What makes silk special?
For thousands of years, silk has been highly prized as one of the world’s most luxurious and exquisite garments.
In all silk varieties, 100% mulberry silk stands out for its extraordinary softness, natural luster, and breathability.
SilkYue specializes in embroidered silk garments, pants, and sachets, all crafted from reactive-dyed mulberry silk to ensure vibrant, long-lasting colors.
Gaining knowledge in the unique qualities of silk is the first step to mastering its proper care.
For the convenience of customers and brand partners, we have summarized the best silk care practices and provided the following reference guide.
This article will explain the basics of silk washing, silk stain removal, and silk wrinkle removal.
How to clean silk？
Silk as a protein fiber that is acid-resistant but not alkali-resistant and is degraded by light, so that requires special care when washing.
Improper washing will cause silk to shrink, fade, or become damaged.
Check the label on your silk garment before washing. Some silks are not water-washable, meaning the color will wash away after contact with water. For this situation, dry cleaning is recommended.
There are also special detergents for silk garments, which are designed specifically for silk garments and are gentle and comfortable.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hand Washing Silk
For most silk garments, the safest way to wash them is by hand in tap water or warm water (never hot water), as this gently removes stains without damaging the garment.
1. Fill a basin with tap water, preferably below 30°C.
2. Add a mild detergent—use SilkYue Silk Laundry Detergent, which is formulated specifically for silk. It effectively cleans without damaging the natural proteins that give silk its lustre.
3. Soak the silk garment for 3-5 minutes. Avoid soaking for too long.
4. Softly turn the garment by hand; avoid twisting or rubbing.
5. Rinse thoroughly in tap water until no soap residue remains.
6. Roll the garment in clean towels and squeeze out any excess water—never wring silk garments.
7. Lay flat or hang to dry, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Remember not to hang damp silk garments.
Distribution Guide for Machine Washing Silk
While hand washing is recommended, some sturdier silk products can be machine washed, such as plain silk pants or scarves without intricate embroidery. But you still need extra care and attention to the method.
1. Place the garment in a mesh laundry bag.
2. Use the delicate cycle with normal temperature tap water.
3. Be sure to use a detergent specifically designed for silk.
4. Do not mix with heavy or rough garments (such as denim or towels).
5. Do not use garment softener or bleach to avoid damaging the garment.
Drying and Storage Tips
Proper drying is crucial. Silk garments must be dried on a flat surface to prevent stretching and preserve their natural appearance.
Avoid tumble drying and drying in direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause silk to fade, shrink, and weaken the fibers.
Store silk in a cool, dry place, preferably in a breathable cotton bag.
How to Remove Stains from Silk?
Even the most attentive silk lovers sometimes encounter stains.
Whether it’s makeup, sweat, oil, fruit juice, or ink, knowing how to remove stains from silk is crucial to caring for the garment.
The key is to act quickly, use soft methods. If in doubt, please opt for a professional dry cleaning service.
There are four common stain removal methods: spraying, soaking, wiping, and absorption.
- Spraying: Using the force of a spray gun to spray silk detergent to remove water-soluble stains. Suitable for garments with tight structure and strong bearing capacity.
- Immersing: Allowing silk detergent to react with the stain on the fabric for sufficient time to remove the stain. It is suitable for garments with stains that are tightly bonded to the fabric and have a large area of stain.
- Wiping: Using a brush or clean and fine white cloth to wipe the stain. This is suitable for garments with shallow or easily removed stains.
- Absorption: After adding silk detergent to the stain on the garment, wait for it to dissolve, and then use cotton to absorb the removed stain. It is suitable for fine texture, loose structure and easy to discolor garments.
General Rules for Stain Removal
Test the cleaning product first, always on an inconspicuous area.
Work quickly; fresh stains are easier to remove than dried ones.
Blot dry and don’t rub. Because rubbing can cause the stain to penetrate deeper into the garment.
Avoid harsh chemicals: bleach, strong stain removers, and hot water can permanently damage silk.
Why use SilkYue silk detergent?
Regular detergents are often too harsh on mulberry silk.
SilkYue Silk Laundry Detergent is pH-balanced and specially formulated for reactive-dyed silk garments.
It removes minor stains while preserving the fiber’s natural luster and softness.
When to Choose Professional Dry Cleaning?
- Dark or stubborn stains (like ink, wine, grease).
- Large surface stains may spread when cleaned at home.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to take the garment to a trusted dry cleaner to avoid permanent damage.
By following these tips, you can easily treat minor stains at home and know when to seek professional help.
Learn how to properly clean silk to ensure your clothing and home textiles last longer and look their best.
How to Remove Wrinkles from Silk？
Wrinkles are common on natural fabrics, but removing them from silk requires extra care.
For a smooth, supple look without damaging the delicate fibers. There are safe and effective ways to restore your silk garments to their original luster:
- Method 1: Using Garment Steamers (Recommended)
For most silk products, the garment steamers are the safest option.
1. Hang your silk garment or scarf on a padded hanger.
2. Set your garment steamer to low or medium steam.
3. Hold the nozzle at least 6-8 inches from the garment.
4. Slowly move the steamer up and down until wrinkles disappear.
- Method 2: Low-Temperature Ironing
If you don’t have a steam iron, you can use a low-temperature (warm water) iron, but must be careful.
1. Turn the silk garment inside out.
2. Place an ironing cloth (such as cotton or muslin) on the garment.
3. Set your iron to its lowest setting or a dedicated silk setting.
4. Iron gently—do not drag the iron back and forth.
5. Allow the garment to cool before wearing or folding.
- Method 3: Hang Dry
Commonly used to remove minor wrinkles from silk garment.
1. After washing and draining the silk, immediately hang it on a wide, padded hanger.
2. Lightly smooth the fabric with your hands.
3. When air drying, let gravity smooth out any minor wrinkles.
Some important Notes
Never use high ironing temperatures, as this can scorch silk and damage its texture.
Avoid spraying water directly on silk, as this may leave water stains.
Never put silk garments in the dryer, as this can damage the fibers and cause wrinkles.
Follow these tips to learn how to safely remove wrinkles from silk, whether at home or while traveling.
Silk garment will look more elegant and polished, besides it will extend the life of the fabric.
Looking to buy fabric?
You can also purchase SilkYue’s exquisite fabrics and make your own favorite items.
Customization and Innovation
You can tell us the fabrics and styles you like (clothes, pants, sachets, bags, etc.), and SilkYue will make customized samples.
