How to Take Water Spots Out of Silk Drapes

Silk is beautiful but sometimes tricky to clean.

Silk is a beautiful and versatile fabric for drapes, but it does have several drawbacks. One is a tendency to reveal spots caused by water, which can ruin the look of your drapes. While the best way to remove water spots is by having your drapes cleaned professionally -- and if they are dry clean only, this is the only option -- but if you don't want to do that or the spots are small, there are several techniques to try at home. Try the spot treatment methods for only one or two small water spots; try the washing method if your drapes have water spots all over.

Things You'll Need

• Clean white cloth
• Kettle
• Mild laundry detergent
• White vinegar
• Clean bath towels

Instructions

Spot Treatment Methods

1. Dampen a clean, white cloth with a little water, dab the water spots gently, without rubbing, and allow the spots to dry naturally. Examine the fabric when it is dry and, if the water spots remain, continue with some other methods.

2. Boil a kettle of water and carefully hold the stained part of the silk drapes over the steam. Move the silk around over the steam for a minute or two, being careful to keep your hands out of the way of the steam. Let the silk dry naturally before examining for any remaining water spots.

3. Prepare a dish of lukewarm warm water with a little mild fabric detergent, and make sure the detergent is completely dissolved. Dab a clean white cloth in the soapy liquid so that it is damp but not saturated, then dab (don't rub) any remaining water spots on the drapes. Rinse the soap out with clean water and let the silk dry naturally.

4. Prepare a dish of lukewarm water with a dash of white vinegar. Dip a clean white cloth in the solution, squeeze excess liquid out, then dab remaining water spots with it as in Step 3. Rinse the damp spots with cold water afterward, then let the silk dry naturally.

Washing Method

1. Fill a basin or bathtub (depending on the size of your drapes) with lukewarm water and add mild laundry detergent. Put the drapes in the basin or tub, submerging them completely in the soapy water. Swish them around a little to make sure they are saturated, then let them soak for about 10 minutes.

2. Drain the soapy water, fill the basin or tub with cold water and swish the drapes about a little to rinse them. Drain the cold water.

3. Fill the basin or tub with more cold water and add white vinegar -- use 1/4 cup for a basin or about 1 cup for a tub full of water. Swish the drapes around in this solution for a minute or two, then drain.

4. Rinse the drapes in cold water again, then gently squeeze excess water out of them. Do not wring them -- just squeeze gently.

5. Lay the damp drapes out flat on one or more clean bath towels, then roll them up with the towels, pressing as you roll, to squeeze out more liquid. Unroll the towels and allow the drapes to dry naturally, out of direct sunlight or heat.

Tips & Warnings

• After spot cleaning or washing your silk drapes, let them dry flat and out of the sun or direct heat.

• Only iron your drapes on the reverse side, use a press cloth and make sure you have your iron on a low heat setting. Do not use steam as this may cause new water spots and ruin all your hard work.

References

• The Silk Association of Great Britain: Caring for Silk
• Guide 4 Home: Silk Drapes - Silk Care
• Cleaning Tips Net: Removing Water Stains from Silk