How to Get Grease Spots Out of Silk

Don't let grease stains mar the luxurious look and feel of your silk.

For nearly 4,000 years, people have been enamored by a luxuriously soft and smooth material known as silk. This delicate fabric has long withstood the test of time and is still used for everything from clothing to linens. Silk requires special care and handling. A simple grease spot can cause seemingly big trouble for your silk fabric. With the proper precautions and materials, this notoriously stubborn stain can safely lifted from silk with minimal effort.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Dull utensil
• Baking soda or baby powder
• Bleach-free dish soap or hair shampoo
• Clean cloth
• Toothbrush

Instructions

1. Lay the silk flat with the stain facing up.

2. Blot the stain with paper towels to remove fresh grease. Do not rub or wipe because this will spread the grease, making the stain bigger. Gently scrape away old hardened grease with a dull utensil.

3. Cover the area with baking soda or baby powder. Both are effective for drawing the grease out from the fabric and absorbing it.

4. Allow the powder to sit on the grease stain for at least two hours. Overnight is optimal.

5. Brush away the baking soda or baby powder into the trash.

6. Lay the silk flat again with the stain facing up and drizzle a bleach-free liquid dish soap or hair shampoo over the area.

7. Gently work the soap into the stain with a toothbrush or a clean cloth.

8. Allow the area to soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

9. Hold the area under cool to warm running water to rinse away the soap. Scrub the area gently while rinsing and eliminate any residual grease.

10. Gently expel the excess moisture from the silk with your hands. Do not twist or stretch the fabric because this may damage it.

11. Hang the silk in a cool, well-ventilated area, so it will dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you opt to use a commercial stain removal product, check the manufacturer's label to ensure that it is safe to use on silk and follow the directions carefully.

• Do not use chlorine bleach or other harsh chemicals on silk.

References

• The University of Arizona; Silk Its Origin, Culture, and Manufacture; The Corticelli Silk Mills; 1914
• Michigan State University; Homemade Cleaners
• Silk Sheets Guide: Removing Stains From Your Silk Sheets
• Creative Homemaking; Remove Grease Stains from Clothes; Vincent Platania