Tips On How to Care for Silk Scarves And Make Them Last

Silk is such a fine and flimsy material and one might easily assume that it is not durable at all and extremely difficult to maintain. On the contrary, though, silk scarves are pretty durable and easy to care for. Above all, they make a stunning addition to any lady’s wardrobe. Here are some tips on how to care for silk scarves and make them last. Store it properly Ensure you store your silk scarf properly. Do not leave it wrinkled somewhere in a box or in the pocket of your coat, this is especially true for a French silk scarf bought online due to the differences in final processing. This might destroy it and you will have to iron it too often (thereby exposing it to excessive heat and weakening the fabric). Get a few wide hooks in your closets (or a normal hanger) which you will be using to hang the scarf and leave the fabric to hang down freely. Make sure the line of the fabric stays in one piece. Wash it appropriately Leaving your scarf in a drier might mean that your scarf’s fabric will weaken and even start to break. Besides that, the color might wash out and at the end your scarf will look old. You can consider taking your scarf to a dry cleaner service, but keep in mind that some dry cleaners might not know how to handle it and may damage it. The best way to wash your scarf if by hand below is a brief guide on how you can go about this: Step 1: Try washing a little corner to see if the colors will run. If the color runs put a few drops of baby shampoo in warm water and soak it (leave for a few minutes). Step 2: Put the scarf under cold (running) water to remove the soap residue that will have formed all over it. Step 3: Put the scarf on a clean, dry towel. Put another dry towel on top. Rub (gently) the two towels together so you drain excess water out of the scarf. Step 4: Leave the scarf lying flat so it dries off completely. Don’t leave it under direct sunlight for too long. Step 5: If you still have a few spots to clean, just damp a small piece of cloth and try to wash spot by spot. Step 6: Iron the scarf when it is still damp, do not wait for it to dry off completely. It is easier to get rid of crinkles when the scarf is still damp than when it is still dry. Don’t keep your scarf exposed to dampness for too long Keep your scarf dry most of the time. Prolonged exposure to water will damage the silk fibers. Also, avoid twisting or wringing out the scarf to dry it out quickly. Ideally, you should press it between two dry layers as explained in step 3 above. Don’t use harsh chemicals and detergents Harsh chemicals, just like direct sunlight, may cause spotting or even cause the fiber of your scarf to weaken. Do not wash it in harsh detergents or leave it soaked for too long. You might want to use baby shampoo rather than your regular detergents. Allow it to breathe Don’t keep your silk scarf folded or hanged in your wardrobe for too long. If you are storing your scarf for prolonged periods of time, make sure to take it out every three months. This will allow air to circulate around the fiber. Silk, being a natural fiber, needs to breathe. How to iron your silk scarf Always iron your scarf with care. It is preferable to work on the reverse of the fabric. Make sure that you use the lowest setting to avoid burning the fabric. If you are planning to use a higher temperature setting, place the scarf underneath a cotton cloth or towel so it does not come into contact with the heat. How to remove odor from scarf As a global rule, silk scarves must be hand-washed. You may squeeze it to drain the water but very lightly only. Soak it in a mixture of water and baby shampoo, leave for two minutes and then dunk it up and down several times. Follow steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 as indicated in the first part of this guideline. Silk scarves are wonderful fashion accessories that every trendy person needs to keep around. If you have one, be sure to take good care of it by following the few tips we’ve shared with you above. < Previous Post Next Post >