How to Clean Silk Dresses

Silk dresses require special care.

Silk is a fine, delicate material that requires special care. When washing your silk dresses, it is important to pay attention to the care tag located inside the garment. Some dresses are labeled as Dry clean only and should always be taken to a reputable dry cleaning establishment. However, there are dresses that are able to be washed at home. Silk dresses should always be washed by hand, even if the tag states that machine washing is acceptable. Washing silk by hand ensures that the garment will not be affected by the violent movements of the washing machine.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup baby shampoo
• 1 tbsp. borax soap (Optional)
• 2 tbsp. distilled white vinegar
• Large towel
• Hanger

Instructions

1. Fill your bathtub half-full with lukewarm water and pour 1/4 cup of baby shampoo under the running water. If you have hard water, add 1 tbsp. of borax soap to the bathtub.

2. Submerge your silk dress in the soapy water, and rub it gently with your hands to loosen up any dirt.

3. Drain the bathtub and refill it with lukewarm water. Add 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar to the bathtub and then submerge the silk dress in the water. The vinegar will help to dissolve soap residue and neutralize alkali traces in the water.

4. Lay a large towel flat on a hard surface and then place the dress over it. Roll the towel up with the dress inside to remove the excess water.

5. Hang the dress up on a wide hanger and place it in a warm, dry spot to air dry. Keep it out of direct sunlight, as the sun's rays can cause the fabric to become discolored.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using harsh detergents and bleach on your silk dresses.

• Refrain from twisting or wringing your silk dress to dry it out, as this can cause wrinkles and damage the delicate fabric.

References

• Texere Silk: Cleaning and Washing Silk