How to Clean Silk Without Any Damage

How to clean silk curtains, throws, upholstery and other silk items properly. Essential knowledge for your house cleaning business.

Cleaning silk can be easy and stress free if the correct technique is used. Many people are afraid to tackle cleaning silk on their own. Silk will accumulate dirt and also collect odors if cleaning is not done periodically.

Cleaning Silk -- The Basics

Before learning how to clean silk it is important to understand the material itself. Silk is a natural protein fiber made from silkworms. It can be woven into fabric that can be sheer, nobby or wrinkly.

Never use harsh cleaners or chlorine bleach when cleaning silk. Also avoid cleaners that contain alcohol.

After cleaning the silk it is very important to remember when drying the material avoid drying in direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will damage the silk and change the coloring.

The best way to wash silk is to do it by hand and remember to handle the silk very carefully. It is also advisable to read any labels and tags on the silk. It's always best to follow manufacturers' instructions.

How to Clean Silk -- Best Techniques

One very good method to use when washing silk is to clean the silk in a mixture of borax in water. Just a spoonful of borax added to the wash water will help clean the silk material especially when washing in hard water.

When washing the silk use lukewarm water and a very mild soap. There are two very good choices for this and they are Ivory Liquid soap or any brand baby shampoo.

The silk should be placed in the mixture and gently swirled through the water never scrub the silk as it may damage the material. Did you know that just by adding a few drops of white distilled vinegar to the rinse water it will dissolve any soap residue and neutralize any traces of alkali?

The silk should never be soaked for more than just a few minutes. After the silk is cleaned never wring out or twist to remove any excess water.

To dry, take a clean white towel (white is the best to avoid any color fading on the clean silk fabric) and roll the silk to remove excess water safely. There are some newer washing machines that have a special cycle just for silk. But hand washing would be the best method to use.

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