How to Wash & Dry Delicate Silk & Lace

Silk and lace garments require special care.

Delicate silk and lace garments require careful washing and drying procedures to avoid damaging them. While your t-shirts and jeans can be tossed in the washing machine for a spin and transferred to a clothes dryer, more exquisite garments warrant an alternative method of washing and drying. Often, a silk and lace article of clothing or lingerie is expensive. You can extend the garment's life and get the most for your money by expending the time and effort to care for it appropriately.

Things You'll Need

• Gentle non-chlorinated liquid washing soap
• Lukewarm water
• Sink basin with stopper or dishpan
• Thick cotton towel
• Drying rack

Instructions

1. Insert the stopper in a sink basin and fill it two-thirds of the way full with lukewarm water, or fill a dishpan two-thirds full of tepid water.

2. Add 2 tsp. of mild, non-chlorinated liquid soap to the water. Agitate the water with your fingers to form suds.

3. Place the silk and lace garment into the soapy water and soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Inspect the garment for remaining stains. Apply a bit of liquid soap to your fingertips and rub any stains that are present in the garment to remove.

5. Place the garment on a towel and drain the sink or pour out the dishpan. Refill the sink or dishpan with lukewarm water and swirl the garment around in the water with your hand to rinse.

6. Put the garment flat on a thick, cotton towel and roll up the towel with the garment inside. Press down on the outside of the towel roll with your palms to squeeze the excess water out of the garment. Unroll the towel and place the item flat on a drying rack to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have any liquid laundry soap, use baby shampoo to wash the item.

• Do not use a clothes washer or dryer to launder a silk and lace item, as either machine may damage it.

References

• "The Lingerie Handbook"; Rebecca Aspan and Sarah Stark; 2006