How to Clean a Silk Scarf? My Tips

While the trend of silk scarves has made a comeback in recent years, more and more people are in need of advice and guidance on how to clean their silk scarves! With plenty of experience in maintaining and cleaning scarves, we thought to share some of our tips and tricks for cleaning and storing your silk scarf.

The biggest question always remains whether to hand wash or machine wash a silk scarf. Since our inception in October 2014, we’ve been maintaining and cleaning our scarves! See below for information on storage, cleaning, and dos and don’ts for caring for your scarf.

Cleaning Your Silk Scarf

The more you wear your silk scarf, the more dirt and oils will accumulate in the fabric.

When it’s time to wash your scarf, you may not know the safest way to do it without damaging the delicate fabric. Here’s what I recommend for cleaning your scarf:

HAND WASHING TIPS

Washing your scarf by hand will ensure thorough cleaning without ruining it. A washing machine can cause tearing and pulling in the fabric of your scarf, and you want to keep your scarf damage-free to help its lifespan.

The longer you can make a garment or accessory last, the better it is for the environment, the less waste there is! An average washing machine uses about 155 liters of water, which is another reason why we recommend hand washing your garment, it can reduce your water consumption.

DETERGENT TIPs

The detergent you use to wash your silk scarf is very important. You want to choose a detergent suitable for delicate fabrics, as this will ensure the safety of the fabric and colors. It’s important not to use bleach or abrasive stain removers.

HAND WASHING INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR SILK SCARF

1. Fill a small bucket with cold water to a low level. Hot water can cause your scarf’s colors to run.
2. Add your gentle detergent to the water.
3. Place your scarf into the water, ensuring it is fully submerged.
4. Soak for 5 to 10 minutes (do not over soak).
5. Swirl your scarf in the water at a slow pace with gentle movements.
6. Rinse your scarf with cold water.
7. When wringing out excess water from your scarf, do so by gently pressing it into a ball. Twisting your scarf can damage the fibers.
8. Lay your scarf flat on a surface and cover it with a towel of the same size or larger than your scarf. Roll your scarf with the towel, which will absorb the remaining moisture from your scarf.
9. Once the moisture has been absorbed by the towel, lay your scarf flat on a surface in a dry area to dry. Hanging your scarf to dry while it’s wet can stretch the fabric.

Dos and Don’ts

With a silk scarf, there are things to do and not to do, such as using bleach, leaving it in direct sunlight, or ironing it on high heat.

DON’TS

• Don’t iron your scarf when it’s dry.
• Don’t iron your scarf on high heat.
• Don’t wash your scarf with other clothes or colors; you don’t want colors bleeding into your scarf or vice versa.
• Don’t store your scarf in a damp area.
• Don’t leave them in direct sunlight; intense heat and UV rays can damage your scarf’s fibers and cause fading.
• Don’t put your scarf in the dryer as it can lead to loosening and eventually breaking of the fibers.
• Don’t use bleach or harsh chemicals such as perfume on your scarf; this can permanently stain your scarf.
• Don’t twist your scarf to remove moisture after washing; this can tear and stretch the fabric.
• Don’t put your scarf in the washing machine.

DOS

• Hand wash your scarf.
• Use a detergent suitable for delicate or silk fabrics.
• Iron only when it’s slightly damp and with a towel in between to protect it.
• Always iron on the “cool” setting.
• Air dry your scarf is preferred.
• Store in fabric pouches or airtight containers for long-term storage. You can also store with lavender sachets to deter moths.
• Hang flat in the closet for basic storage.