserves and it will be with you for years.
So you’ve been out for dinner with your friends and whilst telling a story with enthusiasm, you spilt your drink on your favourite silk blouse! A few dabs of water in the bathroom is all you can manage during the evening and you’ll tackle it tomorrow. Sound familiar?
Don’t despair, there is hope. A few things should be taken in to consideration when dealing with a stain:
Is it oil based (eg. makeup, dressings, food)?
Is it coloured (eg. beetroot, red wine, spinach)?
How long has it been there?
All of the above may affect how long it will take to treat a stain and there is never a guarantee it will come out. But it’s ALWAYS worth a try in my book. Hard work always pays off.
I have tried all of these routes and they have all worked to maintain my silk blouses.
Dry Cleaners - I recommend this is as the top option to keep your silk items clean and fresh. Personally, I have dealt with stains myself before taking items to the cleaners.
Steam Cleaning - I bought a hand held steam cleaner much like the Tefal DR8085 and this has been amazing. Don’t iron your silk, steam it - the same effect can be achieved by hanging in a steamy bathroom. Some light stains will also come out with steaming. Remember - don’t over-steam because it can cause the silk to shrink.
Spot Cleaning - this has removed many a stain for me on silk. Light dabbing (NEVER rub) with a soft smooth damp (not soaked) cloth to draw out as much of the stain as possible using just cool water. If you hold up to the light you can usually see if the stain is still there. If it persists, I then dab a bit of silk detergent such as Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid and spot clean again. Make sure to rinse the area with the detergent on. I will then gently dry the patch with a hair dryer (a few inches from the fabric). If a water stain has become visible, I will immerse the garment in cool water and then let it dry naturally.
Remember - this may take a few attempts so is not necessarily a quick process.
Hand Washing - If you need to re-fresh an item in it’s entirety and the dry cleaners isn’t convenient, then hand-washing is a must. It’s quick, it takes 10 minutes and you don’t have to pay anyone! Just make sure you only use cool water, luke warm at most and ALWAYS use a silk friendly detergent. Don’t get the washing powder out - I tried it once and the little blue/white bits were still hanging around when it was drying! Also, take your jewellery off, it’s a snag accident waiting to happen!
Washing Machine - Here’s my honest advice. That silk setting you have on there…it’s not suitable for a silk blouse. I know a few people now who have used their machines (albeit on the correct setting) and it has destroyed the garment. There are silk-mix items that may withstand a machine wash…maybe a sweater…but not a blouse/shirt/scarf/skirt. If you’ve done this and come out unscathed, congratulations. I just don’t recommend it ever.
I hope these tips help you and if you have any questions or feedback, please contact me at customerservices@victoriajanemckenna.com
Victoria x