Silk
How to wash and care for silk
• Silk shouldn’t be washed after every wear. Instead, hang silk garments to ventilate, away from direct sunlight which can damage the colour.
• Silk is best hand-washed with a specialist detergent in lukewarm water, without soaking as this can release some dye. Rinse the silk garment without wringing.
• To machine wash silk, wash at 30°C or lower, on a low spin using a small amount of detergent. A mesh bag can help protect silk garments from snagging or twisting too much in the washer.
• To dry, lay the silk garment on a towel and roll up the towel to absorb excess moisture. Then lay flat on a drying rack or hang to air dry.
• To iron silk, use the lowest temperature on an iron, or for an energy-efficient method, simply hang in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam will reduce creases.
The benefits of silk:
Silk’s lustrous quality comes from the prism‐like structure of its fibres, which reflect light. These low‐density fibres are spun into a lightweight, breathable yarn. Silk appears fluid and delicate, but this textile is surprisingly strong and was once used in the canopies of parachutes. As a non‐conductor of heat, silk can keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
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