Silk Scarves...Wash or Dry Clean?

I brought several Silk scarves home with me from China. For myself, family and friends. They make great gifts and they are easy and light to pack! Because they are SILK, extra care needs to be taken when it is time to clean them.  Dry Cleaning is probably the best choice...but if you do want to clean them yourself here are a few helpful hints from the Queen of Clean; Linda Cobb and Martha Stewart's Housekeeping Handbook.

Also below are some picture's from the silk factory our group toured in 

Shanghai, China.

*All photos belong to Pine Creek Style by NeeCee

 The first stop, pulling the fibers from the mulberry silkworm cocoons.

 The silk, threads onto the bobbins (below) and then winds onto the large wheels (above). Do you see the threads that look like webs? The stick (shown below) helps to guide the silk onto the bobbin above it. Below the stick...are the cocoons resting in the water while they unwind.

Here (Below photo) they are getting the silk ready to use inside a comforter/blanket.

 Silk fibers are very strong. Silk is cool in summer and warm in winter.

 This size of silk ball will be used for "one layer" in a queen size comforter.

 Here they are stretching that ball of silk to the queen size form.

The outside cover, for the comforter, is underneath the silk layers. When they reach the desired thickness, they will zip the cover together. This factory makes 3 weights of comforters; light, medium and heavy. 

 Comforter's are sold individually in twin, full/queen, king and extra king. There were a large selection of Silk Duvet covers in many patterns and colors, to use with the comforters. The store at the factory had many, many beautiful silk selections to choose from; scarves, clothing, place mats, purses and more.

 A few of the scarves I brought home.

How to care for your silk....

Check the care labels for directions. Some silk is machine washable, but always check your label. Never bleach silk, it will damage the fibers. Some silk colors will bleed or if painted on, will wash off or become damaged. If silk is not colorfast, dry clean. If there are pleats, dry clean.

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Hand-washing is appropriate to any delicate fabric, such as wool or silk, as well as lingerie, vintage clothing or linens.

Silk:

Washing can damage poor-quaility silk, but most silk garments can be washed safely. To test silk quality, crush the fabric in your hand, then let go. If it feels full and "liquid" and smooths out quickly, it can be hand-washed. If it holds the wrinkles, have the garment dry cleaned. Before washing colored silk, test for colorfastness. Dampen the fabric inside the seam and wait a few minutes. Then dab the spot with a white cloth. If the color comes off, the dye will run when washed, and you must dry-clean the garment.

Wash white and colorfast silks in tepid water-no warmer than your skin-with mild detergent. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the first rinse to remove soap residue and restore luster to the fabric. then rinse thoroughly with water one final time. If the label on the garment says it's safe to iron, do so. Iron while the item is still damp for best results, with a cool iron, on the wrong side, and finish drying on a padded hanger.

Wear your Silk with Style....

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