Did you know that not all silk is equally… luxurious? That's why you might sometimes feel like what worked for one silk (or "silk") dress doesn't work for another. We've got tips on how to wash and iron your luxurious silk clothes.
Silk can vary in appearance, texture, color, and quality depending on its origin and type (e.g., Muga and Tussar are produced only in India). However, even within a single type, the differences can be significant, as the most popular Mulberry silk is divided into 11 grades, from the highest grade 6A to grades D, E, and F.
Why are there differences in washing silk?
Some luxurious wedding dresses and kimonos are made of silk obtained directly from unwinding silk cocoons ( reeled silk ). This smooth, reflective silk has a texture comparable to hair straightened with a flat iron and fixed. Such hair will lose its shape and texture after being thoroughly wet—just as a dress like this will lose its appearance forever after the first wash. Therefore, very expensive, custom-made garments should be professionally laundered (preferably in a trusted, pre-tested facility) or hand washed, without prolonged soaking.
Washing other types of luxury silk
However, the vast majority of garments are made from silk with a traditional satin finish. They don't require the same care as reeled silk, but they still need to be properly cared for by taking them to a dry cleaner or washing them in the proper conditions:
Detailed washing instructions:
- Summer water
- A good wool detergent
- Do not wring, do not rub
Drying:
- Lay it out flat, e.g. on a drying rack.
Ironing:
- The lowest program
- Iron inside out
- Dry - water droplets can leave permanent marks
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If you can't hand wash, it's a good idea to put your silk garment in a separate bag and wash it on a delicate wool cycle. |
How to care for clothes made of spun silk?
Another category includes garments made from scraps of silk yarn left over from the production of other silk threads and materials ( spun silk ). The texture can be somewhat "rougher" and less delicate than in "regular" silk weaves. This type of silk could be considered a second-class material, although today, in the spirit of zero-waste ideology, many people deliberately choose this type.
There is a second reason: caring for this type of silk is easier than for luxurious silks:
Detailed washing instructions:
- Summer water
- A good silk detergent
- Do not wring, do not rub
Ironing:
- The lowest program
- Iron inside out
Other types of silk…
It's common to equate silk with luxury. We hope this guide has proven that not all silk is equally luxurious , which translates into how it should be cared for.
Today, many people encounter silk clothing that quickly deteriorates. Why? Every year, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection imposes millions of złoty in fines for adulterating clothing compositions, and sometimes consumers mistake synthetic satin for pure silk or fail to properly care for clothes with complex compositions.
Important! Artificial silk, also known as "art silk," is increasingly available in fabric stores. It's most often made from lyocell, which indeed has very similar properties. How do you care for it? We've covered this in a separate article:
https://anataka.pl/blogs/news/material-przyszlosci-lyocell-co-warto-wiedziec
Because of this, some people mistakenly conclude that there's no point in buying silk clothes, as they don't look as elegant and wear out quickly. Therefore, we encourage you to buy your silk clothes from trusted suppliers who use the finest fibers. Then you'll truly feel the difference, and silk clothes can be passed down from generation to generation.