Cold water only
Under 30°C. Heat is what damages the fibre, not washing itself.
Care guide
Washing silk without fear
Silk's more forgiving than its reputation suggests. Four rules cover almost everything.
Details
pH-neutral detergent
A silk or wool wash. Skip anything with enzymes, bleach or softener.
Dry flat, out of heat
Roll in a towel to draw out water, then line dry away from direct sun.
Steam, do not iron
If you must iron, use the lowest setting on the reverse while slightly damp.
Do this, not that
Do this
- Hand wash in cool water, or a delicate cycle inside a mesh bag
- Use a detergent made for silk or wool
- Line dry in shade, away from radiators
- Store folded, somewhere dry
Not that
- Tumble dry, at any temperature
- Use fabric softener, bleach or stain remover
- Wring or twist to remove water
- Dry in direct sunlight
Details
Stains
Blot, never rub. Cool water and a little silk wash, worked from the outside in.
Travel
Fold rather than roll, and keep it in the pouch so it doesn't catch on a zip.
Longevity
Washed properly, 22 momme holds its lustre for years rather than months.
If it goes wrong
Softener is the one that's hard to undo
Most damage is recoverable. A hot wash shrinks the weave and fabric softener coats the filament, and neither comes back out. Write to us before you try anything drastic.