Washing
Silk garments are made from delicate, protein-based fibers. Avoid washing them in a machine or rubbing them against rough surfaces. Instead, soak the garment in cold water for 5–10 minutes and gently hand-wash using a specialized silk detergent, a low-suds synthetic detergent, or a neutral soap; simply rinse thoroughly with clean water.
(1) Wash dark-colored silk garments or fabrics separately from light-colored ones.
(2) Wash sweat-soaked silk garments immediately or soak them in clean water; never use hot water exceeding 30°C.
(3) Use acidic or mildly alkaline detergents-ideally those specifically formulated for silk-when washing.
(4) Hand-washing is recommended; avoid vigorous wringing, twisting, or scrubbing with a hard brush. Gently knead the fabric, rinse thoroughly with clean water, gently squeeze out excess moisture by hand or with a towel, and air-dry in a shaded area.
Drying
After washing, silk garments should not be exposed to direct sunlight or tumble-dried with heat; instead, they should generally be air-dried in a cool, well-ventilated area. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can easily cause silk fabrics to yellow, fade, and deteriorate. Therefore, do not wring out silk garments to remove water; instead, gently shake them out and hang or lay them flat to dry with the inside facing out. Iron or smooth them out once they are about 70% dry.
(1) Iron when the garment is approximately 80% dry. Avoid spraying water directly onto the fabric; iron the reverse side and keep the temperature between 100°C and 180°C.
(2) For storage, the garment should be clean, dry, and folded neatly. Wrap it in cloth and store it in a wardrobe; do not use camphor or mothballs.
Ironing
Silk garments have slightly poorer wrinkle resistance than synthetic fabrics; indeed, there is a saying: "If it doesn't wrinkle, it isn't real silk." If garments become wrinkled after washing, ironing is necessary to restore their crisp, elegant, and attractive appearance. Before ironing, let the garment dry until it is 70% dry, then mist it evenly with clean water and wait 3–5 minutes before ironing; the temperature should be kept below 150°C. Do not press the iron directly onto the silk surface, as this can cause shiny spots (shine marks).
