How to Clean Urine Out of Silk

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Accidents happen. On your clothing, on your carpets, on your throw pillows or furniture, even in your curtains. Whether it's a potty training mishap, a pet problem or even incontinence, you sometimes find yourself in the precarious position of having to remove pee stains from silk. Follow these simple steps to get your silk fresh as new in no time.

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Things You'll Need

  • Soft cloths for blotting

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Diaper detergent (like Dreft)

  • Dish soap (like Dawn)

  • Plain sparkling water

  • Vinegar

  • Baking soda

  • Hydrogen peroxide

  • Rubber gloves

  • Paper towels

  • Scrub brush

  • Vacuum cleaner

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Step 1

Blot stains on all silk products with a clean cloth soaked in a little rubbing alcohol. Blow dry on the coolest setting.

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Step 2

Soak silk lingerie in warm water with a tablespoon of mild dish soap or diaper detergent. Rinse thoroughly, hang to dry.

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Step 3

Blot silk clothing with paper towels. Dry clean or soak the entire garment in warm water and either mild dish soap or diaper detergent. Spot-cleaning pure silk is risky, so it's best to do the whole article of clothing. Blot between two towels and hang to dry.

Step 4

Pour a little plain sparkling water or club soda on a clean towel and test it on a small part of your curtains that will not be visible, like the backside of the hem nearest the wall. Blot gently. If no dye comes up on the towel, you can go ahead and treat the urine spot.

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Step 5

Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water to clean urine out of silk carpets, couches or pillows. Test a small, out-of-the way spot first to make sure the following steps will not bleach out the silk.

Step 6

Sprinkle some baking soda on your test site once the vinegar and water solution has dried. Drizzle a mixture of 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon mild dish soap (not automatic dishwasher soap) over the baking soda and work it into the test spot. Let it dry, and then vacuum up any residue.

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Step 7

Repeat step 5 on the actual stain as long as it did not bleach out the silk. If you do see discoloration or fading on your test spot, first try rubbing alcohol, then clear club soda on another small spot. Blot well, and then sprinkle the baking soda. Let it dry and then vacuum. If that doesn't work, you will have to have the item professionally cleaned.

Tip

Always try the most gentle spot-cleaning method first. Check with the manufacturer for tips before trying to clean any fine fabric yourself.

Warning

Always test carpets and curtains for color-fastness before cleaning a large, visible spot.

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