Silk has a quiet weight and a surface that catches light. It is stronger than it looks, but it marks easily, so the care is mostly about avoiding heat and harsh movement. A little attention after each wear keeps the cloth clear and the colour even.
Start with the label
Read the garment label before anything else. A cool gentle wash suits most of our silk, but some pieces are cut and finished in a way that calls for dry cleaning. When the label asks for dry cleaning, follow it. When it allows a wash, use cool water and a mild detergent made for silk or wool, and keep the wash short. Wash silk on its own so that hooks and zips from other clothes cannot catch the surface.
Washing without strain
Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of detergent. Move the garment gently and let it soak for no more than five minutes. Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear. Do not twist or wring. Press the water out inside a clean towel, then hang the piece on a padded hanger to dry in the shade. Direct sun can dull the colour.
Steam rather than iron
Most creases lift with steam. Hang the garment in a bathroom after a shower, or pass a steamer lightly over the surface while the cloth is on the hanger. Hold the steamer a little away from the cloth and let the steam do the work rather than pressing it in. If you use an iron, set it to the lowest silk setting and press on the reverse through a clean cotton cloth. Never press a crease into the cloth with a hot iron, and keep water marks away from the surface.
Storing silk
Store silk on a padded hanger so the shoulders keep their line. Give it room in the wardrobe, because silk creases when it is pressed against other clothes. A cotton garment bag protects it from dust while still letting the cloth breathe. Fold scarves flat and keep them out of strong light. Returns follow the policy on the shipping and returns page.
