To make a fashionable silk scarf last, you need to make sure you’re properly washing them. Read our guide to learn how to hand wash a silk scarf at home!
Silk scarves are a must-have fashion accessory for enthusiasts and lifestyle advocates. But you need to be careful with the wash instructions as some stains aren’t worth the fight, and could potentially damage your scarf as well! Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with the perfect guide on How to hand wash a silk scarf.
Warning
Do not machine wash or machine dry your scarves. This causes irreparable damage to the soft material. Instead, follow this easy 3-Step procedure to make sure your scarf remains spotless, smooth, and supple.
Take Stains Out
If you’ve got some stains or blots on your scarf, prepare them for cleaning before moving on to the next step, as they can spread and tarnish the rest of your scarf. To get rid of scarf stains:
- Place the scarf on a dry and clean towel.
- Make a cleaning solution. Use 1 part water and 1 part detergent of your choice.
- Using a cotton ball, absorb the cleaning solution onto it, and gently massage the solution onto the stain in circular motions.
- The stain should start coming right off the scarf as you gently massage in the detergent solution. Allow the stains to soak up the detergent for about 10-15 minutes.
Once you’re done loosening the stains off your scarf, let’s move on to hand-washing it.
Hand Wash
- Â Take a tub of clean, cold water, and mix in the detergent solution you prepared earlier. Mix it thoroughly in the water to prepare the scarf for a soak.
- Submerge the scarf entirely in the water and squeeze the water into the scarf. Avoid excessive rubbing as it might break the delicate fibers of your silk scarf.
- Let the scarf sit in the water and soak it up for about an hour.
- If the scarf lets out a lot of grime and dirt, rinse the water off and prepare a fresh detergent mix and let the scarf soak it up again. If you have a white scarf, you can also use an oxygen-based bleach to whiten and brighten your scarf.
- After that, prepare the scarf to dry. Using two towels, put the scarf between them, and gently pat the towels to absorb any excess moisture in the scarf.
Dry
Never machine-dry your scarf, even on low heat. Heat tends to break the fibers and fade the colors away from your scarf. Instead, place it in front of a fan and allow the scarf to air-dry. Besides, it is unwise to put scarves in the Sun as it can severely fade away the colors on your precious silk scarf. If you want to iron your scarf, iron it on low heat while it is still a little damp.
Restoring a Stiff Scarf
Old scarves tend to go stiff over time. Consequently, you can use this tip to restore some of the sheen, shine, and softness of your silk scarf.
- Take a mix of 60ml distilled vinegar and 2 liters of warm water.
- Then, soak the scarf in the mix and let it absorb the vinegar water. Avoid wringing or squeezing the scarf in the water.
- Rinse the scarf in clean water a few times.
- Finally, spread the scarf out on a clean, dry towel and press-dry it gently. Allow the scarf to air-dry.
That’s it! You’re done. Use this method to keep your scarves clean and supple.