How to wash hand-painted silk

Table of Contents

A simple step-by-step instruction

How to wash hand-painted silk by hand, gentle suds, squeeze and rinse well.

Silk can be washed by hand, or in a washing machine on the GENTLE cycle for lingerie.

To wash silk by hand or in a washing machine:

NEVER soak
gently wash in warm water with small amount of liquid wash
when ready, squeeze out excess water and hold under running water until it runs clear
squeeze silk but DO NOT WRING, to remove excess moisture
lay flat on a towel, then roll up into a long sausage shape
put one end of the towel under your foot, then twist the towel until it is totally twisted
this removes most of the excess moisture
hang to dry 5-10 minutes, then use a hot iron while barely damp.

If you look after your silk, it will last you many years and the colours will be colourfast as long as you don’t hang the silk in bright sunlight.

Enjoy!

Word of Caution for how to wash silk

Many years ago a client ordered a silk coat and was very excited about when she could wear it!

We discussed how to wash and care for the silk, and my client was able to watch me painting a part of the design for about ten to fifteen minutes.

Whilst still in my Studio, I stressed the “hand painted by brush with silk dyes” part of the creation, and how it should never, ever be left wet or to soak in water for any reason as the DYES WILL SPREAD on the silk and possibly ruin the garment.

When my client came to collect her new hand-painted silk coat, I gave her a print-out with these same Wash and Care Instructions, and also sent her a duplicate PDF by email the same day.

My client said she understood the instructions

My lovely client assured me she understood, was eagerly waiting to show off her silk coat at an upcoming event.

Disaster – what happened at the event

My client called me about 5 days after the event, and this is what happened.

“Hi Teena, I got absolutely drenched in the rain on Saturday and I was wearing my silk coat!!

Someone lent me a plastic bag, so I took the coat off and put it in the bag to protect it from getting any wetter.

Well we’ve been busy since then, and I’ve just remembered the coat is in the bag.

I just removed it and I’m horrified! It’s a mess!

The colours have gone all splotchy and look dreadful!

As I paid you a lot of money for this coat, I’d like you to replace it because I now cannot wear it ever again.”

My response

Understandably my client was upset, and I let her catch her breath for a moment before I replied.

“Oh gosh! I’m so sorry you got caught in the rain!

Remember the conversations we had about getting the silk wet, and the PDF washing instructions?

As much as I’d like to, I’m unable to create a new coat or offer a refund because of the steps you took with the coat — which was totally out of my hands.

On several occasions in our conversations (via email) I provided clear instructions about never leaving the silk to soak or stay wet, as well as discussing that with you here in my Studio.

By placing the silk coat WET into a plastic bag and leaving it for five days, the silk dyes were allowed to spread into each other, and the colours made quite a mess.

It was in the bag for so long that it then dried out which made the “mess” permanent.

I’m sorry I can’t solve this for you, but I did clearly discuss with you why hand-painted silk should never be left wet, and you told me you understood. “

Of course my client was shocked I wouldn’t replace it, but did admit she should never have left the silk in the bag — or even put it in a bag to start with.