Care for Your Silk
Silk feels so good, beautiful, soft and cuddlesome that the moment it touches your skin, you'll see why it's called the queen of fabrics. Because silk is made from natural protein fibers, it's incredibly soft, smooth and has a beautiful drape. But let's be real, this luxurious material deserves a little extra love and care to keep it looking and feeling its best. To preserve silk's delicate nature and ensure its beauty and longevity, you need to take good care of it.
It's true that silk has a reputation for being delicate, but it's actually less high-maintenance than you probably think. With a little know-how, you can keep it looking and feeling fabulous without breaking a sweat. We're here to spill the tea on silk care so that you can ensure your Hevby silk item will stay looking as its best as the day you got it.
A Few Quick Tips to Start:
- If you want to clean your silk, hand washing is the safest bet, but always check the care label first. Our Hevby silk can well handle a gentle machine wash. Make sure to use a gentle, pH-neutral detergent for silk though. You wouldn't want your beautiful silk to get shrinked or hardened.
- When it comes to drying, air drying it is. Dryer is not always the best idea as extreme heat can damage the fabric and shrink it. But if you insist, then you should use the lowest heat setting possible.
- If you need to iron, keep the heat low or use a steamer.
- Store your silk beauties in cool, dry environments away from direct sunlight.
- We recommend changing your silk pillow covers at least once a week and replacing them every two years. The same goes for your silk eye mask.
- If you are sleeping with your jewelry on, it might get caught in your pillowcase, snagging and pulling at the delicate silk fibers and leading to tears and snags.
- Watch out for those little claws of your furry friends. They can be a real threat to your precious silk items.
Washing Your Silk
Taking care of your silk doesn't have to be a hassle. In fact, it’s pretty easy to keep your silk pieces looking as good as brand new once you know the tricks. Rest assured, you’re in the right place to learn all about it. Read on to discover the tips to washing, drying, ironing and even more to care for your precious silk items.
How Often Should I Wash My Silk?
Generally, we recommend washing your silk pieces about once a week. But everyone's skin is different, and your sleep habits and frequency of use might call for a more frequent wash, especially for your silk pillowcase and silk sleep mask. And of course, if it starts looking dirty or is stained, it's definitely time for a wash.
Hand Washing vs Machine Washing
There are a couple of ways to clean silk. You can hand wash it or pop it in the washing machine. Machine washing can be a lifesaver but hand washing is definitely the gentlest. If you want to keep your silk looking its best, giving it a good hand wash is the way to go. That said, not all silk items are the same. While some silk pieces can handle a machine wash, others are a bit more delicate. Always check the care label first. If it says "Dry Clean Only," it's best to listen to it. If it just says "Dry Clean" or "Dry Clean Recommended," a gentle hand wash wouldn't hurt anybody if you can't have it dry cleaned. But before you do, test a small hidden spot with water to see if the color bleeds or the fabric nature changes. Alright, let’s be real, most silk you find out there can be a bit of a hassle to care for. But don't worry about that with Hevby silk. It's totally different and super easy to maintain. You can actually toss it in the washing machine if you don’t feel like handwashing. Just remember to use a gentle cycle with cold water, a gentle detergent and a laundry bag. And one more thing: silk likes to be alone so wash it alone. No mixing with other fabrics! Now, don’t get us wrong, even though Hevby silk is pretty tough, it still loves a little care. Treat it like a delicate flower and it’ll keep that gorgeous shine.
Hand Washing Your Silk is Super Easy!
1. First, fill up a sink or basin with cold water.
2. Add a bit of gentle, pH-neutral silk detergent.
3. Swish your silk around gently to create suds. Silk is pretty quick to clean, but you can let it soak for up to 30 minutes if you want.
4. Once it's clean, rinse it out by gently swishing it until the water runs clear and there's no soap left. Be careful not to wring, rub or twist it. And that's it!
Detergent Choice
So you’ve got your washing method sorted—hand or machine. In both cases, choosing the right detergent is super important. You’ve probably heard that you should use a gentle detergent on silk. That’s true, but a gentle detergent isn’t just fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It should also be pH-neutral to keep your silk looking its best. Avoid detergents and fabric softeners with harsh chemicals like bleach, alcohol and protease. They can damage the fabric by breaking its natural fibers. For the best care, a detergent made specifically for silk is just the way to go.
How to Dry Silk?
Drying your silk is pretty simple, too. The best thing to do is let it air dry. Lay your silk flat on a clean towel to dry, away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade the color of your silk or cause some yellowing, so always dry it in a shady spot. This helps keep its shape and prevents it from stretching. If you’re in a rush, you can use a low-heat setting on your dryer, but still, air drying is always gentler.
How to Remove Stains from Silk?
A stain on your beautiful silk? Don't panic just yet. First things first: gently dab the stain with a clean, dry cloth to soak up any extra liquid. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain and make it even worse. For most stains, a gentle hand wash with a silk-specific detergent should do the trick. If the stain is persistent, you can try something a little stronger.
Try a gentle stain remover or maybe just a little bit of white vinegar mixed with water. Just remember to test it on a small, hidden area of the fabric first to make sure it doesn't cause any damage. Once you're sure it's safe, gently dab the mixture onto where the stain is with a clean cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes there, then you can rinse it off with cold water and dry with a paper towel. Remember, silk is delicate, so be gentle. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, as these can damage the fabric a lot.
If none of this works and the stain is still there, it might be time to call in the professionals and get it dry cleaned.
How to Iron Silk?
We totally get it, you want your silk to look as smooth and beautiful as ever. Ironing it can be tricky, though. If your silk is just a little wrinkled, try hanging it up for a bit first. If those wrinkles are still bothering you, you can iron it using the lowest heat setting. Just make sure your iron is set to "silk" if it has that option.
Here are steps for ironing so you don't accidentally mess up your precious silk:
- First, flip your silk piece inside out.
- Give it a quick spritz with cool water. Or, if you time it right, iron it while it's still a bit damp after washing. Remember, it should be just slightly damp, not soaking wet.
- Lay your silk flat on the ironing board, smooth it out.
- Put a clean, white cloth between the iron and your silk. This white cloth will protect your pretty fabric and prevent any color bleeding onto your silk.
- Set your iron to the lowest heat, or the "silk" setting if it has one.
- Gently put the iron over the silk, but don't hang around in one spot for too long. Instead of going back and forth, try lifting the iron and moving it to the next spot. Let the silk cool down for a sec before you iron the next part.
- Repeat until those wrinkles are gone for good.
Don't Want to Iron?
Another option is steaming. If you've got a handheld steamer, you're good to go. Fill it up with distilled water, hang up your silk, and get steaming. Just make sure to keep the steamer about six inches away from the fabric. If it gets too close or drips, you might end up with some water spots.
Don't have a steamer? No worries. Hang your silk in a steamy bathroom for about 15 minutes. It might just do the trick as well. You can also use your hair dryer for the same purpose. Just turn it on low heat and hold it a few inches away from your Hevby. It's a quick and easy way to smooth out those little wrinkles.
Storage Tips
Now that your Hevby silk is all clean and fresh, let's talk about storing it to keep it as clean, wrinkle-free and smooth as ever.
Silk is a bit picky about where it hangs out. It likes to be fresh and wrinkle-free, so don't stuff it in a drawer. Also, sunlight is a real danger to silk because it can damage its natural fibers and cause some discoloration. So, keep it away from bright windows where it gets direct sunlight.
The best thing you can do is hang it up in a dark closet or any other cool place that’s not too humid. But don't just use any old hanger. Those thin wire hangers, clip hangers or wooden ones can leave marks. Instead, go for a padded hanger or a non-slip one. It also needs to be properly aired because it can absorb odors. Give it some fresh air every once in a while to keep it smelling its best.
There You Have It!
Now that you've got all the silk-care secrets, you can enjoy your beautiful pieces without worrying. By considering these silk care solutions, your Hevby silk will stay soft, lustrous and looking brand new for a long time.
Silk Care FAQs
How to wash silk pillowcase?
You've got two options for washing your silk pillowcase: hand washing or machine washing. Hand washing is the gentler way to go, but it's up to you. If you choose to hand wash, fill up your sink with cool water and add a tiny bit of gentle, pH-neutral silk laundry detergent. Swish your silk pillow cover around gently and let it soak for a bit if you want. Then, rinse it out with cool water. But be super gentle. No wringing, rubbing or twisting!
If you want to machine wash silk, use a gentle cycle with cold water and a gentle detergent without any fabric softener or bleach. It's a good idea to use a laundry bag to protect your silk. Don't mix it with other fabrics.
Can I use a wool detergent to wash silk?
You can use wool laundry detergent for silk, but it's best to use a detergent specifically made for silk. This is because wool detergents aren’t specifically formulated for silk. Silk is a bit more delicate than wool, so a silk detergent is designed with its special needs in mind.
How to wash silk in washing machine?
First things first, use a gentle cycle with cold water and a gentle detergent. Don’t add any fabric softener of any kind of chemicals like bleach that can be harsh on silk. We recommend using a laundry bag to protect your silk. Don't mix silk with other fabrics.
Can I use white vinegar to wash silk?
Yes. You can use white vinegar on silk especially when removing a stain. It also works well for removing soap residue and brightening your silk. Just make sure to dilute it with water before using it directly on the fabric.
How to get wrinkles out of silk?
Getting wrinkles out of silk can be a bit tricky. Ironing is one way, but you gotta be super careful. First, always iron your silk item inside out. Use the lowest heat setting on your iron, the "silk" setting if possible. Always use a white pressing cloth between the iron and your silk to protect it from burning. Gently glide the iron over the fabric, but don't linger in one spot. Remember, less is more when it comes to ironing silk.
How to get stains out of silk?
Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth. Don't rub it though. Then, try a gentle hand wash with a silk-specific detergent. If the stain is still there, you might need to use a bit of white vinegar mixed with water. But always test it on a small hidden spot first. If the stain is stubborn, you might want to pay a visit to a dry cleaner.
How to dry silk pillowcase?
Air drying is best for your silk pillowcase. Lay it flat and keep away from direct sunlight. If you can’t wait that longer, you can use a low-heat setting on your dryer, but still, air drying is gentler on silk.
How long does silk take to air dry?
Silk usually takes around 4 to 8 hours to air dry completely.